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IRGC says it downs another US drone near Strait of Hormuz

Saudi coalition says intercepted Houthi missile fired toward Eastern Province; US warns Gulf allies to prepare for potential strikes on Iran after midterms.

Updated 29 Oct, 2026 10:50am

Singapore foreign minister to undertake official visit to Pakistan on Oct 30

Dar and Dr Balakrishnan will hold bilateral talks covering the entire spectrum of Pakistan-Singapore relations and exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual interest, the FO says.

Published 29 Oct, 2026 12:10pm

At least 5 killed, over two dozen injured as bus plunges into drain in Punjab's Hafizabad

Overspeeding caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle, rescue officials say.

Updated 29 Oct, 2026 10:32am

Afghanistan opium poppy cultivation surges despite Taliban govt ban: UN

Cultivated areas reached 43,000 hectares in 2025, up from 10,000; “Without opium, we cannot even afford basic food,” says a farmer.

Published 29 Oct, 2026 12:35pm

Death toll from Thar ambulance fire rises to nine: district official

President Zardari orders inquiry into incident, CM Murad announces compensation of Rs2 million each for families of victims.

Published 29 Oct, 2026 12:55pm

Health ministry halts vaccination process for pilgrims, overseas job seekers as ‘flawed’ tender scrapped

BHS vaccination setup abolished after probe exposes severe flaws, financial irregularities in a previous contract; pilgrims asked to arrange mandatory vaccinations directly through their travel agents for now.

Published 29 Oct, 2026 07:48am

Diesel price nears Rs400 as govt adds over a rupee to petrol, HSD rates

Following the revision, petrol will retail at Rs377.91 per litre, while HSD will cost Rs399.82 per litre.

Published 28 Oct, 2026 11:07pm

Pillion riding banned in KP's Bajaur for 10 days owing to security situation

Notification says there is a possibility of the use of motorcycles in terrorist activities and immediate preventive measures are needed.

Published 29 Oct, 2026 12:32pm

Arrest warrants for Sohail Afridi, others out in Radio Pakistan attack case

Punjab Forensic Science Authority concludes that facial features of the five accused match those seen allegedly participating in the rioting in video footage; next hearing on Nov 4.

Updated 29 Oct, 2026 08:07am

Inquiry holds school owner responsible for roof collapse that killed 30 students in Peshawar

Report submitted to KP governor says owner responsible for using substandard construction material.

Published 29 Oct, 2026 10:03am

Pakistan Is Attracting More Transshipment Cargo — Can It Last?

Pakistan Cricket: Is Arafat Minhas the Future of the ODI Team?

COP31 in Antalya: Will the World Finally Address Air Pollution?

Can Pakistani Women Still Get Justice for Workplace Harassment?

Can AI Change How Pakistanis Invest?

Inside Pakistan’s Pizza Industry

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

Metros

Punjab govt has 1m tonnes of wheat for five months, provincial assembly told

Death toll of Kasur food poisoning rises to four

Punjab CM announces establishment of Apna Kisan Bank

Fake MoFA official arrested in Gujrat

294 Sahiwal farmers booked for water theft in five months

MUST READ STORIES

What the Tehran huddle with Makkah pact officials suggests about the kind of power Iran wants to be

Editorial: Empowered local bodies, not a closed debate, is the answer to the provinces question

Moscow’s Afghan outreach: what Pakistan should do, and not expect

The full trailer for Netflix's new Pride and Prejudice series is finally here

Filing your tax return on IRIS: A step-by-step guide for the salaried individual

Forest loss, wildfires in Indonesia put orangutans at high extinction risk

Dar-e-Nijaat's Abu Bakar is a 'people-pleaser' with a 'saviour complex': Sheheryar Munawar

Bangladesh presses India before Ganges water treaty expires

Renowned Pashto folk singer Gulrez Tabassum dies at 77

Hamza Malik, Zain Zohaib's 'Alfaaz' makes it to Spotify's Top 50 - Global charts

What's at stake for Trump in Israel's deadlocked election?

Dawn News English Podcasts

Pakistan Is Attracting More Transshipment Cargo — Can It Last?

Pakistan Cricket: Is Arafat Minhas the Future of the ODI Team?

COP31 in Antalya: Will the World Finally Address Air Pollution?

Can Pakistani Women Still Get Justice for Workplace Harassment?

