Dawn
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Dawn - 09:37 May 18, 2026
ISLAMABAD: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Monday approached the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) against the petroleum levy, arguing that the government had effectively granted itself unrestricted power to tax citizens through executive notifications without parliamentary oversight. The government had announced a petroleum and carbon levy on June 14, 2025, under an iron-clad commitment with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Last month, the government had cut the levy by Rs80 amid the global oil crisis triggered by the Middle East crisis. However, following the IMF’s condition of restoring an average Rs80 per litre petroleum levy on petrol and high-speed diesel last week, the government passed on a slight reduction in global oil prices to domestic consumers. The petroleum levy on petrol currently stands at Rs117.41 per litre, while the levy on HSD is Rs42.60 per litre. In a petition moved through senior counsel Imran Shafeeq, Rehman sought a declaration from the FCC that the present p... -
Dawn - 09:16 May 18, 2026
The Foreign Office (FO) on Monday strongly condemned the drone attack on the United Arab Emirates’ nuclear power plant, saying that “such reckless actions carry potentially catastrophic and irreversible consequences for human life, the environment and regional as well as global peace and security”. A day ago, a drone strike had triggered a fire near Barakh Nuclear Power Plant in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, reporting no injuries or impact on radiation levels, according to the UAE’s defence ministry. The UAE defence ministry said two other drones had been “successfully” dealt with, and that the drones had been launched from the “western border”. It did not elaborate. Emirati officials said they were investigating the source of the strike and that the UAE had the full right to respond to such “terrorist attacks”. The UAE has previously accused Iran of attacking its energy targets in what it has called an escalation of the conflict in the region. In the statement released on Monday, the FO said that “any deliberate... -
Dawn - 06:08 May 18, 2026
KARACHI: Two police personnel were martyred on Monday when a speeding dumper truck crashed into a police van parked on the M9 Motorway within the limits of the Gadap City police station, officials said. In a statement, Malir police said that a police mobile assigned for patrolling and snap checking was hit by a speeding dumper. As a result of the impact, both Constable Wajid and Sub-Inspector Sahib Dad Solangi were martyred on the spot, a police spokesperson said in a statement. “The speeding dumper was travelling to Karachi from Hyderabad. The driver has been taken into custody,” the spokesperson said, adding that legal action had also been initiated against the driver. Meanwhile, Motorway police also issued a statement, confirming that two cops had been martyred in the incident. “According to initial information, the dumper hit a police van parked on the side of the road,” the statement said. According to Edhi, the bodies of the martyred cops were taken to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for medico-legal formal... -
Dawn - 04:59 May 18, 2026
Oil prices extended gains on Monday as efforts to end the Iran war appeared to have stalled, after a nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates came under attack and as US President Donald Trump is expected to discuss military options on Iran. Brent crude futures climbed $2.01, or 1.84 per cent, to $111.27 a barrel by 0432 GMT, but were off the $112 they had touched earlier for their highest since May 5. US West Texas Intermediate crude stood at $107.75 a barrel, up $2.33, or 2.21pc, after a rise to $108.70, its highest since April 30. The front-month June contract expires on Tuesday. Both contracts gained more than 7pclast week as hopes dimmed for a peace deal to end ship attacks and seizures around the key waterway of the Strait of Hormuz. Last week’s talks between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping ended without an indication from the world’s top oil importer that it would help resolve the conflict unleashed by the US-Israeli attacks on Iran. Drone attacks on the UAE and Saudi Arabia and rhetoric ... -
Dawn - 19:37 May 17, 2026
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a phone call with his Qatari counterpart on Sunday and thanked the leadership of Qatar for its “strong endorsement and support of Pakistan-led peace efforts”. According to a statement shared by PM’s spokesperson for foreign media Mosharraf Zaidi on X, the premier had a “warm and cordial conversation” with Qatar’s Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al Thani, and the two leaders exchanged views on the evolving regional and international situation. “The prime minister thanked the leadership of Qatar for its strong endorsement and support of Pakistan-led peace efforts aimed at de-escalation and promoting regional peace and stability,” the statement added. It said that PM Shehbaz expressed his “deep appreciation for Qatar’s constructive role in regional diplomacy and for building a consensus in support of ongoing mediation efforts”. Both leaders agreed on the need for continued close coordination and dialogue among all stakeholders to address common challenges, it added. ... -
