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Pakistan rules out unconditional talks with Afghanistan

Demands verifiable mechanism to end terrorist attacks from Afghan soil; FO says no formal Russian mediation initiative currently under discussion.

Updated 17 Oct, 2026 06:59am

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Iran's Guards say tanker exploded after hitting mine in Strait of Hormuz

Strikes hit airport complex in Yemen's govt-held Aden, Houthis claim attack.

Updated 17 Oct, 2026 10:06am

Imran being forced into Benazir, Nawaz-style deal, claims Achakzai

Demands authorities disclose whereabouts of Sohail Afridi; Mengal says those claiming to be framers of Constitution are "trampling it".

Updated 17 Oct, 2026 07:08am

Trump waives new Russia sanctions as Ukraine ties slump

Trump's reversal comes after he struck a deal with Putin to ease sanctions on Russia in exchange for Moscow releasing large amounts of diesel into global markets.

Published 17 Oct, 2026 10:02am

Pakistan among 10 countries bearing brunt of global hunger crisis, says report

International humanitarian organisation Action Against Hunger report sees 10.6m Pakistanis needing humanitarian assistance in 2026.

Published 17 Oct, 2026 07:32am

SC questions ‘lofty expectations’ in criminal cases

Expecting mathematical precision from eyewitnesses exposed to traumatic events is ‘unnatural and impractical’, Justice Ibrahim holds.

Published 17 Oct, 2026 04:56am

Govt cuts petrol price by Rs3.93 per litre

Following the revision, petrol will retail at Rs386.30 per litre.

Updated 16 Oct, 2026 11:08pm

LHC extends stay against deportation of Afghan students

PMDC counsel told the court that the prime minister office had issued a direction to the relevant authorities to allow the Afghan students to continue their studies subject to valid visa and immigration requirements.

Updated 17 Oct, 2026 09:01am

Terrorism has no link with Baloch values, says Bugti

Says the people of the province were increasingly realising that the Baloch were being pushed into a futile conflict.

Published 17 Oct, 2026 04:56am

Millions may be forced to move as climate change hits South Asia: UN

Rising seas, flooding, drought threaten homes and farmland, warns IOM chief.

Updated 17 Oct, 2026 07:17am

El Niño & Pakistan’s Smog: What’s the Real Connection?

Babar Azam at 32: Is He One of Pakistan’s Greatest Ever?

75 Years of Pakistan-Germany Ties: What Comes Next?

How AI Could Help Women Fight Legal Battles in Pakistan

Pakistan’s Development Problem: Too Many Projects, Too Little Impact

Pakistan Cricket in Crisis? Babar Out, Shadab Returns

Encounter Killings, Super Cops and Pakistan’s Police System

Metros

LHC extends stay against deportation of Afghan students

Plea against 10-day Basant festival rejected in LHC

Punjab Assembly body summons Gymkhana Club management over land lease controversy

NCCIA arrests two for defrauding US citizens in Lahore

Bodies of two youths buried under collapsed well retrieved in Sahiwal

MUST READ STORIES

When institutions forget whom they serve

Editorial: Govt must seize Achakzai’s offer to resume talks and end the political impasse

The security situation in Balochistan is far more daunting, yet no governor’s rule or state of emergency has been imposed there

When power prevails over the law, justice becomes an illusion for ordinary Pakistanis

BTS first group ever to log 10b annual streams on Spotify

What does assuming the chairmanship of the IMF, World Bank governing boards mean for Pakistan?

Coen brothers, the directing duo behind No Country For Old Men, Fargo to make another film together

Fakhar Zaman eyes one last shot at World Cup glory

Families of children killed in Peshawar school roof collapse demand justice

Editorial: Any further escalation in the Gulf or in Yemen will destabilise the whole region

Why do we continue to rely entirely on force to combat insurgency in Balochistan?

Dawn News English Podcasts

El Niño & Pakistan’s Smog: What’s the Real Connection?

Babar Azam at 32: Is He One of Pakistan’s Greatest Ever?

75 Years of Pakistan-Germany Ties: What Comes Next?

How AI Could Help Women Fight Legal Battles in Pakistan

Pakistan’s Development Problem: Too Many Projects, Too Little Impact

Pakistan Cricket in Crisis? Babar Out, Shadab Returns

Encounter Killings, Super Cops and Pakistan’s Police System

Branded Content

The IPO Pakistan has not seen yet

ABHI Microfinance Bank holds a microfinance banking license in Pakistan, branch and branchless, run with the speed and discipline of a technology company rather than a traditional branch network.

