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Dawn - 18:41 May 18, 2026
ISLAMABAD: Opposition lawmakers on Monday staged a protest on the National Assembly floor, demanding proper medical care for incarcerated PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan. During today’s session, PTI members did not point out a lack of quorum as the session commenced, which was chaired by Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa Shah. As soon as the session progressed, the leader of the opposition in the lower house, Mehmood Khan Achakzai, stood at his seat and said that the deadline had expired and the government was not providing the required medical care to the former prime minister. “We had given the government time until Monday to mend its ways in this regard and had announced that we would not be part of the proceedings,” he said, adding that the opposition would also boycott the budget session. However, as he spoke, his voice was cut off and his speech was not broadcast on any official channel. PTI lawmakers also gathered around the Speaker’s seat and raised slogans in favour of their leaders. The... -
Dawn - 17:56 May 18, 2026
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Monday said that India would be “relegated to history” and its geography “changed” if it attempted any future misadventure against Pakistan. In an interview on the Geo News programme ‘Capital Talk’, Asif said, “As a nation, India thinks that its esteem has been damaged.” The defence minister was referring to last year’s confrontation with India, beginning with the April 22 Pahalgam attack and the subsequent military conflict — which resulted in a resounding victory for Pakistan — until the ceasefire on May 10. Reflecting on last year’s standoff with India, Asif said that Pakistan’s armed forces had given India a “devastating” response. “If India attempts any misadventure against Pakistan, it would be relegated to history and its geography would be changed,” the defence minister asserted. The defence minister also criticised the recent remarks made by Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, in which he said that Pakistan had “to decide whether they want to be part of geograp... -
Dawn - 17:54 May 18, 2026
Iran’s top security body announced on Monday the formation of a new body to manage the Strait of Hormuz, which Tehran has effectively closed and wants to charge ships to traverse. On its official X account, the Supreme National Security Council shared a post for the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) saying it would provide “real-time updates on the #Hormuz_Strait operations and latest developments”. The account of the Revolutionary Guards’ navy shared the same post. It was not immediately clear what the new body would do but earlier this month Iranian English-speaking broadcaster Press TV said it constituted a “system to exercise sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz” and that ships passing through the strait were sent “regulations” from the email info@pgsa.ir. Iran has largely blocked shipping through the vital strait since the outbreak of war with the United States and Israel on February 28. A fragile ceasefire has been in place since April 8. Iran’s grip over the waterway has rattled global markets and ... -
Dawn - 16:43 May 18, 2026
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday reviewed the proposed Rs1.51 trillion Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for fiscal year 2026–27, with an emphasis on fully utilising development funds, especially by sectors that were performing satisfactorily. According to an official from the Planning Division, it was an initial meeting on the PSDP ahead of the forthcoming federal budget, and further meetings will also be held on the matter. The PSDP will be finalised in an upcoming meeting on the Annual Development Programme (ADP). The official told Dawn that the prime minister has directed that more funds be allocated to ministries and divisions performing well, while funding for those lagging behind be reduced. According to an official press release, PM Shehbaz emphasised that public money should be invested in development projects that ensure tangible results. The premier reviewed the current fiscal year’s development budget and proposed projects under the upcoming PSDP for the next fiscal year... -
Dawn - 16:11 May 18, 2026
By the time health officials confirmed new Ebola infections in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo last week, the total number of suspected cases meant the outbreak was already one of the largest on record. A series of challenges and missteps delayed detection, two Congolese officials familiar with the response told Reuters, allowing the disease to spread undetected into rebel-held territory in the east and across the border to the capital of Uganda. Local funeral practices helped the virus spread before any alarm was raised, diagnostic tests in a local laboratory were calibrated for the wrong strain of Ebola, and samples sent to Kinshasa were not stored or shipped properly, the officials said. Experts say the resulting delays risk hobbling efforts to contain the outbreak, which the World Health Organisation (WHO) at the weekend declared a public health emergency of international concern. “It’s just a scattered mess right now. I don’t think we have anything close to a real idea of how many cases there are,” ... -
