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Dawn - 14:29 Apr 14, 2026
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif briefed President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday about his upcoming visits to Saudi Arabia and Turkiye “for further engagement to promote peace efforts” and took him into confidence on “all aspects of the dialogue” between Iran and the United States, a statement issued by the President’s Secretariat said. Pakistan hosted direct Iran-US talks in Islamabad over the weekend, marking the highest engagement between the two sides since 1979, seeking a resolution to the US-Israeli war on Iran. However, both delegations departed the capital on Sunday after the talks ended without an agreement, but also without a breakdown. It is now being reported that negotiating teams from the US and Iran could return to Islamabad later this week. On Monday, PM Shehbaz also told a meeting of the federal cabinet that “full efforts” were ongoing to resolve the conflict. The President Secretariat’s statement said PM Shehbaz called Zardari at the Aiwan-i-Sadr today, and the latter “appreciated the untiring ef... -
Dawn - 12:45 Apr 14, 2026
ISLAMABAD: Two policemen were injured as the Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) anti-encroachment operation in the capital’s Noorpur Shahan area was met with strong protest from residents. As the anti-encroachment drive began, enraged individuals torched two of the CDA’s vehicles in protest, with authorities resorting to tear-gas shelling to disperse the people. More police deployment was also sought to control the law and order situation. The development comes a day after a protest staged by the slum dwellers of Allama Iqbal Colony at G-7 forced the CDA to postpone its operation. When the enforcement wing started the operation, the residents resisted and created a law and order situation, forcing the team to leave after sealing two structures. Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) raised concerns over the CDA’s encroachment drives. Recalling a meeting it had convened, the HRCP said on X that activists, lawyers and citizens had urged superior court judges to “uphold the Supreme Court’s ... -
Dawn - 11:24 Apr 14, 2026
The Pakistan Stock Exchange’s (PSX) benchmark index rallied over 5,000 points on Tuesday, a day after shedding more than 6,000 points. The KSE-100 index surged by 5,043.51 points, or 3.14 per cent, to close at 165,634.84 points, from the previous close of 160,591.33 points. The index recorded an intraday low of 165,763.81 points at around 9:30am. However, it then rose to an intraday high of 165,763.81 points at around 3pm, before settling at 165,634.84. A day ago, the market shed 6,600 points in a turbulent session, as fears of supply disruptions returned after inconclusive Iran-US peace talks, triggering panic-selling at the PSX. However, another round of Iran-US dialogue was being actively pursued as Pakistan and others have stepped up efforts to prevent the fragile process from sliding back into confrontation, diplomats said. On the macroeconomic front, Fitch Ratings reaffirmed Pakistan’s long-term foreign-currency rating at “B-”, providing some underlying support for investor confidence. Market sentimen... -
Dawn - 11:12 Apr 14, 2026
On Andy Corriher’s farm in North Carolina, planting and preparations are underway for his corn and soybean crops — but fertiliser costs have surged on war in the Middle East, and orders he placed weeks ago have yet to arrive. The 47-year-old is among US farmers facing a double whammy of soaring fertiliser and diesel prices after US-Israeli strikes on Iran triggered Tehran’s blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for such shipments. “This time of year is when the majority of fertiliser is put out in this country,” Corriher told AFP. “We got hit at the worst possible time, because we’re trying to buy fertiliser when it skyrockets and when the supply also gets cut.” Andy Corriher examines his wheat crop at his farm in China Grove, North Carolina, on April 10, 2026. — AFP The cost hikes strike at a major support base for US President Donald Trump, who won 78 per cent of the 2024 vote in farming-dependent counties, said news service Investigate Midwest. Trump blamed “price gouging from the fertilise... -
Dawn - 10:14 Apr 14, 2026
Wisden has criticised Indian political interference in global cricket administration, labelling the current situation “increasingly Orwellian”. The UK-based Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, which dates back to 1864, is an annual record of all major cricket worldwide and is regarded as the sport’s “Bible”. In its 163rd annual edition, to be published on Thursday, editor Lawrence Booth highlighted what he sees as an unhealthy and politicised Indian dominance of the global game. The International Cricket Council has an Indian chief executive, Sanjog Gupta, and an Indian chairman, Jay Shah, who is the son of Amit Shah, India’s minister of home affairs and a longstanding ally of the prime minister, Narendra Modi. Wisden describes the Board of Control for Cricket in India, which Shah led before taking over at the International Cricket Council (ICC), as “the sporting adjunct of India’s ruling BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party)”. Booth also highlighted how politics intruded upon the 2025 Asia Cup, which took place against a ba... -
