“I will be available, as I have always been until today, to compete and win for our national team,” said Ronaldo in a statement.

Jesus left the forward unused on the bench for a Nations League match against Norway. Then, before the next game with Denmark, said Ronaldo would not start, and the 41-year-old walked out.

“I owe an apology to my national team team-mates for having left the camp,” wrote Ronaldo.

“Despite the absolute breakdown of trust in the head coach’s word… I shouldn’t have done it. The responsibility is mine alone.”

Ronaldo also apologised to supporters, while explaining his decision.

“I apologise to the Portuguese people once again, but a broken word has, for me, a defining impact,” said Ronaldo.

“I felt that, from that moment on, my presence would only harm the group, and I did what I always said I would do if I didn’t feel useful: I picked up my bags and left.”

Ronaldo said new Portugal coach Jesus had initially presented him with a plan for the international window which included starting the opening and final games at home, but not travelling for the Nations League matches in Norway and Denmark.

The Al-Nassr superstar rejected that proposal, saying it would set a poor example for the captain to remain in Portugal while his team-mates travelled.

Ahead of the Norway game, Ronaldo said Jesus unexpectedly asked if he was fit to play 30 minutes. He agreed and warmed up from half-time, without being brought on.

“The head coach failed to keep his word to me,” said Ronaldo, Portugal’s most capped player and all-time top goalscorer.

Former Real Madrid and Manchester United forward Ronaldo said he spoke with Jesus after that and agreed with him that the coach would apologise in a news conference ahead of the Denmark game.

However, Ronaldo said Jesus’s subsequent press conference was completely different from what was agreed in their conversation, with an “aggressiveness” he had never previously experienced from the coach.

“It was the second time he failed to keep his word. I decided to leave the camp without waiting for any further broken promises,” wrote Ronaldo.

The striker said he would serve any “suspension that is imposed” on him and accepted he should be punished for his actions.

“The consequence of this act of mine must be assessed and punished by the Portuguese Football Federation,” he explained.

“I understand that the punishment should not have mitigating circumstances. I’m not just any player, I’m the team captain, and that is an aggravating factor.”

Portugal won all four of their Nations League matches and qualified for the quarter-finals of the event with two games to spare.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2026

According to a press release issued by the Karachi Tennis Association, last-eight matches of men’s singles, junior U-18 singles, boys U-14 singles, girls U-18 singles and U-10 singles were staged while ladies’ singles first-round matches also took place.

Results (quarter-finals):

Juniors U-18 singles: Hazik Areejo bt Meer Bhagat 1-6, 6-4, 7-5; Zain Nomi bt Syed Abdullah 6-0, 6-1

Boys U-14 singles: Meer Bhagat bt Mikael Asad 4-0, 4-0; Shayan Afridi bt Syed Sufyan 4-0, 4-0; Ibraheem Gill bt Naayel Sohaib 4-0, 4-1

Girls U-18 singles: Pareezeh Haroon bt Ariana Raheel 4-6, 6-4, 7-5

Men’s singles: Ehtisham Malik bt Hamza Essa Jee 8-3

U-10 singles: Zayan Nomi bt Reeay Talha 3-5, 4-1, 4-2

Ladies singles (first round): Mashal Hussain bt Sophia 8-0; Marium Shahid bt Alina Sheikh 8-0.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2026

Despite a long-running doping crisis, Kenya was last month awarded the 2029 World Athletics Championships, the first time the event will be held in Africa.

“Kenya proudly calls itself the Home of Champions. But for that home to remain respected and credible, it must also be clean,” WADA chief Witold Banka said at the end of a three-day visit to the East African country.

“That is why Kenya needs a strong culture of clean sport, zero tolerance for doping, and a more determined approach to preventing and fighting doping.

“Kenya is a great sporting nation full of great athletes, and you become the more important area of sport when it comes to organising major sporting events.

“It’s a big honour for you, but it’s a bigger responsibility as well and brings pressure and big requirements from our side as well”, Banka added.

Banka said that cooperation with Kenyan authorities would help lay the foundations for a cleaner sport.

“WADA or ADAK (Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya) alone cannot achieve its vision if we do not cooperate with those who have the power to go against those who are producing, smuggling and trafficking dangerous steroids to your athletes,” he said.

“We’ve found a common understanding, and we are on the same track, and there’s a clear goal within Kenya for zero tolerance for doping policy and it has to be established immediately with joint actions and a more aggressive approach to those who are destroying the image of the country and the reputation of the athletes.”

More than 140 Kenyan athletes, mainly long-distance runners, have been suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) since 2017.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2026

Arteta, who took charge at a time of crisis in 2019, has been at the heart of a long-term turnaround plan that has restored the club’s status as one of the best teams in Europe.

“It’s a privilege to commit my future to the club and to continue to work with exceptional people who want the best for Arsenal,” Arteta said in a statement.

“This club is unique, its character and the way it makes you feel, and I have a great sense of privilege that our journey together will continue.”

Arteta ended his playing career in 2016 after five years at Arsenal, and joined Pep Guardiola’s backroom staff at Manchester City as an assistant coach.

But he returned to Arsenal three years later, taking over from Unai Emery with the club struggling in 10th place in the Premier League.

Under the Spaniard, Arsenal returned to the league’s top five in 2021-22, and finished second three times straight before finally being crowned champions last season.

They also reached the Champions League final, where they lost to Paris Saint-Germain in penalties.