Dawn - 15:44 May 18, 2026
LAHORE: Punjab’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a weather alert forecasting dust-thunderstorms and rain in several districts of the province from Monday night to Saturday. According to a PDMA advisory issued on Monday, a westerly weather system is expected to affect the upper parts of the country from the night of May 18 and is likely to persist till May 23. The authority predicted rain, windstorms and isolated hailstorms in Murree, Galiyat, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Khushab, Bhakkar, Layyah, Sargodha, Mianwali, Faisalabad, Jhang, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Okara, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot and Narowal with occasional gaps during the forecast period. PDMA Director General Umar Javed said that alerts had been issued to all commissioners and deputy commissioners across the province to ensure a timely response to any untoward situation. The advisory warned that strong winds and lightning could damage vulnerable structures, including electricity poles, billboa... -
Dawn - 15:10 May 18, 2026
Saad Edhi, son of prominent social worker Faisal Edhi, was reportedly detained by Israeli forces on Monday along with other members of the Global Sumud Flotilla after at least 10 boats were intercepted in the eastern Mediterranean. The organisers of the flotilla said Israeli forces had intercepted 10 of their boats and that contact had been lost with a total 23 vessels in the eastern Mediterranean. Earlier on Monday, Israel’s foreign ministry posted on X that it “will not allow any breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza”. In a video posted on Edhi’s official Facebook handle, Faisal said that at around 1pm today, “the Gaza aid flotilla was intercepted by Israeli forces near Cyprus and its members have been arrested, including Saad Edhi”. He also appealed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take action following his son’s detention by Israeli forces. “They were arrested in international waters and Israeli forces have no right to do so. Israel has arrested them illegally and their whereabouts are unknown... -
Dawn - 14:17 May 18, 2026
Veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim hit a glittering century as Bangladesh set Pakistan an imposing target of 427 to win the second Test after another commanding day for the hosts on Monday. Bangladesh posted 390 all out in their second innings on day three with Mushfiqur, who made 137, and Litton Das, who hit 69, putting together 123 runs for the fifth wicket. The 39-year-old Mushfiqur rolled back the years as he scored his 14th Test century, surpassing Mominul Haque’s record of 13 for Bangladesh. Pakistan openers Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal survived the last two overs of the day without scoring before bad light ended play. The visitors will need a record chase to level the two-match series after Bangladesh won the opener. Bangladesh’s Taijul Islam plays a shot during the third day of the second Test match between Bangladesh and Pakistan at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet, Bangladesh on May 18, 2026. — AFP West Indies currently hold the record for the 418 they scored to beat Australia in Anti... -
Dawn - 14:17 May 18, 2026
LOWER SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: At least three people, including prominent tribal elder and chief of the Ahmadzai Wazir tribe Malik Tariq Wazir, were killed while four others sustained injuries in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast that struck the busy Rustam Bazaar area of Wana on Monday morning, officials said. According to District Police Officer (DPO) Mohammad Tahir Shah Wazir, the explosion occurred near Gulshan Plaza when a vehicle with Tariq on board was passing through the market. The powerful blast resulted in the deaths of three individuals on the spot, while four others were wounded, the official said. The DPO said unidentified militants had allegedly planted explosive material near Gulshan Plaza during the night, which was detonated in the morning. Soon after the incident, police personnel cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to trace those involved in the attack. Residents and rescue workers shifted the bodies and injured persons to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital in Wan... -
Dawn - 14:13 May 18, 2026
The Pakistan Stock Exchange’s (PSX) benchmark index extended its losing streak to a seventh straight session on Monday as the market plunged by nearly 3,800 points. The KSE-100 index declined by 3,791.05 points or 2.29 per cent to close at 161,805.02 points from the previous close of 165,596.07. The market traded in red the entire day, recording an intraday high of 164,939.08 points at around 10am, before witnessing a steady decline to reach an intraday low of 161,613.51 points shortly before close. Investor sentiment has remained depressed amid a lack of tangible progress in the US-Iran negotiations, while concerns over the fragile situation in the Strait of Hormuz fuelled fears of further disruption to global oil supplies. Topline Securities Limited noted that KSE-100 “traded under sustained pressure throughout a highly volatile session”. It highlighted that “investor sentiment remained cautious amid the lack of meaningful progress in ongoing negotiations and continued uncertainty surrounding developments b... -