Dawn - 10:01 Apr 14, 2026
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday barred Zimbabwe pacer Blessing Muzarabani from participating in the next two editions of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). In a statement, the cricket board said that after a thorough disciplinary review, Muzarabani was declared ineligible to participate in the next two editions of the tournament, effective immediately. “This decision stems from a fundamental failure to honour agreed-upon commitments, an action that undermines the professional framework of the league,” it said. Although the press release did not make specific mention of the agreement, ESPNcricinfo reported last month that Muzarabani, who was slated to play for Islamabad United, would not be doing so after securing a deal in the Indian Premier League with the Kolkata Knight Riders. “The PCB maintains that professional cricket operates on the bedrock of trust and the certainty of agreements. In this instance, despite a clear offer and an unequivocal acceptance of essential terms, the player chose to di... -
Dawn - 09:30 Apr 14, 2026
An ex-student opened fire at his former high school in Turkiye on Tuesday, where school shootings are rare, wounding 16 people, including students, before killing himself, officials said. Special security forces were deployed to the school in southeastern Turkiye’s Sanliurfa province, where students were evacuated, the local governor, Hasan Sildak, told reporters. The former student, 19, used a rifle during the attack, after which those wounded were rushed to a hospital in the Siverek district, Sildak said. Twelve of the wounded were still in the hospital. Local media reported that most of the wounded were students. Television footage showed ambulances standing by outside the school as students fled the building in panic. “He took his own life when cornered by police,” the governor said. “We have evacuated the school and will carry out a thorough investigation into this tragic incident,” he added. -
Dawn - 09:13 Apr 14, 2026
The International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations (IFATCA) has expressed its appreciation for the professionalism of Pakistan’s air traffic controllers. The remarks came in a letter by IFATCA Asia-Pacific Region Executive Vice President Cheryl Chen, which was shared by the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) on Tuesday. According to IFATCA’s website, the apolitical federation provides guidance, representation, training, and other services to advance the status and professionalism of air traffic control. It has member associations in more than 130 countries from all corners of the globe. “I wish to express our sincere appreciation for the dedication and professionalism demonstrated by the air traffic controllers of Pakistan in recent weeks,” Chen said in the letter, a copy of which is available with Dawn. “Amid evolving geopolitical developments impacting regional airspace, Pakistan’s strategic position as a key corridor between Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe has resulted in a si... -
Dawn - 08:34 Apr 14, 2026
The Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Naveed Ashraf on Tuesday said that Pakistan’s armed forces stood ready to “deter any aggression” vowing to deliver a “befitting response” to any such act. He made the assertion while addressing the passing out ceremony of cadets of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in Risalpur. The naval chief, in his address congratulated the graduating cadets, expressing hope that they will “uphold PAF’s vision” with “commitment and dedication”. In his speech, he recalled the four-day conflict with India in May 2025 —Marka-i-Haq — and stressed that Pakistan stood “ever ready, vigilant, and capable to deter any aggression and give a befitting response”. The Pakistan Army had named the period of conflict with India, from the Pahalgam attack to the conclusion of Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, as Marka-i-Haq in May, 2025. He further stated that the armed forces, including the navy, stood ready to “enhance our capabilities and keep up with the evolving geopolitical developments”. “Pakistan’s outstanding... -
Dawn - 07:30 Apr 14, 2026
Dozens of protesters were detained by police in New York City on Monday during demonstrations calling for the blocking of arms sales to Israel and an end to US military support for its ally. Demonstrators included the anti-war group Jewish Voice for Peace, which said around 90 people were detained. Among those detained was whistleblower Chelsea Manning, a former US Army soldier and WikiLeaks source. The New York City Police Department said there were “multiple” arrests but did not provide a number. Clips from the protests showed a crowd gathering near the offices of US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and his Democratic colleague, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. Protesters chanted slogans like “stop the bombs”, “end the killings”, and “free Palestine” while expressing opposition to the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, Israel’s attacks in Lebanon and Israel’s assault on Gaza. The protesters also chanted “let Gaza live”, “let Iran live” and “let Lebanon live”. The US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28. Iran res... -