“This is an important time in Arsenal Football Club’s history. We want to create a winning era together with Mikel,” club CEO Richard Garlick said.

The club management backed Arteta’s plan to rebuild the team, reinforcing the defence and midfield with signings like Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard and Ben White, and goalkeeper David Raya.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2026

SPLIT: World champions Spain recovered to beat Croatia 2-1 on Tuesday, with Mikel Merino scoring twice to extend their unbeaten run to 42 matches and seal a place in the Nations League quarter-finals on the final night of the fourth round of group-stage action.

England eased to a 3-0 victory over the Czech Republic in the other League A3 match, with captain Harry Kane scoring twice and setting up the third on the night he equalled Peter Shilton’s national appearance record with his 125th cap.

Spain top the group with 12 points, while England, who all but clinched a quarter-final spot, have nine, and Croatia are on three. The Czechs are still without a point.

Three days after Croatia were trounced 7-0 by visitors England, they threatened a major upset against Spain in Split when Ivan Perisic sent a well-placed header into the bottom-left corner in the 17th minute to give them the lead.

But substitute Merino equalised in the 61st to help preserve his nation’s undefeated streak stretching back to March 2024 when he found space in the middle of the box before firing a left-footed shot into the bottom corner.

Croatia were reduced to 10 men when Perisic was sent off for a second yellow card in the 79th minute, and Merino completed Spain’s comeback 10 minutes later with another left-footed finish into the corner of the net.

“I would spend the entire press conference thanking my players,” said Spain boss Luis de la Fuente, who started five Barcelona players.

“We knew that the match was going to get like this, but we’ve managed to understand it very well. We haven’t dropped our arms.”

At Wembley, Thomas Tuchel was full of praise for his team after reaching 20 wins in the fewest games of any England manager in the nation’s history, with 26.

“I think we played a very good match, very fluid and, to put it into context, it’s the fourth match in 11 or 12 days, and I think we dominated through the whole match,” Tuchel told ITV.

“Very focused, created some good opportunities, got some beautiful goals and, yeah, subs were strong. So a very good performance again and a deserved win.”

HISTORIC NIGHT FOR KANE

The World Cup bronze medallists went ahead after 27 minutes through a Vladimir Coufal own goal, with Kane providing the cross.

Kane then marked his historic night with a pair of goals, striking just before the break when Elliot Anderson launched a long ball to Morgan Rogers, whose first-time cross from the right found the 33-year-old in the box for a clinical finish.

Kane completed his double in the 57th when he rose to head Lewis Hall’s corner home from the back post to bag his 91st goal for England.

“It was the perfect night for me personally and also the team,” Kane said. “It’s been a tough camp, a long camp, and it’s been nice to finish it off at Wembley, a really proud evening for sure.

“You saw some fantastic football from England out there today.”

Elsewhere, Slovenia beat Scotland 2-1 with Aljosa Matko and Danijel Sturm scoring in the second half to cancel out Ryan Christie’s 31st-minute opener in League B1.

Switzerland’s Fabian Rieder, Johan Manzambi and Dan Ndoye scored in a 3-0 win over North Macedonia in the other game in that group.

The Swiss have 12 points ahead of Slovenia on seven, Scotland with four and North Macedonia on none.

The final two rounds of the group stage will be played in the November international break.

The eight teams finishing in the top two of the four League A groups will play in the knockout rounds beginning in March.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2026

LOS ANGELES: Head coach Mauricio Pochettino expressed optimism for the United States’ future as a football powerhouse after teen Justin Ellis scored the only goal against Canada on Tuesday to cap a flawless international window with four wins from four friendlies.

The 1-0 win lacked the dynamism, fluidity and multiple goals of wins against Mexico, Chile and Peru, but was another vindication for Pochettino’s policy of blooding fresh talent in the post-World Cup window.

Nineteen-year-old Ellis, who had scored on debut against Peru, bundled in an Alex Freeman strike midway through the first half, while Luc de Fougerolles came closest for Canada by hitting the crossbar after the break.

Across four games, seven of 12 US goals were scored by teenagers, with debuts for 13 new players as Pochettino eyes the future following a disappointing last-16 exit at this summer’s home World Cup.

“For sure, the future with these young talented players, plus the senior players that we have, I think we have a very good mix,” said Pochettino, describing a burgeoning US pool of youthful talent as “deep”.

“I hope we can guide this group of players to reach our best level, and compete in our best way, trying to be with the big national teams in the future.”

Pochettino had made six changes to his starting line-up. Ellis’s goal was the only US shot on target, with a high-pressing Canada spending most of the game on the front foot but unable to break through.

“It was a really difficult opponent… We made changes, we kept the level. I think we managed really well; we competed really well,” said Pochettino.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2026

At the Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi, MIT resumed their first innings at the overnight score of 186-8. Opener Hasnain, unbeaten on 87 overnight, went on to score 121, an innings that included 18 fours and a six, before MIT were bowled out for 223.

OGDCL were led by Rohail Nazir, who made a 110-ball 52 studded with seven fours, but Khalid claimed six wickets as OGDCL were dismissed for 193 in 63.4 overs. Holding a 30-run first-innings lead, MIT lost one wicket in their second innings and were 29-1 at stumps.

At the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, PTV plundered runs after Test fast bowler Haris Rauf ripped through Ghani Glass. Resuming at 67-7, Ghani were dismissed for 102, with Haris taking four wickets and Israr Hussain and Kashif Ali picking up three each.

