Dawn
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Dawn - 18:19 May 21, 2026
NAROWAL: A warning was issued on Thursday stating that the water level in the Chenab River will rise by more than three metres due to the opening of the spillway gates of the Indian Salal Dam, with a risk of silt flushing at the Marala Barrage. Sialkot Deputy Commissioner Saba Asghar has deployed the Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority to monitor the river. She told Dawn that an important advisory had been issued by India in view of possible emergency silt flushing at the Salal Dam on the Chenab River from May 21 to May 30. Asghar added that in view of the rising water level, a high alert had been issued at the Marala Barrage and adjacent areas, especially Bajwat. She also appealed to citizens to avoid unnecessary visits to rivers and canals and advised them to take precautionary measures. Additionally, the District Emergency Control Room has been activated, and citizens can contact 0529250011 for more information and guidance, Asghar said. The DC directed all relevant departments to monitor the Chena... -
Dawn - 18:11 May 21, 2026
Israel said on Thursday it had deported all the foreign activists seized by Israeli forces from a Gaza-bound flotilla, following global outcry over their treatment in custody. Israel’s foreign ministry spokesman, Oren Marmorstein, said that “all foreign activists from the PR flotilla have been deported from Israel”. “Israel will not permit any breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza,” he added. Earlier, the legal centre and rights groups representing the activists, Adalah, said all detained activists from the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla and Freedom Flotilla Coalition had been released from Israel’s Ktziot prison ahead of deportation. Adalah said it had received “official confirmation” from the Israeli Prison Service and state officials that the detainees had been released. “The majority of the participants are being transferred to Ramon Airport to be flown out of the country,” the group said. One of the organisers of the Freedom Flotilla mission, Thiago Avila, in a post on X, said, “Zohar, one of our... -
Dawn - 17:14 May 21, 2026
Security forces have killed 23 terrorists in multiple intelligence-based operations conducted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement released on Thursday. The military’s media wing said the operations were conducted over the last 48 hours in the areas of Datta Khel, Spinwam and Bannu. “Over the last 48 hours, during the conduct of these series of operations, own troops effectively engaged multiple khwarij locations. Following intense and fierce exchanges of fire, twenty three more khwarij belonging to Indian-sponsored Fitna-al-Khwarij,” said the ISPR. Fitna al Khawarij is a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), while Fitna al Hindustan is a term designated by the state for terrorist organisations in Balochistan. Among those killed was ring leader Jan Meer alias Toor Saqib, said the ISPR, adding that the ring leader’s death will give “a significant blow to the khwarij networks operating in these areas”. Meer w... -
Dawn - 15:53 May 21, 2026
A five-day-old group that channels Gen Z concerns has gone viral in India, overtaking Instagram followers of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), discussing issues like politics, inflation and unemployment — with a touch of humour. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has amassed nearly 15 million followers on Instagram in less than a week, compared with fewer than nine million for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP, which says it is the world’s largest political party. The CJP, whose logo is an outline of a cockroach on a mobile phone, calls itself the “Voice of the Lazy and Unemployed.” The group’s 30-year-old founder, Abhijeet Dipke, told Reuters the CJP was so named because of comments by Chief Justice Surya Kant last week comparing some unemployed youth to cockroaches. Kant later said he did not mean to criticise young people but was referring to those with fake and bogus degrees who were like parasites. “This is a movement to change the political discourse of India,” Dipke said from Boston, where he has ... -
Dawn - 15:48 May 21, 2026
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday lauded the “steadfast” Pakistan–China friendship, maintaining that Beijing has supported Islamabad in an “unwavering fashion unmatched in the annals of history”. The premier was addressing a ceremony in Islamabad to mark the 75th anniversary of Pakistan–China diplomatic relations. The prime minister began his speech by extending felicitations to the Chinese leadership and people on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan. “Seventy-five years ago, our founding fathers laid the foundation of our bilateral diplomatic relations,” he said, adding: “Pakistan was the first Muslim country to recognise China and one of the first countries in the world to do so.” “Through our mutual efforts and endeavours, and above all, sincerity of purpose, we have built a relationship that is second to none and very unique in the world,” he said. He said that throughout these 75 years, the Chinese leadership and people have stood with Pakistan like a “solid rock”. “Earthquakes, flood... -
Dawn - 15:46 May 21, 2026