Dawn - 06:56 Apr 14, 2026
A man who allegedly threw a Molotov cocktail at Sam Altman’s luxury California home was trying to kill the boss of artificial intelligence giant OpenAI and in possession of an anti-AI document, US officials said on Monday. The claims came as prosecutors levied federal charges against Daniel Moreno-Gama, 20, over the attack on Friday in San Francisco. The Department of Justice said Moreno-Gama had travelled from his home in Texas to carry out the attack on Altman, whose company is behind the popular ChatGPT chatbot. “Violence cannot be the norm for expressing disagreement, be it with politics or a technology or any other matter,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “These alleged actions — which damaged property and could well have taken lives — will be aggressively prosecuted.” Prosecutors say that after lobbing a firebomb at the gates of Altman’s home, Moreno-Gama fled on foot to the San Francisco headquarters of OpenAI, where he tried to smash the glass doors of the building with a chair. He “stated ... -
Dawn - 06:50 Apr 14, 2026
Pakistan is considering Eurobonds, loans from other countries and commercial debt to replace a $3.5 billion facility from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and manage its foreign reserves, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said. Aurangzeb also told Reuters the shock from the ongoing war in the Middle East meant that Pakistan must consider a strategic petroleum reserve and a faster switch to renewable energy. “All options are on the table,” Aurangzeb said when asked if the government was in talks with Saudi Arabia for a loan that could replace the UAE facility. Pakistan will reportedly return a $3.5bn loan to the UAE this month, putting pressure on its reserves and risking breaches of its International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme targets. The country has been thrust into the international spotlight as it plays the role of a mediator between the United States and Iran to end the war in the Middle East. Aurangzeb, speaking on the sidelines of the IMF/World Bank annual spring meetings, said the country could man... -
Dawn - 03:46 Apr 14, 2026
• Households hit hard by outages as residents rush to eateries and LPG shops • Muttahida, PTI slam SSGC for failing to ensure supply during scheduled hours • Gas utility denies disruption, claims proper gas supply ensured ‘throughout meal times’ • Says optimal supply being ensured to power and fertilizer sectors KARACHI: The Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) has failed to ensure supply even during meal hours three times a day, leaving people across Karachi helpless and fuming amid unannounced gas cuts. The SSGC claimed that it was providing gas to domestic consumers from 6am to 10:30pm without any interruption. However, over the past two weeks, Karachiites have been complaining about unannounced loadshedding in their localities. The disruption led to a frenzy, with many rushing out to eateries and LPG stations in search of alternative cooking options. Restaurants and eateries, including roadside snack vendors, were seen crowded in several parts of the city with long queues, mostly for roti and naan. “It was cha... -
Dawn - 03:01 Apr 14, 2026
KARACHI: The government and Google have launched a joint initiative, ‘AI Seekho 2026’, to equip Pakistan’s youth with artificial intelligence skills through vibe coding. To accelerate the country’s transition into a global digital economy, Google for Developers, in strategic collaboration with the information technology and telecommunication ministry, Telenor and Innovista, has announced the launch of AI Seekho 2026. This nationwide initiative aims to equip developers and young professionals with cutting-edge artificial intelligence capabilities, entirely free of financial barriers. Multi-partner ecosystem As an unprecedented industry collaboration, AI Seekho 2026 is powered by a robust multi-partner ecosystem. Google for Developers leads the end-to-end execution, providing free cloud credits and platform access, supported by the Google Developer Groups and Google Developer Experts communities. In phase two, there will be a physical hackathon where developers participating in this phase will be required to bu... -
Dawn - 02:34 Apr 14, 2026
• Trump says Iranian navy ‘obliterated’, threatens to shoot at ships ‘anywhere close to blockade’; claims Iranian officials called him on Monday; reveals talks failed due to nuclear issue • US president says more countries to participate as Nato allies refuse to join Trump in blocking ports; Europeans to mull ‘defensive mission’ at conference • Iran says blockade akin to piracy, warns no port in Gulf will be secure • China urges parties to avoid escalation WASHINGTON/DUBAI: Despite a ceasefire and peace talks in Islamabad, the conflict between the US and Iran continued to escalate on Monday, as the American military blockaded all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports in a move that could push the region towards a fresh round of hostilities. The US military’s regional Central Command said the blockade would be “enforced impartially against vessels of all nations” entering or leaving Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. “The blockade will not impede neutral transit passage throu... -