In reply, Taimur Khan struck 97, including eight fours and five sixes, while Yasir Khan contributed 71. Mohammad Ammar, batting at number five, remained unbeaten on 80 as PTV reached 324-4 at the close. Right-arm pacer Khurram Shahzad took two wickets for Ghani Glass.

At the Imran Khan Stadium in Peshawar, Mohammad Abbas shone as State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) dominated Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) in a match that started a day late after rain washed out the opening day. SBP had won the toss and elected to field.

Abbas and Shahid Aziz took three wickets apiece and Sirajuddin claimed two as KRL lost eight wickets during the day to be 127-8 at stumps. Saqib Khan top-scored for KRL with 35.

At the Diamond Cricket Ground in Islamabad, Shahnawaz Dahani took five wickets, but Azan Awais and Shan Masood fought back for Sui Northern Gas Pipelines against Kingsmen Academy. Resuming at 31-1, Kingsmen were bowled out for 217, with Mohammad Shayan top-scoring with 66. Shehzad Gul supported Dahani with four wickets.

In reply, Test opener Azan was unbeaten on 53 and former Test captain Shan was not out on 45 at stumps. The pair added 81 runs for the third wicket as SNGPL reached 140-2 in 35 overs.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2026

JEDDAH: Early strikes secured hosts Saudi Arabia the 27th Gulf Cup with a 2-0 win over the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, ending a 22-year wait to lift the trophy again.

Winger Hammam Al Hammami opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a deflected shot from the edge of the box, sparking celebrations at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.

Just two minutes later, Georgios Donis’ side took a 2-0 lead when Feras Al Brikan struck from close range. They almost scored again when Saleh Abu Alshamat, who started alongside his brother Mohammed, hit the bar.

“We are very happy… There were many difficulties, but the players showed concentration and discipline and gave their maximum on the pitch,” Donis told a press conference.

“I think we turned those difficulties into a title, and that is important. We were the best team in this competition. This title gives us confidence for the future, and we have to keep showing the same qualities,” he added.

After the interval, Saudi goalkeeper Mohamed Al Owais denied Sultan Adil from close range, and Fabio Lima struck the bar in the 88th minute, leaving Saudi Arabia with a clean sheet throughout the tournament.

The triumph followed an early and disappointing exit from this year’s World Cup and gave the Saudis a fourth Gulf Cup title, their first since 2004.

“After the World Cup, we knew that we had made mistakes and had some bad moments, but we learned from this experience… we improved and developed our football. And I think they deserve this result. Now, the result reflects the work,” said Donis.

Saudi Arabia will take on Kuwait, Oman and Palestine at the 2027 Asian Cup on home soil, with the tournament scheduled for Jan 7-Feb 5.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2026

Messi, who scored a goal and provided two assists in the victory at the Monumental Stadium, took to the field after the win to express gratitude to fans and team-mates as he reflected on his 21-year career with Argentina.

“It was a huge source of pride for me to defend this jersey for more than 20 years,” Messi told the 80,000-plus spectators in the stadium.

“Even in the worst moments we went through and that I had, I never stopped fighting, never stopped being here,” added the 39-year-old.

“Not coming anymore is going to be deeply painful. I swear I’d like to play for the rest of my life, because playing for the Argentina national team is the most beautiful thing that can happen to you.”

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, who was at the helm as Messi finally achieved his dream of winning football’s biggest prize, the World Cup in 2022, said there would never be another player of his ability.

“He is unique,” said Scaloni, who played alongside Messi for a year in the national team.

“I have never seen such a set of skills in any other player in all my life.”

An emotional Scaloni, who cried during the national anthem, said that being given the opportunity to coach a team with Messi in it was beyond his wildest dreams.

“I owe him a debt of eternal gratitude, for everything he gave to us,” said the 48-year-old.

“I told him in front of everybody, with the little energy that I still had: never in my life did I imagine I would coach the best footballer in history.”

Messi said that returning to the Monumental — where Argentina played their first game after winning the 2022 World Cup — was bittersweet.

“Now I’m here on the saddest day of my career, which is the day I have to say goodbye to the national team, goodbye to all of you.

“But now I’ll be on that side (with the fans), supporting all the boys, everyone who comes in. Always united,” he said.

Messi, though, said that despite the sadness, he had no regrets about the timing of his international exit, citing the exertions of Argentina’s campaign at this year’s World Cup, where the South Americans battled through to the final only to lose to Spain.

Messi said the emotional roller coaster of that tournament — which included a 2-1 defeat of bitter rivals England in the semi-final — had taken a toll.

He was also to suffer a body blow in August when his father and agent Jorge died.

“Even though I want to be here all my life, I feel that this is the moment. The last World Cup was too much, everything I had to live through,” said Messi.

“We had the dream of fulfilling my dream and the dream of the whole country, of becoming world champions again.

“In the last World Cup we were very close, and the reality is that nothing strange happened, as people say. The match against England took a huge toll on us physically, and emotionally it was very big.

“We arrived with just enough; we fought like we always did with this jersey, with all the team-mates I got to be with and share things with, not only them but also those who were around in the time when we managed to win. We were very close.”

Scaloni said Messi left an “unbelievable legacy”, but he, as coach, must now focus on life without the team’s talisman.

“The only way to make up for his leaving is to have a great team, which means everyone brings something to contribute to the building of it.”