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) successfully completed its pre-Haj flight operations on Thursday, according to a PIA spokesperson. This year, over 53,000 pilgrims were transported to Saudi Arabia for Haj via 210 flights of the airline, the spokesperson said. The success rate of these flights was 97 per cent, i.e., more than 97pc of flights departed on time. This was 7pc higher than the set target, the spokesperson added. Direct flights were operating from Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Sialkot and Quetta for the pre-Haj period. The post-Haj operation is due to start on May 30 and will end on June 30 this year. Meanwhile, PIA has completed the necessary steps for the post-Haj operations, the spokesperson elaborated. PIA’s pre-Hajj operation formally commenced on 19 April, with 49,000 pilgrims set to travel under the government scheme, while over 6,000 others under private Hajj group operators were also facilitated through PIA flights. Under the “Route to Makkah” facility, modern immigrat... -
Dawn - 14:53 May 21, 2026
When Donald Trump warned Iran on April 7 that “a whole civilisation will die tonight,” a European diplomat in Washington said his government wanted an urgent answer to a chilling question: Was the US president contemplating the use of a nuclear weapon? Across Europe and Asia, the concern went beyond whether Trump’s apocalyptic threat was real or bluster. One fear, the diplomat said, was that Russia could seize the moment to justify similar threats in Ukraine, triggering a nuclear crisis on two continents. European governments immediately sought reassurance through a traditional channel: the US State Department. But according to the diplomat, officials there gave an unsettling response: they didn’t know what Trump meant or what actions his words might portend. The previously unreported episode points to a historic breakdown in American diplomacy. At a moment when a uniquely unpredictable US president is rattling markets and capitals with dramatic pronouncements, governments around the world are scrambling for ... -
Dawn - 14:43 May 21, 2026
ISLAMABAD: After PTI leaders were denied a meeting with party founder Imran Khan yet another time on Thursday, MNA Ahad Ali Shah said it seemed his party would “now have to resort to agitation”. “We have reached a conclusion that the government will not arrange meeting with Imran Khan if the party remains peaceful. It seems that now we will have to resort to agitation as the government is not ready to listen to our peaceful requests and demands,” he said while speaking to Dawn. The Islamabad High Court has allowed Imran twice-a-week meetings — on Tuesdays and Thursdays — with his family, lawyers and other associates at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail, where he is incarcerated since 2023. Despite the court order, the former premier has been restricted from meeting visitors for several weeks. On Wednesday, MNA Ahad Ali Shah posted on X that the PTI had submitted a list of six leaders, including him, to Adiala jail authorities for their meeting with Imran. He told Dawn that the leaders reached the Adiala jail around 1:... -
Dawn - 13:37 May 21, 2026
BAJAUR/KHYBER: Two schoolchildren were killed after a quadcopter drone, reportedly operated from an unknown location, struck a hilly area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bajaur district on Thursday. Local residents and official sources told Dawn that the fatal incident occurred in the Shahi Thangi area, located about 25 kilometres from Khar, the district headquarters of Bajaur, around noon. They added that the children were returning home from school when they were hit, leaving them critically wounded. The two boys, aged 10 and 12, were immediately taken by locals to the District Headquarters Hospital in Khar for treatment. However, both were pronounced dead upon arrival, they said. It remains unconfirmed where the quadcopter was launched from and who was responsible for the attack. Meanwhile, sources in the local police told Dawn that they have launched an investigation into the incident to determine who was responsible and what the motive was. The killing of two innocent schoolchildren in the strike sparked condemn... -
Dawn - 12:13 May 21, 2026
The Foreign Office (FO) on Thursday condemned Israel’s unlawful interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters as well as the arbitrary detention and reported mistreatment of humanitarian workers. The statement came a day after Israel’s far-right national security minister posted a video showing detained activists from a Gaza-bound flotilla kneeling with their hands tied and foreheads on the ground, sparking international condemnation. In the statement released on Thursday, the FO said, “The government of Pakistan condemns in the strongest possible terms the unlawful interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla by Israeli occupying forces in the international waters as well as arbitrary detention and reported mistreatment of humanitarian workers onboard.” The statement said that those detained also reportedly included humanitarian activist Saad Edhi, son of prominent social worker Faisal Edhi and grandson of late philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi. “Pakistan demands the immediate release of all ... -
Dawn - 11:59 May 21, 2026