Can AI Change How Pakistanis Invest?

Inside Pakistan’s Pizza Industry

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

Branded Content

LemFi launches its biggest product expansion yet alongside a new global brand, ‘Ambition has no passport’

LemFi launches the biggest product expansion in its history, adding UK savings, credit and data eSIM in more than 150 destinations.

Mashreq simplifies cross border banking for Pakistanis in the UAE

From opening an account to sending money home, Mashreq Pakistan Account offers a seamless digital experience. No branch visits or paperwork, just everyday banking back home made easy.

Nishat Group and LUXEED sign strategic MoU to bring Premium New Energy Vehicles to Pakistan

Pakistan’s diversified business group joins hands with LUXEED, with the backing of Chery Group, to build a premium new energy ecosystem for Pakistani customers

Metros

Punjab govt has 1m tonnes of wheat for five months, provincial assembly told

Death toll of Kasur food poisoning rises to four

Punjab CM announces establishment of Apna Kisan Bank

Fake MoFA official arrested in Gujrat

294 Sahiwal farmers booked for water theft in five months

Makkah pact allies move from defence to diplomacy

Pakistan’s army chief, Saudi defence minister, Turkish spymaster meet top Iranian officials; both sides agreeing to continue dialogue on regional peace and security.

Newspaper , Updated 27 Oct, 2026 07:51am

Makkah pact allies move from defence to diplomacy

Pezeshkian urges 'regional unity' in meeting with Makkah pact countries in Tehran

Iran's security chief notes "very positive atmosphere”; Tehran says countries agreed to continue talks after "first meeting".

World , Updated 27 Oct, 2026 12:17am

Pezeshkian urges 'regional unity' in meeting with Makkah pact countries in Tehran

Remembering former army chief Gen Abdul Waheed Kakar

Gen Kakar assumed command of the army on Jan 12, 1993, following the sudden death of his predecessor, Asif Nawaz Janjua.

Pakistan , Published 26 Oct, 2026 07:29pm

Remembering former army chief Gen Abdul Waheed Kakar

Microsoft offers voluntary exit packages to 60,000 staff

Around 27pc of Microsoft's workforce is eligible for the new buyout offer; Netflix to reportedly cut around 1,000 jobs.

Tech , Updated 26 Oct, 2026 11:24pm

Microsoft offers voluntary exit packages to 60,000 staff

Regional trade deficit widens sharply

Gap with nine neighbours rises 26.6pc to $4.97bn in July-September.

Newspaper , Updated 27 Oct, 2026 07:36am

Pakistan for all

Inclusive politics produces a cohesive nation.

Newspaper , Published 27 Oct, 2026 07:28am

Former army chief Abdul Waheed Kakar passes away in Rawalpindi

CDF and all ranks of the Pakistan Army “express deep sorrow” over his demise, says ISPR; PM, president also express sorrow at the passing of the former army chief.

Pakistan , Updated 26 Oct, 2026 07:54pm

Former army chief Abdul Waheed Kakar passes away in Rawalpindi

Govt to end slab system punishing power consumers crossing 200-unit threshold

Awais Leghari says govt considering two options: raising the threshold to 250 units, or removing the six-month ban so the benefit could be availed for month with 200-unit usage.

Pakistan , Updated 28 Oct, 2026 12:27am

Govt to end slab system punishing power consumers crossing 200-unit threshold

Chromebook scheme

Technology can widen opportunity, but only when it is tied to good teaching, reliable connectivity and clear educational purpose.

Newspaper , Updated 27 Oct, 2026 05:09pm

Saim Ayub released from Pakistan tri-series squad to work on batting form, Sahibzada Farhan named replacement

The PCB said the decision was taken after Saim spoke to head coach Mike Hesson, with the team management and national selection committee agreeing to his request.

Sport , Published 26 Oct, 2026 11:38am

Saim Ayub released from Pakistan tri-series squad to work on batting form, Sahibzada Farhan named replacement

Privatisation framework

The proposed merger of the Privatisation Commission and the Public-Private Partnership Authority (P3A) into a single institution is a sensible move.

Newspaper , Updated 27 Oct, 2026 09:28am

Pakistan's last antique restorers give old treasures new life

The vintage items are now increasingly rare in the modern era in which they have been replaced by stainless steel and plastic kitchenware.