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2026

BEIJING: Coco Gauff said online racist abuse had left her feeling exhausted after she went out of the China Open with her loss to Elise Mertens on Wednesday, later announcing she would skip next week’s tournament in Wuhan.

The American world number four, who is Black, turned in an uncharacteristically listless performance in Beijing, double-faulting eight times as she went down 6-3, 6-3 to her Belgian opponent.

Gauff, 22, was playing a day after she called out the “insane” amount of abuse she had received on the internet following her win over Chinese teenager Sun Xinran in the previous round.

“It has been kind of draining. I’m not going to lie,” Gauff said of the impact of the online comments. “But I just turn off my phone and move on. There’s nothing you can do.”

Asked about the match, she said: “I think I just didn’t play well. I think I wasn’t moving well.

“There were a lot of things I didn’t do well. I thought Elise played well on the bigger points.”

During her previous match in Beijing, against Sun, Gauff requested a video review over flickering LED lights on the stadium’s advertising hoardings.

The move prompted some boos from the crowd. The umpire agreed to have the point replayed, and Gauff went on to win 7-5, 6-1.

Early on Tuesday, Gauff wrote on X: “Hey everyone, you can dislike me or disagree about what happened without being racist.”

She was responding to a post that contained a racial slur.

“The amount of racist comments and messages I’ve received in the last few hours is insane,” she wrote.

Gauff also clarified that she challenged the point before Sun had returned the ball, when she noticed the lights flicker for a second time.

Asked about the incident, a spokesperson for the Women’s Tennis Association, the global governing body, said they were “appalled by the racial abuse directed at Coco Gauff and are in contact with her to offer our full support”.

It added in a statement to AFP that there was “no place for racism, discrimination, or abuse in tennis”, and that it was “seeking action” against the abusive content.

Gauff, who won the Beijing title in 2024 and made the semi-finals last year, is a popular player among fans at the tournament itself.

A group of supporters in the largely empty stadium tried to encourage her into a comeback on Wednesday.

Hours later, the Wuhan Open said Gauff had withdrawn from the prestigious 1000-level tournament “citing fatigue”.

“I’m disappointed to withdraw from Wuhan, especially as the defending champion. I always love playing there,” Gauff said in a statement shared by the tournament on Instagram.

“After a long year, my body needs some time to rest and recover. I look forward to returning next year,” Gauff said.

The Wuhan Open runs from October 12 to 18 in China’s central Hubei province.

‘ALL TOO FAST’

Mertens was undeterred as she punched her ticket for a quarter-final clash against Iga Swiatek.

The world number 19 called Gauff an “incredible player”, adding: “I knew it was going to be a very tough match”.

She dedicated her win to her coach, who is also her boyfriend.

Earlier, Swiatek swept aside American teenager Iva Jovic 6-1, 6-3 in one hour and 35 minutes.

In the night session, China’s Zheng Qinwen pulled off another three-set victory to dispatch Alina Charaeva 6-1, 2-6, 6-4, ending a breakout week for the 118th-ranked player in which she beat freshly minted world number one Elena Rybakina.

“I started pretty well… but maybe during the second set I think I felt myself decline, also with the temperature getting colder and colder and the ball speed dropping,” Zheng said afterwards.

“I’m really grateful,” she told the crowd, tearing up as the on-court interviewer reminded fans it was the day before Zheng’s 24th birthday.

“All I can say is that it’s all come too fast,” Zheng said, smiling as the crowd wished her “happy birthday” in unison.

Zheng, the current world number 54, will face Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina, the sixth seed, in the quarter-final.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2026

After NZC announced in March that NZ20 would replace the existing Super Smash provincial competition, cricket great Richard Hadlee and former NZC president Lesley Murdoch criticised what they said was a lack of transparency in the process and the body’s refusal to share the Deloitte report with stakeholders.

NZC Chair Diana Puketapu-Lyndon said the governing body should have done a better job explaining the decision when it announced its plans.

The Deloitte report was just one of four expert reports considered by the board in making the decision, alongside analyses of community cricket, high-performance pathways and fan engagement, she added.

“Its analysis favoured exploring the Big Bash opportunity further, for reasons including financial upside and governance, but it also said weighing the options was for the board and encouraged us to continue exploring both options,” Puketapu-Lyndon said in a statement.

The board had also considered feedback from the country’s six Major Associations and the New Zealand Cricket Players Association, both of which supported NZ20 ahead of seeking to put a New Zealand team in the established Australian league.

“When all of that was considered, alongside the board’s own due diligence, the board voted unanimously, 7-0, to support NZ20 as the preferred option,” said Puketapu-Lyndon.

NZC said it would not release the full report, citing confidentiality.

“This is the biggest change to domestic cricket in a generation, and we know not everyone agrees with it,” she said.

“NZ20 is genuinely aspirational. It has the potential to revolutionise the game of cricket in this country and ensure a sustainable future from the grassroots to the elite.”

NZ20 organisers had initially planned to launch the six-team competition this summer, but NZC postponed the tournament until the 2027-28 home season to allow more time to establish the privately owned franchise league and accommodate the international schedule.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2026

The forward won the 2010 World Cup with Spain as well as three Champions League titles with Barca, two of those in 2009 and 2011 as part of Pep Guardiola’s team, which dominated that era of the sport.

Pedro also won five La Liga titles with the Catalan giants, was a Premier League winner at Chelsea, before heading to AS Roma and finally Lazio.