Dawn - 19:10 May 17, 2026
Islamabad and Baku are developing their ties under a trilateral framework involving Pakistan, Turkiye and Azerbaijan, President Ilham Aliyev said on Sunday. The Azeri president met with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz in Baku, where CM Maryam arrived on a three-day visit on Saturday to represent Pakistan at the 13th UN World Urban Forum (WUF13). “President Ilham Aliyev also emphasised that Azerbaijan-Pakistan relations are currently developing within a trilateral framework involving Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Pakistan,” read a statement issued by the Azeri president’s office on the meeting. During the meeting, the two sides “commended the development of fraternal relations and strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Pakistan”. “They discussed cooperation in political, economic, diplomatic, defence, and other fields, while also highlighting the importance of interregional cooperation and the strong potential for further expanding trade ties,” the statement said. It was also highlighted during the meeting... -
Dawn - 18:59 May 17, 2026
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has termed Pakistan’s emergence as a key mediator between the US and Iran as a “shining moment in our history”, crediting the “political-military partnership” for the change in the country’s image internationally. The premier made these remarks during an interview with The Sunday Times, as Islamabad remained engaged in efforts for de-escalation between the US and Iran. “It’s one of the shining moments in our history. Pakistan is acknowledged worldwide as an honest mediator and as a country in which international leadership has full trust and faith. It’s our shining hour, and I feel a very proud Pakistani — as do 240 million Pakistanis,” he was quoted as saying in the interview published on Saturday night. The PM’s expressed optimism even as military pressure and fears of renewed confrontation continue to shape the conflict that began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February. While a deal for a complete end to the war is yet to happen, hostilities have largely ceased since... -
Dawn - 18:09 May 17, 2026
QUETTA: The Balochistan government on Sunday imposed Section 144 across the province for a month. In a notification available with Dawn, the provincial government imposed a complete ban on gatherings of five or more than five persons, including sit-ins, processions, or rallies throughout the province for 30 days, effective immediately. The ban also extended to covering faces in public places, “particularly through the use of mufflers, masks, or any other means that obstruct identification”, as well as the display or use of weapons, pillion riding, tinted glasses on vehicles and using unregistered motorcycles. In light of the development, Special Assistant to the Home Department Babar Khan Yousafzai, in a statement, said that security had been placed on high alert. “If Fitna-al-Khawarij and Fitna-al-Hindustan make any attempt of any misadventure, they will be met with full force,” he said, adding that security forces remained ready to thwart such attempts and all institutions remained on high alert. The state ... -
Dawn - 17:48 May 17, 2026
ISLAMABAD: The National Highway and Motorway Police (NHMP) has imposed a ban on the entry of vehicles loaded with sacrificial animals on motorways, according to an official statement released on Sunday. “Overloaded, unfit, and improperly loaded vehicles often lead to traffic congestion and serious road accidents,” the statement said. It added that such vehicles would be diverted to alternative routes. The statement said that several vehicles transporting animals had been involved in “serious accidents” in the past, resulting in significant loss of life and property. “Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police have also been requested to establish check posts near motorway entry points and cattle markets to ensure the effective implementation of these measures,” it said. The statement said the initiative had been taken to “ensure the safety, security, and convenience of commuters travelling on motorways during the Eidul Azha season”. -
Dawn - 17:41 May 17, 2026
Pakistan expressed on Sunday “utmost satisfaction” over a supplemental award by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) that it said affirmed Islamabad’s position of the Indus Waters Treaty placing “substantive limits on India’s water-control capability” on Indus River system’s western rivers. The decision pertained to maximum pondage — a technical term for the maximum volume of water that could be stored in a reservoir — in Indus Waters Treaty proceedings arising from design disputes concerning the Ratle Hydroelectric Plant and the Kishenganga Hydroelectric Project in occupied Kashmir, a statement issued by the Pakistan government said. According to the statement, the supplemental award was issued on May 15. However, the decision has not been publicly shared by the PCA yet. Pakistan had first instituted arbitral proceedings against India regarding the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in 2016. And while India continues to boycott the proceedings, the court shares its procedural updates and decisions with both India... -