Dawn - 13:45 May 18, 2026
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is standardising the deadline for paying private-sector salaries to regulate wage payments across the country, Khaleej Times reported on Monday. According to a new rule introduced under the UAE’s Wage Protection System (WPS), salaries must be paid on the first day of each month for the previous month, while payments made after the first will be considered delayed. The rule is scheduled to come into effect on June 1. According to Khaleej Times, the decision was issued on May 12 following a ministerial resolution issued earlier in the month by the UAE’s minister of human resources and emiratisation. The resolution aims to strengthen compliance and ensure timely wage payments across private sector establishments. Under the new regulation, all companies registered with the ministry are required to distribute wages through the approved system or other authorised payment channels. Employers must also provide documents and data confirming salary payments. The UAE also outlined clear th... -
Dawn - 13:18 May 18, 2026
KARACHI: Alleged drug queenpin Anmol alias Pinky on Monday alleged she was facing pressure “to take names” as she was remanded into police custody for another four days in connection with a murder case. Anmol was arrested last week from her apartment in Karachi in connection with two cases pertaining to the possession of narcotics and an unlicenced weapon. She was already booked in multiple criminal cases prior to her arrest, taking the number of cases active against her to at least 15. On Monday, on the completion of her two-day physical remand in the murder case, Anmol was presented before South Judicial Magistrate Kalsoom Mustafa at the Judicial Complex inside Central Prison Karachi. It may be mentioned that the alleged drug peddler was already on physical remand in a separate narcotics case till May 22, while her judicial remand in 13 other cases extends till May 30. The magistrate directed the investigation officer (IO) to ensure that Anmol was interrogated in the presence of female police personnel and ... -
Dawn - 13:18 May 18, 2026
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday issued notices to the Capital Development Authority (CDA) on intra-court appeals filed by 20 apartment sub-lessees of the multi-billion-rupee One Constitution Avenue project, seeking protection of their possession rights after the cancellation of the project’s lease. The court sought the CDA’s response by tomorrow (Wednesday). A division bench comprising Justice Muhammad Azam Khan and Justice Raja Inaam Ameen Minhas sought a response from the CDA while hearing appeals filed by apartment owners, including former Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ehsan Mani and former air chief Mujahid Anwar Khan. During the hearing, counsel for the appellants argued that paragraph 30 of the recent single-bench judgment adversely affected the rights of apartment owners even though their possession and occupation of the apartments had been recognised. The court was informed that residential towers B and C were constructed in accordance with the approved layout plan, and that, aft... -
Dawn - 12:32 May 18, 2026
ISLAMABAD: The prime accused in the murder case of 17-year-old TikTok influencer Sana Yousaf retracted his earlier confessional statement admitting to the murder while testifying before the trial court on Monday, alleging that Islamabad police had falsely implicated him in the case. Last year, Umar Hayat — son of a retired government official and a TikToker himself — had confessed before a magistrate under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) that he shot Sana. In his statement, he admitted developing a one-sided obsession with her after online interactions, and said jealousy and suspicion drove him to commit the crime. On Monday, Hayat maintained in his statement under Section 342 of the CrPC that he was falsely implicated. Section 342 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) allows a trial court to question an accused person regarding any incriminating evidence against them. Its main purpose is to ensure a fair trial by providing the accused an opportunity to explain the circumstances before pr... -
Dawn - 12:06 May 18, 2026
PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Monday sought Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s intervention on an ongoing CNG crisis in his province, warning that the shortage was setting the stage for “widespread agitiation” across KP. The province has been affected by a compressed natural gas (CNG) crisis since April with several filling stations shut and millions of citizens struggling for affordable fuel. The situation has also negatively impacted the economic activity in the province. KP CM Afridi drew PM Shehbaz’s attention to the matter in letter on Monday. The letter stated: “I wish to draw your kind attention to the recent decision of the Petroleum Division regarding the curtailment of gas supply to the CNG sector in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reportedly due to liquified natural gas (LNG) supply disruptions and system constraints faced by the Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL). “While we fully appreciate that SNGPL is operating under a constrained supply environment and must manage line p... -