“I feel that the moment has come. The moment to take a step forward and begin a new stage in my life,” said Pedro in a post on social media.

“I leave proud of having lived my dream and of all the people who were by my side to make it come true.”

Born in Tenerife, Pedro joined Barcelona’s youth academy as a teenager and made his first-team debut in 2008.

Under Guardiola, he became a key figure in the side that won an unprecedented six trophies in 2009.

Pedro netted in the 2011 Champions League final win over Manchester United and scored 99 goals for Barcelona in 321 games, playing with Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez among other stars.

“Being part of the best Barca side in history was a privilege; we won everything and amazed the world,” said Pedro in his farewell video.

As well as lifting Spain’s first World Cup trophy, Pedro also won the 2012 European Championship with La Roja.

“One day, almost without believing it, I became a world champion and a starter in a World Cup final,” said Pedro, who earned 65 caps and scored 17 goals for his country.

Arriving in 2015 at Chelsea, he won the Premier League in 2017, as well as the FA Cup and Europa League in the subsequent two seasons.

Pedro’s final club was Lazio, which he left at the end of last season after more than 200 appearances for the Serie A side.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2026

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan will try to avoid the mistakes they made in the high-profile Asian Games final against India when the Sahibzada Farhan-led team face Sri Lanka in a home T20 International series, young batter Hasan Nawaz said on Wednesday.

“If you remain stuck after losing [a major game] how can you progress?” Hasan said while talking to reporters at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium where Pakistan players practised for the Sri Lanka series.

“[Whereas] when you move while learning from your mistakes, you definitely improve. We will try to avoid the mistakes [which we made in the Asian Games final] in the forthcoming matches,” the 24-year-old added.

Pakistan face Sri Lanka in a three-match T20 International series starting in Rawalpindi on Friday. All the matches will be held at the same venue.

The Green-shirts under Farhan lost a high-scoring Asian Games final to India by 19 runs in Nisshin, Japan on Saturday despite Hasan’s 51-ball 96 laced with seven sixes and five fours. Chasing a mammoth 212 in the final, Pakistan went down fighting as they posted 192-6 off the allotted overs.

When Pakistan last played Sri Lanka in February this year at the T20 World Cup in Pallekele, Salman Ali Agha was the Green-shirts’ skipper. He was later replaced with Farhan for the job, and axed from the team as well, for the Asian Games.

The Pakistan Cricket Board kept faith in Farhan’s leadership ability following the Asian Games. Experienced players like Salman, Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi were also dropped from the T20 team — due to their topsy-turvy performance — for the Sri Lanka series as the PCB, it seems, wants to give some time to budding players for building a strong side as veteran pros continue to struggle in key international contests.

Youngsters including Hasan, Abdul Samad, Khawaja Nafay, Arafat Minhas, Maaz Sadaqat, Sufyan Moqim and Razaullah, the player who excelled with bat and ball in the final Test against England in Leeds last month, are now part of a new-look national T20 squad that will compete against the Kusal Mendis-captained Sri Lanka. Frontline fast bowler Naseem Shah, who last represented Pakistan in T20s at this year’s T20 World Cup, also returned to the national side.

On their last T20 tour to Pakistan in November, Sri Lanka lost a three-game rubber 2-1.

Answering a question regarding a high-profile Asiad final, the right-handed batter regretted the Green-shirts’ loss.

“[Ironically] I was dropped last year [after failing against India in the T20 Asia Cup]. Now, I have made a comeback [by playing a fine knock] against them in the Asian Games final. However, in the end it was painful to lose that close game in which there were minor mistakes that led to our defeat,” Hasan said.

“We could have won, had we avoided those mistakes.

“India are world’s top T20 team and performing against them definitely gave me a lot of confidence.”

After the T20 series, Pakistan and Sri Lanka lock horns in a three-match ODI series followed by a tri-nation ODI series also involving England.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2026

Head did not single out any pundit directly, but his strong remarks at a press conference came the day after Matthew Hayden, one-time holder of the record for the most runs in a Test innings, accused selectors of promoting the greatest pile of mediocrity that we’ve seen in a generation of cricket.

The reference, made in a podcast, was about the recall of Nic Maddinson, who has been out of Test cricket for nearly 10 years, but who joined the squad in South Africa after Josh Inglis fractured his finger and Cameron Green suffered a stomach injury.

“I think it’s unfairly judged a fair bit from a group of past players, pretty much wthat put the bullet through a lot of players, which I think is unfair,” Head said.

“But that’s what they’re paid to do. Some of them need a job, so they go after us, and that’s totally fine.

“This group is strong enough to deal with those sorts of things. That’s how it is. It’s unfortunate sometimes to have some of that feedback from a generation of players that we have huge respect for, but that’s the caper.”

SELECTORS ACCUSED OF DISRESPECTING CRICKET

Hayden accused the selectors of “disrespecting first-class cricket”, asserting that batsmen should have an average of 45 runs or more before being considered for Test selection.

But Head praised Maddinson’s abilities and the benefits of choosing experienced players for Test cricket despite the 34-year-old replacement having a first-class average of 37.11.

“We need mature guys that know what they need to be doing,” Head said.

“And I think that revolves back to why we’ve been so good over a period of time, and why Australian cricket was so good back then in that era, because you’d bring in the Mike Husseys of the world, who are 30, who are tried and tested and know what they need to do.”

Former Australia captain Allan Border suggested that the 32-year-old Head would face his toughest Test as an opener against the South African bowling attack and would perhaps be better batting at number five.