Dawn - 16:07 May 17, 2026
The Ruet-i-Hilal Committee announced on Sunday that the Zilhaj moon had been sighted and Eidul Azha will be celebrated on May 27. The announcement came after the committee met earlier today in Karachi for the moon sighting, while meetings of zonal committees were also convened in Islamabad, Lahore, Quetta and Peshawar. Addressing a press conference after the meetings, Ruet-i-Hilal Committee Chairperson Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad said skies were mostly clear in the country today except in some areas. Resultantly, moon sighting testimonies were received from Karachi and other cities of Sindh, Mardan, Rawalpindi, Peshawar and some other areas. “Hence, it has been unanimously decided that first Zilhaj 1447 AH will be on May 18 (Monday) while Eidul Azha will fall on May 27 (Wednesday),” he said. Earlier this week, the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) had also forecast that Eidul Azha was expected to fall on May 27 as the “new moon of Zilhajj 1447 AH is expected to be born on May 17... -
Dawn - 15:12 May 17, 2026
ISLAMABAD: The Directorate General of Immigration and Passports (DGIP) is set to introduce nationwide home delivery of passports and launch a chatbot to help applicants, Passports DG Muhammad Ali Randhawa told Dawn on Sunday. “Applicants will soon have the option to get passports delivered to their doorsteps,” he said, adding that discussions with a courier service company were under way for this purpose. “After an agreement is signed, the facility will be available across the country. Under this initiative, passports of those ready to pay nominal courier charges will be shipped directly to their addresses from Islamabad,” he said. Randhawa said authorities planned to extend the service to overseas Pakistanis in the second phase. “Meanwhile, a chatbot will also be launched soon,” he said. “Applicants will be able to get guidelines through it on procedures and document requirements, and check the status of their passports after submission.” He said this would also reduce the load on his department’s call centr... -
Dawn - 13:56 May 17, 2026
Opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy struck a fluent half-century after the bowlers dominated to put Bangladesh firmly in command of the second Test against Pakistan on Sunday. Bangladesh, who lead the two-match series 1-0, closed day two on 110-3 in their second innings, leading by 156 runs in Sylhet. Joy, who fell for a duck in the first innings, responded with 52 off 64 balls before falling to pace bowler Mohammad Abbas. Tanzid Hasan fell cheaply for four off quick bowler Khurram Shahzad, who later took down Mominul Haque for 30 in the final over of the day, while captain Najmul Hossain Shanto remained unbeaten on 13. Earlier, left-arm spinner Taijul Islam and speedster Nahid Rana took three wickets each to bowl Pakistan out for 232, giving Bangladesh a 46-run first innings lead. Babar Azam’s 68, which included 10 fours, was the only significant resistance from the visitors. Pace spearhead Taskin Ahmed removed overnight openers Abdullah Fazal and Azan Awais early and spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz dismissed skipper Shan ... -
Dawn - 13:53 May 17, 2026
The US Central Command has termed Pakistan a “critical counter-terrorism partner” that is “central” to the fight against the militant Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) in South Asia. The remarks were made by Centcom Commander Navy Admiral Bradford Cooper, who testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee earlier this week on the progress of ‘Operation Epic Fury’ — Washington’s campaign against Iran that began on February 28 and is paused for now. A statement issued after the briefing on May 14 also had remarks from Cooper on the US engagement in South and Central Asia. He told the committee that the “shared” threat of external operations emanating from Afghanistan continued to be “an animating force among our partners”. “Pakistan, especially, is a critical CT partner that is central to the fight against ISIS-K in the region,” Admiral Cooper said, adding that Washington and Islamabad’s “strong military-to-military partnership has produced tangible results against high-value individuals with American blood o... -
Dawn - 13:00 May 17, 2026
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi called on the Centre to address his province’s issues, asserting that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif “should take interest” in the matter. At the same time, he also said he had conveyed to KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to focus on the “province’s governance rather than Adiala” — a reference to the PTI’s efforts and frequent protests outside the jail in Rawalpindi for party founder Imran Khan’s release. Kundi made these remarks while speaking to the media in Islamabad after he met KP CM Afridi at the Governor House in Peshawar earlier in the day. Speaking to the media, he warned that the “people of KP have reached a point where if they take to the streets tomorrow, nobody could be held responsible for it”. Kundi urged the federal government to address KP’s issues, including the suspension of CNG supply and restrictions on wheat movement. “If Punjab has issues with supplying wheat to KP, then allow us passage to ensure supply from Sindh,” Kundi said, claiming that... -
