Dawn
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Dawn - 19:55 Apr 16, 2026
HARIPUR: At least eight people, including children, were killed and 11 others were injured after a Sui Northern Gas supply line located near a factory burst and caught fire in the Hattar Industrial Estate of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Haripur district, officials said. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. Dr Munawwar Afridi from Haripur district headquarters hospital (DHQ), who is also associated with the rural health centre (RHC) in the Kot Najibullah union council, told Dawn that three of the bodies were brought to the DHQ and five others to the RHC. Haripur Deputy Commissioner (DC) Waseem Ahmed told Dawn it appeared that the deaths were mainly caused by suffocation. He separately told the media that three to four nearby houses located within a radius of 200 kilometres of the factory had been affected by the fire. Muhammad Amir, an official of the Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL), told Dawn that the affected supply line had a diameter of 16 inches and supplied gas to industrial estates up to Ab... -
Dawn - 17:48 Apr 16, 2026
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said on Thursday his country was “ready” for a possible US attack on the communist island following months of mounting pressure from President Donald Trump. “We don’t want that (confrontation) but it is our duty to be ready to avoid it, and if it were unavoidable, to win it,” Diaz-Canel told thousands of people attending a rally in Havana to mark the 65th anniversary of the failed US invasion of the island at the Bay of Pigs. Cuba has been bracing for a possible attack following repeated warnings from Trump that Cuba is “next” after he toppled Venezuela’s leader Nicolas Maduro and went to war against Iran. Washington and Havana have held talks on de-escalating tensions, but the discussions between the arch-foes have failed to make significant headway, according to US media reports. Mariela Castro, daughter of late president Raul Castro, said Cubans “want dialogue” with Washington but “without putting our political system up for debate”. She said her 94-year-old father — who o... -
Dawn - 17:22 Apr 16, 2026
ISLAMABAD: Not a single PTI leader arrived at Adiala jail on Thursday to meet incarcerated ex-premier Imran Khan, despite the names of the party’s heavyweights being sent to the prison administration. The Islamabad High Court has allowed Imran twice-a-week meetings — on Tuesdays and Thursdays — with his family, lawyers and other associates. Despite the order, the ex-premier has been largely restricted from meeting visitors for several months. Party leaders have been facing severe criticism for the last few months as they usually nominate the second or third-tier leadership for meetings with Imran on Thursdays. Meanwhile, on Tuesdays, Imran’s sisters consistently reach Adiala jail in an effort to meet their brother, regardless of the fact that such a meeting has not been allowed in recent months. For Thursday’s meeting, the party had decided to include PTI heavyweights to curb the criticism being levied against the leadership. The list of names sent to Adiala jail Superintendent Sajid Baig, available with Dawn... -
Dawn - 16:51 Apr 16, 2026
ISLAMABAD: Security arrangements in Islamabad were in overdrive on Thursday as speculation continued about the federal capital possibly hosting a second round of talks between the US and Iran. Speaking to Dawn, senior police officials said a meeting — chaired by the deputy inspector general of logistics — was held last night, during which a shortage of manpower in connection with the security arrangements came to light. Officials have also begun carpeting the Islamabad Expressway to remove bumps and potholes in a bid to ensure a smooth drive from Nur Khan Airbase to the Red Zone, they said. Meanwhile, police in the federal capital have also sought 7,000 personnel from Punjab police, 3,000 of whom reached Islamabad on Thursday, the senior officials said. Accommodation for the additional force has been arranged at different locations, including Liaqat Gymnasium and a school in F-7, they added. The remaining force from Punjab was likely to be sent from different districts, including Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Gujranw... -
Dawn - 15:18 Apr 16, 2026
AN HIV outbreak among children should have been a turning point for Taunsa’s main public hospital. Instead, an investigation by the BBC suggests that little has changed. Undercover footage from the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital, filmed about eight months after the government’s crackdown in March 2025, shows syringes being reused, injections administered through clothing, and unqualified volunteers treating children with contaminated vials — each lapse a potential death sentence. HIV is not like any other infection. It is a lifelong, incurable virus that weakens the immune system, leaving children vulnerable to repeated illness and dependent on continuous treatment to survive. The scale of the crisis in Taunsa is staggering. At least 331 children tested positive for HIV between November 2024 and October 2025, with infections continuing even after official intervention. Fewer than one in 20 parents tested positive, pointing strongly towards transmission within healthcare settings. Some children have died; others... -