“I have laughed at a fair bit of it because if a traditional opening batter had pushed out the same sort of numbers in his first 20 innings, I think he’d be pretty safe and not talked about in the way that it has been talked about,” Head said. “It’s a lot of headline stuff.”

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2026

The index recovered on value-hunting toward the close, ending with a marginal gain as regional and political uncertainty weighed on investor sentiment.

Topline Securities Ltd said the index remained range-bound, gaining as much as 812 points to an intraday high of 169,271.99 before giving up part of its gains and closing at 168,580.41, up 120.30 points, or 0.07 per cent. The index also hit an intraday low of 394 points at 168,065.87.

Trading remained cautious as international oil prices edged higher on a day-on-day basis, keeping investors watchful and limiting broader market momentum. Brent crude edged above $100 per barrel.

United Bank, Systems Ltd, Pakistan State Oil, Pakistan Telecommunications Company and K-Electric were the major gainers, collectively adding 300 points to the index. Conversely, Mari Energies, Meezan Bank, Lucky Cement, Hub Power, and Oil and Gas Development Company were the major laggards, collectively eroding 187 points.

Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Ltd, said the PSX recorded a consolidation session. The market initially carried forward overnight positive momentum, but profit-taking emerged at higher levels, particularly around the 169,000 mark, eroding most of the earlier gains and leaving the session largely flat. The session reflected a cautious approach by investors following the recent recovery.

However, investor participation improved as trading volume surged 35.84 per cent to 586.9 million shares and traded value rose 11.05pc to Rs22.3bn. K-Electric led the volume chart with 82m shares.

Analysts expect the index to sustain its recovery if oil prices remain subdued and Middle East risks ease, though geopolitical uncertainty may keep volatility elevated. The 170,000 level remains a key psychological threshold, with attention focused on oil prices and institutional flows.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2026

The move is part of the FBR’s efforts to strengthen sales tax monitoring and curb tax evasion by obtaining production data directly from manufacturing units rather than relying solely on figures declared by registered manufacturers. The monitoring system is already operating in several industries.

The expansion brought additional manufacturing sectors into a system through which the tax authority can directly observe production activity and maintain records of factory operations, reducing its dependence on production figures declared by registered manufacturers.

The FBR issued SRO 1751 of 2026 on Wednesday to notify that production by registered manufacturers of leather and paper and paperboard would be electronically monitored under Chapter XIV BA of the Sales Tax Rules 2006.

In a separate authorisation, the FBR approved four vendors to supply, install, operate and maintain production-monitoring equipment across five sectors — packaged tea, household electronics, paper and paperboard, edible oil and ghee, and leather.

Obsidian Technologies will monitor textile spinning, while Tollink Pakistan covers aerated beverages and bottled water. ISSM Labelling Solutions monitors textile spinning, tiles, packaged milk, packaged juices and bottled water, while Authentik covers aerated beverages, packaged milk, packaged juices and bottled water.

Under the new arrangement, IP cameras and Network Video Recorders (NVRs) will be installed at production lines. The cameras will continuously capture production activity in real time, while the NVRs will retain recordings for at least two months.

The vendors will be responsible for procuring, installing, operating, maintaining and repairing the equipment. The authorisation is limited to IP cameras and NVRs, barring vendors from supplying or charging manufacturers for any other equipment or software.

All footage and recordings will remain the property of the FBR and will be treated as confidential, with sharing prohibited except as directed by the Board.

Electricity units declaration

The FBR has introduced an online facility allowing steel melters and re-rollers to declare electricity consumption to calculate their sales tax liability when power distribution companies fail to report supplies or submit returns late.

Annex K of the sales tax return is mandatory for steel melters, re-rollers, and composite units to calculate sales tax liability under the Thirteenth Schedule of the Sales Tax Act 1990. The automated system normally obtains electricity consumption data after distribution companies file Annex C of their returns.

However, the FBR said taxpayers were facing difficulties when distribution companies either did not declare electricity supplied to them or filed their returns late, preventing the required consumption data from being automatically reflected in Annex K.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2026

Informed sources told Dawn that the reopening of independent power producers’ (IPPs) contracts and recent legal developments involving K-Electric had heightened risk perception among prospective bidders — both local and foreign — currently undertaking due diligence of the first batch of Discos.

They have stressed the need for binding legal guarantees and clear financial risk allocation to prevent post-privatisation contractual disputes, and demanded longer licence tenures than the existing 20-year term for Discos.

Interestingly, the prime minister’s adviser on privatisation, Muhammad Ali — who was involved in renegotiations with IPPs that led to revised contracts during the PTI and PML-N tenures — now faces questions from prospective investors over regulatory and contractual guarantees.

Bidders seek binding guarantees, risk cover amid fears of contract reopening

Against this backdrop, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Wednesday presided over a meeting of the Steering Committee on Power Sector Regulatory Regime and Reform Options to advance reforms to strengthen the power sector’s regulatory framework and promote efficiency, investment, competition and greater private-sector participation.

The finance minister noted that the evolving power sector landscape required a regulatory framework capable of responding to technological developments while supporting efficiency, investment, consumer interests and greater private-sector participation, an official statement said.