Dawn - 12:29 May 17, 2026
PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Sunday administered the oath to five new provincial ministers. The ministers were sworn in a day after Kundi’s approval of the summary for the induction of 18 new cabinet members sent by the office of Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. Shafiullah Jan, Shakeel Ahmed, Tariq Mahmood, Nazir Abbasi, and Arif Ahmadzai took the oath, according to a statement issued by Governor House, where the ceremony was held. Minister-designate Adnan Qadri could not be sworn in as he was abroad. The portfolios for the newly appointed ministers are yet to be decided. CM Afridi, KP Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah, ministers, government officials, and political figures were among those who attended the ceremony. An official statement issued by Governor House on Saturday said Kundi had approved the summary for the expansion of the provincial cabinet with six new ministers, four advisers and eight special assistants to the chief minister. New a... -
Dawn - 12:00 May 17, 2026
The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Sunday declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda a “public health emergency of international concern”, posing risks to neighbouring countries. The WHO said the outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, does not meet the criteria of a pandemic emergency, but that countries sharing land borders with the DRC are at high risk for further spread. The UN health agency said in a statement that 80 suspected deaths, eight laboratory-confirmed cases and 246 suspected cases had been reported as of Saturday in the DRC’s Ituri province across at least three health zones, including Bunia, Rwampara and Mongbwalu. International spread documented, WHO says The DRC health ministry had said on Friday that 80 people had died in the new outbreak in the eastern province. The 17th outbreak in the country, where Ebola was first identified in 1976, could in fact be much larger, given the high positivity rate of the initial samples and increasing number of su... -
Dawn - 09:59 May 17, 2026
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Anti-Corruption Circle of Karachi has arrested two individuals, including a woman, for posing as government officials and illegally using state logos and emblems, it emerged on Sunday. According to an FIA spokesperson, the suspects presented themselves as representatives of the s0-called National Peace Force Committee for Interfaith Harmony Pakistan (NPFCIH). They allegedly used WhatsApp messages and visiting cards to claim they were government representatives to gain access to FIA officers. During the inquiry, the suspects could not produce any legal authority or official notification to support their claims. An analysis of their mobile phones revealed fake documents, membership cards, and counterfeit notifications bearing the emblem of the government of Pakistan. A case has been registered against them under Pakistan Penal Code sections: 109 - Punishment of abetment if the act abetted is committed in consequence and where no express provision is made for its... -
Dawn - 09:42 May 17, 2026
India is scrambling to salvage a sinking rupee as surging oil prices linked to the Middle East conflict threaten to disrupt the world’s fastest-growing major economy. The currency has dropped more than 5 per cent since the crisis erupted in February, extending losses from 2025 and making it Asia’s worst-performing major currency in 2026 so far. It hit a record low of over 96 to the dollar on Friday, prompting officials to signal that halting further depreciation is a key macroeconomic priority. India’s central bank has already poured billions of dollars to stabilise the currency, curbed speculative trading and offered a special credit line to oil importers to ease dollar demand. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also urged voluntary austerity measures to rein in dollar-guzzling imports, including cutting down on gold buying and foreign travel for a year. But the pressure persists. “The whole system has been disturbed,” said Dilip Parmar of stockbroker HDFC Securities, citing heavy foreign investor outfl... -
Dawn - 08:26 May 17, 2026
Australia’s Qantas was forced to divert a flight bound for the United States over a disruptive passenger, with local media reporting the man bit a flight attendant. The flight from Melbourne was headed to Dallas on Friday when it was forced to make a stop-off in Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia, due to the disruptive passenger. The man was restrained by fellow passengers, with local media including national broadcaster ABC reporting he bit a member of Qantas staff. The man was met by local authorities on arrival and has been slapped with a no-fly ban on all Qantas planes. “The safety of our customers and our crew is our number one priority and we have zero tolerance for disruptive or threatening behaviour on our flights,” a Qantas spokesperson told AFP on Sunday. The flight path of QF21 that departed Melbourne at 3:27pm and was diverted to Papeete in French Polynesia. — screengrab via Flightradar24
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