Dawn - 12:02 May 18, 2026
BAJAUR: At least two policemen, deployed with polio vaccination teams, were martyred in firing by unidentified assailants in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bajaur district on Monday. The attacks were carried out on the first day of a four-day anti-polio campaign across KP. In the first incident, Bajaur police spokesperson Israr Khan told Dawn that a 35-year-old martyred cop was returning home when the assailants, carrying rifles, opened fire on him. Separately, Salarzai Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Jamal Shah told reporters that the martyred cop, Constable Sayed Aziz, sustained multiple bullet wounds and died on the way to the hospital. Soon after the incident, a team from the Salarzai police station reached the site of the incident and began tracing the attackers, who had fled the scene, he said. The DSP said an investigation had been launched to identify the attackers. Meanwhile, the Bajaur police spokesperson said that the second incident also happened in Salarzai Tehsil on Monday afternoon, about two hours... -
Dawn - 11:48 May 18, 2026
ISLAMABAD: In a significant development in the £190 million case pending before the Islamabad High Court (IHC), counsel for incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi challenged the court’s order setting a deadline for concluding arguments in the appeals against their conviction. Imran — imprisoned since Aug 5, 2023, for concealing details of Toshakhana gifts — is serving a 14-year sentence at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail in the £190m case, also known as the Al-Qadir Trust case. An accountability court in Islamabad had sentenced Imran and Bushra to 14 and seven years in prison, respectively, on Jan 17, 2025, in the case. Subsequently, both had challenged their convictions before the IHC. Earlier in May, the IHC rejected their petitions seeking the suspension of their sentences in the case, observing that their main appeals were already fixed for hearing. Barrister Salman Safdar filed two separate miscellaneous petitions on behalf of the PTI founder and Bushra Bibi, contending that the April 30... -
Dawn - 11:12 May 18, 2026
The federal government has allowed temporary exemption of shops, markets and eateries from early closure timing of 8pm, state broadcaster PTV News reported, citing a notification, on Monday. The Cabinet Division notification dated May 18 states that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has given the approval to exempt “with immediate effect and till May 31” several entities from the closure timings specified in a April 6 notification. According to the latest notification, all shops, departmental stores, markets, shopping malls, bakeries, tandoors, restaurants and grocery stores have been exempted from the early closure timings for all days of the week. On April 6, the federal government had announced that all markets across the country, barring Sindh, would close by 8pm throughout the week as part of energy conservation measures amid a global fuel crisis triggered by the US-Israeli war on Iran. Meanwhile, the closure time for wedding halls, bakeries, restaurants, tandoors and other eateries was set at 10pm. Days lat... -
Dawn - 11:03 May 18, 2026
Social media is now working as a high-speed pipeline to move money comfortably outside the perimeter of financial regulations. On TikTok and other apps, likes, gifts and livestream donations are converted into platform-specific digital credits. A follower buys virtual currency with their debit card, mobile wallet, or bank account, then sends gifts to the TikToker or creator during live streams or content interactions. The app takes a commission and sends the remaining ‘amount’ to the TikToker’s internal wallet. Once you earn a minimum amount, or cross a threshold, you can withdraw or transfer earnings through payment processors, digital wallets, or linked bank accounts into your local currency. In practice, a transaction that begins as a seemingly harmless “gift” or online appreciation can pass through multiple layers — virtual tokens, platform wallets, payment intermediaries, and cross-border processors — before emerging as legitimate funds in a bank account. What appears on the surface as digital admiration... -
Dawn - 10:09 May 18, 2026
PPP stalwart and former Senate chairman Raza Rabbani on Monday said that there was “no need” for a 28th Constitutional Amendment, saying that the Constitution could not “bear the burden” if it were to happen. In a statement, he said, “The ruling elite should realise that the Constitution, 1973, cannot bear the burden of another amendment. There is no need for the 28th Constitutional Amendment.” He said that the 26th and 27th Constitutional Amendments had already “defaced” a number of the original provisions of the Constitution, particularly those relating to the judiciary. The former took away the Supreme Court’s suo motu power, while the latter made significant changes to the judicial system and the military’s chain of command. Rabbani said the “transfer of a judge without his or her consent impinged on the independence of the judiciary”. “The federal government should be looking at the backlash of these two amendments and, in consultation with the stakeholders, taking remedial measures,” he said. He further...
10418 items