The meeting coincided with a stay order on Wednesday from the Sindh High Court against recent decision of the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) and its appellant tribunal regarding K-Electric’s Multi-Year Tariff (MYT) that effectively curtailed federal government’s subsidy to KE worth around Rs200 billion. Aggrieved by the appellant tribunal and Nepra decision, KE had challenged it in SHC which suspended those notifications and orders and issued notices to the respondents for next date of hearing on Oct 15.

The finance minister-led committee discussed Pakistan’s power sector transformation and discussed the significant changes taking place in the industry, including growing solarisation and changing demand patterns. “The committee discussed key structural and emerging challenges facing the sector, including legacy capacity obligations, changing grid-demand patterns, service quality, investment constraints and the need to further strengthen incentives for efficiency”, an official statement said.

“The discussion also focused on improving regulatory predictability, better targeting of subsidies and strengthening the overall investment climate to support a more efficient, competitive and financially sustainable power sector”, the statement added.

The minister called for developing a market structure that provides clearer incentives for efficiency and service quality, while creating greater space for competition, private-sector participation and investment.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2026

Following the fifth meeting of the Access to Finance Steering Committee, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said in an official statement that the meeting “discussed the need to improve data availability and information-sharing to support responsible lending and better risk assessment”.

The minister emphasised that data should be used with appropriate safeguards and clear purpose limitations, while ensuring that financial institutions have access to the information required to assess borrowers and expand cash-flow-based lending.

He directed that the committee’s focus should increasingly remain on implementation, measurable outcomes and follow-up actions, with progress on the sub-committees’ decisions and recommendations to be systematically tracked.

The meeting noted that in the first quarter of FY27, outstanding SME loans rose by Rs23bn to Rs1.137 trillion, while the number of borrowers increased by over 25,000 to about 350,862.

The minister called for further acceleration to stay aligned with the government’s medium-term objective of expanding SME financing to Rs2tr and increasing the number of borrowers to 775,000 by June 30, 2028, through an ecosystem-wide approach that includes commercial banks, microfinance institutions, and other financial service providers.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2026

The ML-1 project aims to upgrade and modernise key infrastructure to enhance freight and passenger connectivity from Karachi to Peshawar.

Presiding over a meeting on Pakistan Railways on Wednesday, the prime minister appreciated the efforts of teams from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Ministry of Railways, led by the NAB chairman, to identify and recover encroached railway land, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.

“Modernising ML-1 is of key importance for the development of Pakistan Railways, improving passenger services and increasing freight transport,” he was quoted as saying.

The prime minister directed that ML-1 be developed on a commercial basis by utilising identified railway land worth billions of rupees.

“The real commercial potential of railway properties needs to be harnessed,” he said, calling for the effective use of valuable railway land for commercial purposes to contribute to the national economy and the development of Pakistan Railways.

He said corporate-style reforms to strengthen the railways and make it economically self-sufficient were among the government’s priorities. He added that the railway minister was working to make the organisation profitable and improve its operations.

Mr Shehbaz, during the meeting, approved securing bank financing through commercial projects on railway land and utilising the funds for the project.

He directed authorities to present a comprehensive plan within two weeks based on the actual commercial potential of railway land.

The meeting was informed that the 1,726-kilometre ML-1 upgrade had been divided into four major sections: Karachi-Rohri, Rohri-Multan, Multan-Lahore and Lahore-Peshawar.

International financing was being used for the Karachi-Rohri section, while plans were being prepared to finance the remaining sections through domestic resources, the meeting was told.

Officials briefed the meeting on various stages of the ML-1 project, progress on the Karachi-Rohri section and railway-owned land, as per the PMO.

Civil work on the first phase of the ML-1 is likely to begin in January 2027. It covers the 480km Karachi-Rohri/Sukkur section, where new up and down tracks will be laid along with fencing on both sides to prevent unauthorised access by people, animals and vehicles.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2026

The meeting was chaired by the Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain. A press release of the ministry said the targets for Rabi crops would be finalised after the “announcement of an illustrative price for wheat”.

The prime minister recently tasked an eight-member committee with suggesting policy actions for the wheat sowing season in order to ensure adequate wheat production.

The committee is headed by the prime minister’s adviser on inter-provincial coordination and includes the minister for national food security, coordinator to the PM on agriculture, provincial agriculture ministers, provincial chief secretaries and chairman of the Pakistan Banking Association.

Rana Tanveer Hussain said: “We are conscious of the challenges faced by our farmers due to rising input, energy and transportation costs. The government is taking measures to ensure affordable inputs and remunerative prices, including an appropriate wheat illustrative price.”

About the availability of water for irrigating Rabi crops, the press release spoke of an anticipated shortage of 22 per cent for Punjab and Sindh. Provinces are allocated 29.18 MAF of water.

The Meteorological Department informed the committee that soil moisture stress was expected in October and November due to below-normal rains over the last three months. The situation, however, is likely to improve soon due to above-normal rains forecast for the next two months.

Seed availability

About the availability of seeds during the Rabi season, the federal seed certification department informed the committee that availability of certified seeds during Rabi would be “satisfactory”.

The committee reviewed the performance of seven Kharif crops, noting that sugarcane, rice, maize, mungbean and chillies showed an increase in production over the previous year.

The committee was informed that sugarcane production for 2025-26 is provisionally estimated at 97.2 million tonnes from an area of 1.358m hectares, showing an increase of 18.5pc and 21.1pc in area and production, respectively, over the targets fixed by the FCA.

Rice production for 2025-26 is estimated at 10.182m tonnes from an area of 3.902m hectares, showing an increase of 28.4pc in area.