Reckitt Pakistan launches its first AI-powered long-format animation to help build healthy hygiene habits under Saaf Sehatmand Pakistan

Unveiled on Global Handwashing Day, Reckitt Pakistan’s animation adds a new chapter to the Dettol Hygiene Education Program, teaching children why washing hands with soap matters.

K&N's SmartCooking Recipes: Shami Kabab Chilli Garlic Rice

A quick and flavourful rice dish paired with crispy Shami Kababs, tossed with garlic, chillies and soy sauce.

Metros

LHC extends stay against deportation of Afghan students

Plea against 10-day Basant festival rejected in LHC

Punjab Assembly body summons Gymkhana Club management over land lease controversy

NCCIA arrests two for defrauding US citizens in Lahore

Bodies of two youths buried under collapsed well retrieved in Sahiwal

PM Shehbaz takes allies into confidence on KP governor's rule, says Centre made every effort to avoid 'extreme step'

Meets parliamentary leaders of MQM-P, IPP, BAP, PML-Q and PML-Z; tells a meeting of his party that after all consultations and arguments, it was decided that "this is the moment to save Pakistan".

Pakistan , Updated 14 Oct, 2026 01:48am

PM Shehbaz takes allies into confidence on KP governor's rule, says Centre made every effort to avoid 'extreme step'

PTI's Ali Zafar terms governor's rule in KP 'political crisis disguised as security solution'; ministers defend move

Senate session opens with debate on governor's rule in KP; PTI seeks production orders for 9 MNAs.

Pakistan , Updated 13 Oct, 2026 11:03pm

PTI's Ali Zafar terms governor's rule in KP 'political crisis disguised as security solution'; ministers defend move

PTI Chairman Gohar moves PHC against emergency, governor's rule in KP

Barrister Gohar requests high court to declare emergency proclamation as unconstitutional, "tainted with malice" and set it aside.

Pakistan , Updated 14 Oct, 2026 07:22pm

PTI Chairman Gohar moves PHC against emergency, governor's rule in KP

Makkah Alliance secretary general meets PM Shehbaz, briefs premier on defence cooperation

PM Shehbaz says Makkah pact “historic milestone for peace, unity, and stability" in the region.

Pakistan , Updated 14 Oct, 2026 02:51pm

Makkah Alliance secretary general meets PM Shehbaz, briefs premier on defence cooperation

National Assembly, Senate pass resolutions endorsing Centre's imposition of emergency in KP

PTI stages walkout in Senate; In NA, Bilawal calls for dialogue with opposition, says PTI carried out "political suicide".

Pakistan , Updated 14 Oct, 2026 08:23pm

National Assembly, Senate pass resolutions endorsing Centre's imposition of emergency in KP

Deeper poverty

PAKISTAN’S poverty crisis is far deeper than official indicators suggest. While the government celebrates economic...

Newspaper , Updated 14 Oct, 2026 03:01pm

Army conducts successful test launch of hypersonic Fatah-2 extended range missile: ISPR

Military's media wing says Fatah-2 ER capable of engaging enemy missile defence systems with its unique trajectory and manoeuvrability features.

Pakistan , Updated 13 Oct, 2026 09:35pm

Army conducts successful test launch of hypersonic Fatah-2 extended range missile: ISPR

Narrative confusion

The centre must say clearly how long it intends it to last, what it hopes to achieve in that time, and how the province’s elected mandate will be restored.

Newspaper , Updated 14 Oct, 2026 08:42am

A perfect storm

Without a popular political base, it will not be easy to run a volatile region.

Newspaper , Updated 14 Oct, 2026 08:50am

Faceless taxman

Corruption embedded in an algorithm can remain hidden.

Newspaper , Updated 14 Oct, 2026 06:13pm

Legal fraternity rails against emergency proclamation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

PBC members question constitutional basis for invoking Articles 232 and 234; IHCBA describes governor’s rule as an attack on public mandate provincial autonomy.

Pakistan , Updated 13 Oct, 2026 07:55am

Legal fraternity rails against emergency proclamation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Boy shot dead resisting rape attempt in Vehari

The primary school student went to a neighbouring house to drink water during recess when he was allegedly shot dead in mysterious circumstances.

Pakistan , Updated 14 Oct, 2026 09:56am

Boy shot dead resisting rape attempt in Vehari

Joint opposition flays move to ‘usurp KP govt mandate’

Opposition says Oct 11 would be remembered as a black day in Pakistan’s democratic history.