Dawn - 14:57 Apr 16, 2026
ISLAMABAD: The capital administration on Thursday issued an amended notification regarding the closing time for markets, extending the restriction to bakeries and sports facilities. In a notification issued via the office of Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon, the previous April 6 order was slightly amended. Under “partial modification”, bakeries were told to close at 10pm, and sports facilities, including clubs and gymnasiums, to close by 8pm. According to the notification, effective April 16, “all shops, markets, and shopping malls shall be closed at 8pm throughout the week”. However, it added that pharmacies, medical supply stores, medical laboratories, hospitals, petrol pumps, CNG stations, and milk/dairy shops were exempt from the restrictions. “There shall be no restrictions on takeaway and home delivery services,” the notification read. Hotels, restaurants, food outlets, tandoors, grocery stores, kiryana stores, meat shops, vegetable vendors and bakeries will close by 10pm. Meanwhile, the ... -
Dawn - 14:36 Apr 16, 2026
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) confirmed on Thursday that Pakistan has received $2 billion from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The central bank said the funds were received “in the value date of April 15, 2026”. The development comes amid Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Saudi Arabia to push diplomatic efforts to promote peace in the Middle East. A day earlier, the kingdom pledged an additional $3bn in deposits for Pakistan and extended its existing $5bn facility for a further three years. On Thursday, the Saudi Press Agency also reported that Saudi Arabia had extended the $5bn deposit with the central bank and announced an “additional $3bn deposit”. “This assistance aims at supporting Pakistan’s economy and strengthening its resilience amidst evolving global economic challenges, and comes in accordance with the leadership’s directives to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood between the two countries, affirming the kingdom’s commitment to fostering the economic growth of Pakistan, which is expected to ... -
Dawn - 14:14 Apr 16, 2026
LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution on Thursday, which called for awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir for their efforts for peace amid the war in the Middle East. The resolution, a copy of which is available with Dawn, was tabled in the assembly by Punjab Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman. It commended Pakistan’s political and military leadership for what it described as a “highly effective diplomatic role” in promoting a ceasefire between the US and Iran, and fostering peace amid a tense international situation The resolution paid tribute to key figures, including PML-N’s Nawaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari, PM Shehbaz, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and CDF Munir. It expressed “deep appreciation and pride” over their leadership in navigating complex global challenges. According to the resolution, their “unwavering leadershi... -
Dawn - 14:12 Apr 16, 2026
Crowds gathered for the funerals of eight children and a teacher in southern Turkiye on Thursday, who were killed when a 14-year-old opened fire at a school in a crime that has plunged the country in to shock and the community into grief. As family members and mourners flocked around coffins draped in the Turkish flag in the province of Kahramanmaras, people also placed roses on the steps of the school that was attacked, locals still reeling at what unfolded a day earlier when the teenaged attacker arrived at the building with five guns and opened fire. “We have a tremendous pain,” said Vezir Yucel, whose son played football in the same academy as 10-year-old Bayram Nabi Sisik, one of the students killed at school on Wednesday. “He was such a good kid, respectful and very hardworking,” he told AFP outside the mosque after the funerals. His 11-year-old son Yusuf – standing next to him, was shaking and crying. Authorities said nine people died in Wednesday’s attack — eight children aged 10 and 11 and their teac... -
Dawn - 14:11 Apr 16, 2026
PESHAWAR: A man was “miraculously” found alive on Thursday from the site of a mine collapse 16 days after the incident took place in the Rustam tehsil of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Mardan district, the Rescue 1122 said. The rescue service said in a statement that the man was rescued from a tunnel in the Darang area. Eight workers were killed in the marble mine collapse on March 31 while three others were injured. One labourer, identified as Khyber from Mohmand district, was also reported missing. In a video statement, Rescue 1122 media coordinator in Mardan Syed Abbas said that the man found alive on Thursday from underneath the debris had been identified as Abdul Wahab. He pointed out that one of the deceased was also identified as Abdul Wahab, hailing from Mohmand, initially. He said that it was now being feared that Khyber had been killed in the incident. Abbas said the rescued man was being provided medical treatment at Mardan Medical Complex, and the Mardan deputy commissioner and Rescue 1122’s district emerge... -