The Afghan Taliban government’s new decree governing the separation of spouses “reinforces systemic discrimination” and erodes the rights of Afghan women and girls, the United Nations said on Thursday. Published in mid-May, the 31-article code sets out various grounds for separation in Afghanistan, including a husband’s prolonged disappearance, “incompatibility” between couples, renunciation of Islam and “failure on the part of the husband”. The decree, which appeared in the country’s Official Gazette, also states that marriage contracts drawn up by relatives “on behalf of a minor boy or girl” can be annulled, which suggests child marriage is permitted in Afghanistan, according to the UN. In most cases, the procedures for women seeking a separation are more complicated than those for men. The document, approved by Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, “is part of a broader and deeply concerning trajectory in which the rights of Afghan women and girls are being eroded”, said Georgette Gagnon, deputy special re... -
Dawn - 11:32 May 21, 2026
Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir reaffirmed on Thursday that Pakistan’s fight against terrorism “will continue with full national resolve” until “enduring peace and stability” were achieved across the country, the military’s media wing said. CDF Munir made the declaration at an investiture ceremony held at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi to confer military awards on officers and soldiers of the Pakistan Army,” Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. The CDF was the chief guest at the ceremony, where he “conferred awards on the families of shuhada (martyrs), officers and soldiers in recognition of exceptional gallantry in operations and distinguished services rendered to the nation”, the statement said. It added that awards conferred on the occasion included 50 Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military) and 12 Tamgha-i-Basalat. “Medals awarded posthumously were received with honour by families of shuhada,” it said. “Shuhada and Ghazis remain th... -
Dawn - 10:18 May 21, 2026
Heatwave conditions are likely to persist across the country from May 25 to May 31, with the mercury expected to touch 50°C in some parts of the country, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said on Thursday. Pakistan will celebrate Eidul Azha on May 27 (Wednesday), while the federal government has announced a three-day public holiday from May 26-28 (Tuesday to Thursday). In an advisory, the department predicted that “high pressure is likely to develop in the upper atmosphere on May 25 and likely to strengthen on May 26”, under the influence of which, “moderate to severe” heatwave conditions are expected to develop from May 25 to May 31. It said the maximum temperature is likely to remain 4-6°C above normal and may rise to 47-50°C in the following districts: Sukkur, Shikarpur, Qambar Shahdadkot, Jacobabad, Larkana, Mohenjo Daro, Dadu, Shaheed Benazirabad, Tharparkar, Badin, Sujawal, Thatta, Hyderabad, Matiyari, Tando Muhamad Khan, Umerkot, Ghotki, Khairpur, Naushahro Feroze, Mirpurkhas, Jamshoro, Sang... -
Dawn - 09:01 May 21, 2026
Prince Rahim al-Hussaini Aga Khan V on Thursday expressed the desire to continue cooperation with Pakistan in various human development initiatives during a breakfast meeting hosted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said. Prince Rahim is undertaking his first visit to Pakistan since being named the spiritual leader of the Ismaili community last year. According to a statement by the PMO, the premier warmly welcomed Prince Rahim and appreciated his commitment to fostering peace, stability, and constructive engagement with governments and international partners. The prime minister also assured him of Pakistan’s shared commitment to these ideals. PM Shehbaz also highlighted the longstanding partnership between Pakistan and the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), and commended the organisation’s contributions in rural development, healthcare, education, disaster resilience, climate adaptation, renewable energy, digital skills training, and youth entrepreneurship, it said. He part... -
Dawn - 08:07 May 21, 2026
The Punjab government on Thursday banned multiple activities near airports and Pakistan Air Force (PAF) bases, which may pose a “serious risk” to flight operations and aviation assets, under Section 144 for 30 days. A notification issued by the Home Department dated May 19 said that, according to reliable sources, certain activities — including pigeon homing, the use of laser lights, and throwing of meat (sadqa) for the consumption of carnivorous birds around air bases and airports — may “pose a serious risk to flight operations and aviation assets”. It said that there were sufficient grounds to proceed under Section 144 as an “immediate prevention to disturbance of public peace, safety of lives and property of public and tranquility”. Therefore, the government banned pigeon homing; the use of laser lights by hotels, malls, or shops, etc.; and throwing of meat (sadqa) in open areas or on rooftops. The Home Department secretary, under Section 144(6) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), banned the activiti... -
Dawn - 08:01 May 21, 2026
Wanted terrorist ringleader among 5 militants killed in North Waziristan operation: security sources