Pakistan , Updated 14 Oct, 2026 07:49am

Joint opposition flays move to ‘usurp KP govt mandate’

Pakistan worst hit by hunger in South Asia

Economic instability erodes household purchasing power; heavy rains, floods trigger acute crop losses.

Pakistan , Updated 15 Oct, 2026 04:07pm

Pakistan worst hit by hunger in South Asia

FCC rejects Bushra Bibi's petition seeking suspension of 7-year Al-Qadir Trust sentence

Judgment says court does not find sufficient ground warranting interference with an order by the IHC, which has declined to suspend the sentence as a plea against Bushra's conviction is pending before it.

Pakistan , Updated 14 Oct, 2026 06:26pm

FCC rejects Bushra Bibi's petition seeking suspension of 7-year Al-Qadir Trust sentence

PTI protest in KP's Bara turns violent as demonstrators clash with police

Reports of at least 5 protesters getting injured and govt buildings being set ablaze; police say 50 arrested.

Pakistan , Published 14 Oct, 2026 12:07am

PTI protest in KP's Bara turns violent as demonstrators clash with police

PM Shehbaz appoints retired Lt Gen Zafar Iqbal as SAPM on energy

Iqbal heads the National Coordination and Management Council.

Pakistan , Published 14 Oct, 2026 04:57pm

PM Shehbaz appoints retired Lt Gen Zafar Iqbal as SAPM on energy

Teacher, 30 students killed in Peshawar school roof collapse

Peshawar DC says rescue operation has concluded; PM Shehbaz takes "serious notice"; Governor Kundi seeks detailed report.

Pakistan , Updated 16 Oct, 2026 12:22am

Teacher, 30 students killed in Peshawar school roof collapse

Achakzai sees governor's rule next being imposed in Sindh, over water and mines

Urges Centre to give provinces their rights and resources.

Pakistan , Updated 15 Oct, 2026 12:50am

Achakzai sees governor's rule next being imposed in Sindh, over water and mines

‘Pakistan’s poverty rate higher than India, B’desh’

UNDP estimates 38.3pc Pakistanis face multidimensional poverty.

Newspaper , Published 13 Oct, 2026 07:00am

‘Pakistan’s poverty rate higher than India, B’desh’

Will China beat the US in AI?

Pakistan does not need to win the AI race. It needs to win from AI.

Pakistan , Published 14 Oct, 2026 06:54am

Omani FM meets PM Shehbaz, commends Pakistan's 'sustained diplomatic efforts' for regional peace

Two sides sign protocol for 8th session of Pakistan-Oman Joint Ministerial Commission, agreements and MoUs for bilateral cooperation.

Pakistan , Updated 15 Oct, 2026 12:16am

Omani FM meets PM Shehbaz, commends Pakistan's 'sustained diplomatic efforts' for regional peace

Lagging behind

The immediate task is to contain inflation and protect vulnerable households without reviving unsustainable subsidies or excessive demand.

Newspaper , Updated 15 Oct, 2026 08:23am

Cartoon: 14 October, 2026

Newspaper , Published 14 Oct, 2026 03:02am

US may have ‘gone too far’ in targeting Iran leaders

Trump says he doesn’t believe China, Russia are helping Iran.

World , Updated 14 Oct, 2026 07:40am

US may have ‘gone too far’ in targeting Iran leaders

OPINION

After the emergency

The government might survive constitutional challenges, but can face political risks.

Ahmed Bilal Mehboob

The real reset

Tariq Khosa

Terror & governance

Dr Raashid Wali Janjua

Imaginary justice

Rafia Zakaria

Persistence of force

Tariq Parvez

EDITORIAL

No talks

The government should understand that the PTI’s protest march and its reaction to it will look like nothing more than a storm in a teacup.

Strengthening LGs

THE ECP has done well to refuse to allow the Punjab administration to push the local government elections to April....

Lesser citizens

FOR decades, discrimination and prejudice have narrowed the space for the country’s minority communities. The HRCP...

POPULAR OPED WRITERS Over last 24 hours

Ishrat Husain

Don’t derail the transition

Pakistan is midway from crisis management to sustainable growth.

Khurram Husain

Provinces under fire

In the months to come, it is likely that the governments of Sindh and Punjab will be asked to grant more space to the federal government in the control of the resources they command.

F.S. Aijazuddin