Pakistan , Published 27 Oct, 2026 11:59am

Pakistan's last antique restorers give old treasures new life

'Conscience does not permit': LHC's Justice Kayani resigns, cites 'executive's growing control' over judiciary

In his resignation letter, the judge says 26th and 27th Constitutional Amendments "compromised" high courts' independence; also cites health concerns.

Pakistan , Updated 28 Oct, 2026 07:13pm

'Conscience does not permit': LHC's Justice Kayani resigns, cites 'executive's growing control' over judiciary

Whither terrorism

We appear to be using the same old playbook put together in the post-Musharraf period.

Newspaper , Updated 27 Oct, 2026 10:59am

Regional security

Iran and the Makkah pact states should pledge not to let external actors use their soil to launch aggression against each other.

Newspaper , Updated 28 Oct, 2026 09:10am

In a pickle in Jamnagar

The US wants to dry up Moscow’s wartime oil revenues by pushing India toward alternative heavy crude markets.

Newspaper , Updated 27 Oct, 2026 09:54am

Netanyahu set to remain caretaker prime minister after inconclusive Israeli election

Anti-Netanyahu parties, ranging from the centre-left to the hard right, have fallen short of pre-election polls that forecast a tight race.

World , Updated 29 Oct, 2026 12:42am

Netanyahu set to remain caretaker prime minister after inconclusive Israeli election

Pakistan reaffirms solidarity with Kashmiris on Black Day, calls for end to rights violations

PM Shehbaz, President Zardari and DPM Dar voice concern over rights violations in IIOJK and stress that lasting regional peace hinges on a settlement reflecting the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

Pakistan , Updated 27 Oct, 2026 02:49pm

Pakistan reaffirms solidarity with Kashmiris on Black Day, calls for end to rights violations

Karachi suspect accused of luring women for jobs, stealing their phones beaten with slippers during court appearance

Court grants police one-day physical remand of suspect.

Pakistan , Updated 27 Oct, 2026 08:48pm

Karachi suspect accused of luring women for jobs, stealing their phones beaten with slippers during court appearance

Madushanka’s five-for powers Sri Lanka into tri-series final after Pakistan drubbing

England’s remaining league fixture against Sri Lanka on Thursday consequently became a dead rubber.

Sport , Updated 27 Oct, 2026 05:29pm

Madushanka’s five-for powers Sri Lanka into tri-series final after Pakistan drubbing

Senate blocks move to withdraw diplomatic passport privileges from state ministers, advisers

PPP stages walkout after exchange of hot words with PML-N senator over consumer protection bill; House removes loophole in plastic cover ban.

Pakistan , Updated 27 Oct, 2026 01:41am

Senate blocks move to withdraw diplomatic passport privileges from state ministers, advisers

Govt cuts petrol price by Rs3.19 per litre, ups high-speed diesel rate by Rs2.25

Following the revision, petrol will retail at Rs376.06 per litre, while HSD will cost Rs398.07 per litre.

Business , Published 27 Oct, 2026 11:26pm

Govt cuts petrol price by Rs3.19 per litre, ups high-speed diesel rate by Rs2.25

Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani posted to Pindi bench after reshuffle at Lahore High Court

New duty roster assigns Justice Kayani only to a single bench at the Rawalpindi registry, despite his previous position as the IHC’s senior puisne judge and his pending challenge to the inter-high court transfers.

Pakistan , Updated 27 Oct, 2026 08:08am

Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani posted to Pindi bench after reshuffle at Lahore High Court

Trapped abroad

We need to look more closely at recruitment networks.

Newspaper , Published 27 Oct, 2026 07:25am

Netanyahu scrambles for votes as Israelis turn out in record numbers

Exit polls show opposition bloc with a slight edge over Netanyahu's camp as voting ends, but still shy of an outright majority in Knesset.

, Updated 28 Oct, 2026 01:47am

Netanyahu scrambles for votes as Israelis turn out in record numbers

OPINION

Moscow’s Afghan outreach

Russia’s close ties with Kabul won’t automatically ensure action against anti-Pakistan terrorists.

Asif Durrani

A huddle in Tehran

Khurram Husain

From such seeds

F.S. Aijazuddin

Elusive quality

Shahzad Sharjeel

The Tehran opening

Zahid Hussain

EDITORIAL

Restructuring plans

The primary reason for governance failure in Pakistan is not the geographical size of the existing provinces but the reluctance of provincial capitals to empower local bodies.