A wanted terrorist ringleader was killed along with four other militants in an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Spinwam area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s North Waziristan district, security sources said on Thursday. As per security sources, Kharji Umar alias Jan Mir alias Tor Saqib had a bounty of Rs3 million on his head. It said that the Fitna al Khawarij ringleader was the mastermind of several attacks on security forces and civilians. Fitna al Khawarij is a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan. The security sources said that he had also laid down a network of underground bunkers, tunnels and explosive traps in the area around Bubali Mosque in Spinwam. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi lauded the security forces for the operation, particularly the elimination of the ringleader, terming it a “major success,” as per a statement issued via the interior ministry. Naqvi vowed that “terrorists and their facilitators will not be allowed to thrive under any circumst... -
Dawn - 06:11 May 21, 2026
Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader and Education Minister Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui has been made a member of the Economic Coordination Committee, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said on Thursday. The statement said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had approved an increase in the number of ECC members. “Minister for Education Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui has been included as a member of the ECC,” the statement said. “I am hopeful that Siddiqui will play an active role as a member of the ECC and contribute fully to the progress and development of the country and the nation,” PM Shehbaz was quoted as saying. The development comes a day after an MQM-P delegation, led by Siddiqui, called on the premier and presented the party’s proposals for the upcoming budget. According to the PMO, detailed discussions were also held on public welfare and development projects being carried out in Sindh and Karachi under the federal government. The meeting also discussed the overall political situation in the count... -
Dawn - 05:20 May 21, 2026
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission visiting Pakistan has concluded talks with authorities focusing on economic developments, fiscal plans for the next financial year, and progress on reforms under the country’s IMF-supported programmes, it said in a statement issued early on Thursday. The statement said that the mission visited Islamabad from May 13 to May 20, with the visit focusing on “recent economic developments, reform implementation, and the budget strategy for fiscal year 2027”. Iva Petrova, who led the IMF mission, was quoted as saying that “constructive discussions” were held with authorities on economic developments, including disruptions from the Middle East conflict, the upcoming budget formulation and progress on the reform agenda under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). “The authorities reaffirmed their commitment to a primary surplus target of two per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in FY2027, which will support fiscal sustaina... -
Dawn - 04:49 May 21, 2026
United States President Donald Trump’s administration threatened to revoke the visas of the Palestinian delegation to the United Nations if the Palestinian ambassador refuses to end his candidacy for the vice presidency of the UN General Assembly, according to an internal State Department cable seen by Reuters. In a cable dated Wednesday, US diplomats in its embassy in Jerusalem are instructed to deliver the message that Palestinian ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour’s general assembly bid “fuels tensions”, risks undermining Trump’s Gaza peace plan and would therefore face consequences from Washington if it went ahead. “To be clear, we will hold the PA responsible if the Palestinian delegation does not withdraw its VPGA candidacy,” the cable, marked sensitive but unclassified, said, referring to the Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited self-rule in the West Bank. Among the talking points provided in the cable to US diplomats, the State Department’s September 2025 decision to waive visa sanctions for... -
Dawn - 04:43 May 21, 2026
Pakistan has responded to claims by India during a meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), saying that the neighbouring country stands exposed by “terrorism, occupation, aggression, repression and disregard for international law”. The development came during a UNSC debate on the protection of civilians. During the debate, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Harish Parvathaneni, accused Pakistan of ignoring international humanitarian obligations, targeting civilians and a “long-tainted record of genocidal acts”, Times of India reports. He also reiterated the Afghan Taliban’s claims of targeting a hospital in Kabul earlier this year. The statement by India came after Pakistan earlier highlighted the plight of the people of occupied Kashmir. In response to the Indian envoy’s remarks, Pakistan’s representative Saima Saleem said, “India once again came to this council wearing the mask of a victim — but the world can see the face behind that mask. “It is the face of a state that exports terro...
10418 items