Dawn - 01:33 Apr 14, 2026
KARACHI: The government is mulling over a proposal to amend the duties and taxes regime in the new auto policy in order to bring vehicles within the reach of the middle class. “Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is keen on making vehicles cost effective for the middle class,” the CEO of the Engineering Development Board (EDB), Hammad Ali Mansoor, told a media briefing on Monday. Three small electric vehicles in completely built-up form are due in Karachi during the third quarter of this year. This will be followed by work on building mega assembly plants in Karachi and Lahore, he added. Initially these vehicles will be priced at less than one million rupees, Ali Mansoor said. The auto policy, which is likely to be announced on July 1, has been forwarded to the ministry for presentation to the prime minister. “No assembler has sought any extension in the current policy,” he said. The CEO did not disclose other salient features of auto policy, but said the prime minister’s focus is on making small cars affordable fo... -
Dawn - 22:47 Apr 13, 2026
On Sunday, President Donald Trump stepped in to raise the stakes of an already volatile standoff, announcing that the United States Navy would begin “BLOCKADING” the Strait of Hormuz — delivered, in classic Trump fashion, the emphatic all-caps. The deadline passed at 7pm (PST) on Monday. The developments came after a night of diplomacy in Islamabad that promised more than it delivered, with inconclusive takeaways and very little to show for 21 hours of deliberations. The negotiations ended with a terse briefing from JD Vance, confirming what everyone had been hoping to avoid: nothing had been agreed. Judging from the string of off-the-cuff, rhetorically charged posts on Trump’s Truth Social feed, he appears to have revived what once again looks like the ‘madman theory’ — using brinkmanship and unpredictability as a strategic bargaining chip. He seems to be signalling that if Iran can rattle markets by blocking one of the world’s primary energy arteries, Washington can rattle them harder. The rationale is pret... -
Dawn - 20:06 Apr 13, 2026
LAHORE: Widespread loadshedding has been reported in urban and rural areas across Punjab as distribution companies (Discos) grapple with an increasing gap in supply and demand. The situation is reported to be worse in rural areas, especially those covered by the Multan Electric Power Company (Mepco), where, at present, discos are observing loadshedding on an hourly basis and up to 16 hours in some areas. “We cannot even sleep at night due to the loadshedding being observed by Mepco these days,” said Imran, a villager in Muzaffargarh district. “We are experiencing 12 to 16 hours of loadshedding almost daily,” he said, complaining that the Mepco area office had no words to justify their position. Tahir, a villager from Khanewal district’s Kabirwala area, said that loadshedding was being observed for up to six to eight hours in his area. “This has started all of a sudden, as the situation was not bad five to six days ago,” he said. “We are experiencing loadshedding for four hours daily these days in our urban ar... -
Dawn - 19:59 Apr 13, 2026
The Pakistan Customs said on Monday that two of its preventive officers had been arrested on charges of “swapping 400 kilogrammes of seized silver bullion with lead”. In a statement on X, the Pakistan Customs said the alleged replacement of silver with lead was carried out “during official transportation from Quetta to Pakistan Mint Lahore”. A first information report had been registered and both officers were in custody, the statement said. It added, “The officers were officially deputed to transport 688 kg of confiscated silver in 36 sealed boxes via Pakistan International Airlines from Quetta to Lahore. Upon unpacking at Pakistan Mint, 400 kg of silver was found to have been replaced with fake lead bricks of identical weight and packaging.” According to the statement, CCTV footage from Safe City in Quetta “confirmed the deliberate swapping of the transportation vehicle carrying the original silver”. -
Dawn - 19:38 Apr 13, 2026
The Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) on Monday announced that one of its submarine cables would be undergoing a repair from April 14, and the maintenance work could last till April 20. The users may face service degradation in the evening during this time, PTCL said. The state-owned telecom giant manages three undersea optical fibre cable networks that provide international internet connectivity to Pakistan. The combined capacity of all six submarine cable systems serving the country, including three PTCL cable systems, two submarine cable systems of Trans World Associates (Pvt) Ltd and PEACE cable of Cyber Internet Services, stands at 13Tbps, while national usage currently ranges between 7 and 8 Tbps.
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