Dawn - 13:59 Apr 16, 2026
No dates have been decided for the second round of talks between the United States and Iran, FO spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said on Thursday. “Nuclear issues are among the subjects being discussed by the countries,” he said while responding to a question during his weekly briefing. “We will not comment on the positions of Tehran and the parties involved in the negotiations. This is part of the parties’ trust in us,” Andrabi said, urging the media to refrain from speculations. The FO spokesperson further noted that the talks were ongoing with a high level of trust and “secrecy”. “It is essential for us to keep the negotiations confidential,” he added. When asked about the arrival and composition of the delegations for a second round of dialogue, he said, “Who will come, how large the delegation will be, who will stay, and who will leave — this is for the parties to decide.” “The details and information of the negotiations that we had were entrusted to us by the negotiating parties,” he added. He further stated,... -
Dawn - 13:21 Apr 16, 2026
Power Minister Awais Leghari on Thursday reiterated the government’s apology for excessive loadshedding, explaining that the external factor of the fuel supply crisis due to the Middle East war was one of the main reasons. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Leghari reiterated the apology for higher than promised “load management”, which the government had blamed on lower water availability for power generation. “If the public is facing any inconveniences due to us not providing electricity at night and during peak hours, I am directly answerable,” he said. “We apologise too but […] the circumstances are such that they are not in our control. Even then, we ought to apologise,” the minister noted. He said the country had a total shortfall of 4,000 megawatts (MW) due to two reasons: the shortage of fuel imports due to the ongoing Middle East war and reduced hydropower generation. Leghari said the required liquified natural gas (LNG) “stopped coming from abroad after April 1”. He pointed out that Qatar’s... -
Dawn - 12:33 Apr 16, 2026
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) on Thursday directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to finalise regulations for Islamabad’s informal settlements in petitions against the recent demolition drives in the federal capital. The development comes amid an ongoing demolition drive launched by the CDA, which has targeted informal settlements across the federal capital, as well as historic villages like Saidpur, Malpur and Nurpur Shahan. Thursday’s hearing was presided over by FCC Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan. During the hearing, he directed the CDA to formulate rules for regularising informal settlements in Islamabad. Lawyer Faisal Siddiqui appeared on behalf of the petitioner, while lawyer Qasim Chohan represented the CDA. Additional Attorney General Aamir Rehman was also present at the hearing. “Why have the regulations not been finalised yet?” Justice Khan asked the AAG during the hearing. At this, the AAG said that “there had been a delay due to the CDA chairman being changed,” assuring ... -
Dawn - 11:22 Apr 16, 2026
Fourteen-year-old Fadel al-Naji used to be a keen footballer but is now largely confined to his home in Gaza City since both legs were severed in an Israeli drone attack in September. He sits sullenly on a couch with one hollow pant leg dangling and the other tucked into his waist beside his 11-year-old brother who lost an eye in the same strike. Fadel Al-Naji, 14, who lost both legs after being injured in an Israeli strike, sits at his home in Gaza City on April 10, 2026. — Reuters “He has become withdrawn and isolated,” said his mother Najwa al-Naji, showing old videos of him doing kick-ups on her phone. “It is as if he is dying slowly, and I wish that they would fit him with prosthetic limbs.” But those are in scarce supply for Gaza’s nearly 5,000 war amputees — a quarter of whom are children like al-Naji — because of Israeli restrictions on materials like plaster of Paris, seven aid and medical sources told Reuters. Israel cites security concerns as the reason for restrictions. Palestinian amputee Omar Ab... -
Dawn - 11:13 Apr 16, 2026
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday expressed strong displeasure over the cutting of trees in the federal capital despite previous orders, warning the authorities of contempt proceedings in case of further violations. IHC’s Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro, while hearing multiple petitions against tree cutting in various sectors, observed that the court’s injunction orders issued on January 15 and April 8 had been ignored. Appearing on behalf of the petitioners, advocates Mudassar Latif Abbasi and Umair Asad argued that the Capital Development Authority (CDA) were continuing to cut trees without lawful justification. During the proceedings, Advocate Abbasi informed the court that more than 30,000 trees had been cut across Islamabad under the pretext of removing paper mulberry trees, without obtaining mandatory approval from the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA). He further pointed out that the CDA, in its para-wise comments, had failed to clarify whether any expert assessment w... -
Dawn - 10:58 Apr 16, 2026
Pakistan recorded a sizable current account surplus in March, it emerged on Wednesday. In a post on social media platform X, the State Bank of Pakistan said, “Current account balance recorded a surplus of $1,070 million in Mar 2026 compared to a surplus of $231 million in Feb 2026.” Adviser to the Finance Minister Khurram Schehzad said on X, “Pakistan’s external account continues to strengthen, delivering a third consecutive monthly surplus in 2026.” He said that the figures for March were “among the strongest monthly outcomes on record”. He said that the surplus was the “second-highest ever”, only behind $1.2bn in March 2025. “Pakistan’s external sector is firming up, with sustained surpluses signalling improving balance of payments stability,” he said. The current account deficit — a long-standing issue facing Pakistan’s economy — has been addressed by a significant reduction in imports, resulting in a surplus. Arif Habib Limited noted that for the first nine months of the current fiscal year, the country h... -
Dawn - 10:02 Apr 16, 2026
India’s government was seeking to expand the size of parliament by two-fifths to increase the representation of women lawmakers, but opposition parties have cried foul, saying it would benefit the ruling party. “We’re set to take historic steps to empower women,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, ahead of the special sitting of parliament on Thursday, to debate constitutional amendments to both expand seats for women and the overall size of parliament to over 800. The bill proposes fast-tracking implementation of a 2023 law in the world’s largest democracy of 1.4 billion people, reserving 33 per cent of seats for women. Increasing the number of women in parliament has, in principle, broad cross-party support. “We are all united to give rightful positions to women in India,” Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Thursday. Women currently account for just 14pc of India’s 543 members of the Lok Sabha, the lower house of parliament. To achieve the expansion, the government said it plans to redraw p... -
Dawn - 09:47 Apr 16, 2026
Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) police claimed on Thursday that they had arrested a suspected agent of India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) in Rawalakot, who had been blackmailed into working for the foreign intelligence agency. According to AJK Inspector General of Police (IGP) Liaqat Ali Malik, one suspect had been arrested who had allegedly been blackmailed into working for RAW. His handler, whom Malik said used a Facebook account with an address in Lahore, blackmailed him by initially assigning “small tasks” — beginning with commonplace activities and later involving geotagging, sharing coordinates, and recording videos of “sensitive” sites, including military installations, schools, bridges and other government buildings in AJK and elsewhere in Pakistan. “This time, the AJK police worked with sensitive institutions to take pre-emptive action and exposed this whole network,” Malik said, adding that the enemy forces had “trapped” innocent young people while causing damage to life and property. According t... -
Dawn - 09:29 Apr 16, 2026
The Pakistan Navy has successfully fired a locally developed anti-ship ballistic missile to engage targets at an extended range, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Thursday. “In a resolute display of preparedness and precision-strike capability, Pakistan Navy successfully conducted a live weapon firing of an indigenously developed ship-launched anti-ship missile, accurately engaging its target with high speed at extended range,” the ISPR said. @dawn.today The Pakistan Navy has successfully fired a locally developed anti-ship ballistic missile to engage targets at an extended range, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Thursday. “In a resolute display of preparedness and precision-strike capability, Pakistan Navy successfully conducted a live weapon firing of an indigenously developed ship-launched anti-ship missile, accurately engaging its target with high speed at extended range,” the ISPR said. It added that Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed ... -
Dawn - 09:15 Apr 16, 2026
Turkiye cracked down on Thursday on social media posts praising two school shootings in two days, which have left the country reeling, ordering dozens of arrests ahead of funerals for the victims, who were mostly children. Authorities said 83 people had been detained, hundreds of accounts blocked and groups shut down after praise for the attacks — one on Tuesday, which wounded 16 people, and one on Wednesday, which killed nine and wounded 13. Eight of the dead were children aged 10 and 11, and their teacher, 55. The suspects in both cases were also killed, authorities have said. Tuesday’s attack, in the southeastern province of Sanliurfa, saw an ex-student open fire at his former high school. Authorities said he took his own life when cornered by police. Wednesday’s was believed to have been carried out by a 14-year-old student who arrived at the school in the southern province of Kahramanmaras with five guns and opened fire. Authorities have said the student, the son of a former police officer, planned the a...
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