Maize production is estimated at 9.97m tonnes from an area of 1.83m hectares, showing an increase of 21pc in area and 3.2pc in production over the target fixed by the FCA.

Mungbean production is estimated at 171,000 tonnes from an area of over 225,000 hectares, an increase of 32.3pc in area and 14.8pc in production over the FCA targets.

Chillies also recorded growth in area, production and yield as compared to the previous year.

Total availability of urea during 2026-27 is estimated at 3.95m tonnes, comprising 765,000 tonnes of carryover stock and 3.18m tonnes of domestic production. Urea offtake is expected to be around 3.5m tonnes.

The total availability of DAP will be 766,000 tonnes against an expected offtake of 838,000 tonnes. The gap between supply and demand in DAP will be filled through imports by the private sector.

The State Bank allocated indicative agricultural credit disbursement target of Rs3,062 billion for the fiscal year 2026-27, which was 19pc higher than the preceding year’s disbursement of Rs2,573bn.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2026

In the last week of September, they cut prices for various flour varieties by Rs3 per kg, but this failed to provide any price relief to consumers, as retailers kept the prices unchanged.

Consumers continue to see price fluctuations in flour ahead of wheat imports, but the federal and provincial governments are not ready to take serious notice, as the new crop from Sindh and Punjab will arrive in March to May.

Some retailers said they had run out of flour after millers suspended supplies for the last few days while preparing to deliver a price shock. After a Rs14 per kg hike, the new rates for flour No. 2.5, maida and fine flour, issued by the millers in Karachi, are Rs155, Rs167 and Rs170 per kg, respectively.

Retailers accuse millers of suspending supply to engineer price shock; Chakki flour hits Rs210 per kg

A miller said that the wheat rate in the open market, which had remained almost unchanged at Rs125-130 per kg, has risen to Rs138 per kg. He added that grain and flour prices are becoming costlier not only in Karachi but across the country.

He said the increase in wheat prices has nothing to do with wheat imports, as imported wheat would arrive this month or in November.

Roti makers have already raised the price of naan by Rs5 to Rs30-35 per piece, followed by Rs10 for sheermal, taftaan and qulcha, while branded bread makers had raised the prices of bread and bakery items by 8-9pc earlier this month. Good-quality chapati is now priced at Rs20 per piece.

A tandoor owner said he cannot sustain a double shock, first the price hike in flour and secondly rising LPG prices. “The price of various varieties of roti may crawl up by Rs5-10 per piece if the rates of flour and gas do not come down in the next few days,” he warned, adding that LPG continues to sell at Rs400-420 per kg, while other items’ prices, like plastic shopping bags, paper for wrapping roti, etc., are also going up.

In the retail markets, the prices of flour No. 2.5, fine flour and Chakki flour are now Rs180, Rs200 and Rs210, respectively, compared with Rs170, Rs180 and Rs180-200 per kg.

A retailer said branded five-kg fine flour bags are available for Rs1,000-1,010, up from Rs950.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2026

The National Party (NP) has expressed serious concern over the closure of banks and ATMs, saying it was the responsibility of the local administration and security forces to provide security to banks.

“Salaried employees, pensioners, traders, the elderly and the disabled are facing severe difficulties due to the unavailability of banking facilities. Many are being forced to travel to Quetta simply to access their savings,” NP Mastung President Sikander Hayat Khan said.

He added that the absence of a basic facility like banking services had severely affected residents’ daily lives.

He urged the Balochistan chief minister to ensure the restoration of banking and ATM services in Mastung.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2026

GPA Chairman Noorul Haq Baloch met Customs Transit Trade Director General Irfan Javed at the Directorate General of Customs Transit Trade Office.

The decision to convene a meeting followed discussions on facilitating, streamlining, and organising cargo transit to Iran through the Gabd/Rimdhan 250 border crossing.

Officials noted that despite clear directives from the Ministry of Commerce and the Federal Board of Revenue, cross-border trade via Gwadar Port continues to face operational bottlenecks.

In a separate engagement in Karachi, Mr Baloch met Karachi Port Trust Chairman retired Rear Admiral Shahid Ahmed at the KPT head office to discuss enhancing connectivity and maritime economic growth. The officials exchanged views on current cargo traffic patterns and strategic measures to strengthen Pakistan’s maritime sector.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2026

He was addressing a PkMAP gathering at Baz Muhammad Sha­heed Ground in Zhob on Wednesday to mark the anniversary of the Oct 7, 1983, martyrs of democracy.

Mr Achakzai said that if one side was consulting its leaders and stakeholders, the PTI and opposition had the right to meet the jailed ex-premier. “Until I meet Imran Khan, I will not be part of any negotiations,” he said.

He said the PTI had placed its trust in him and he would strive to honour it. “Why is the government afraid of our meeting with Imran Khan?” he wondered.

PkMAP chief welcomes Russian foreign minister’s statement on Afghanistan

Mr Achakzai warned that imposing governor’s rule or an emergency in KP would have serious political consequences. “Impose governor’s rule if you wish; we will announce people’s rule and hold protests in every district,” he warned.

He said the situation had reached a point where Chief Minister Sohail Afridi had no option but to move forward.

He said powerful quarters had tried to break Imran Khan, but, by the grace of Allah, he had remained steadfast. “The time has now come for those who sought to break him to begin breaking themselves,” he said.

Mr Achakzai urged all political forces to agree on at least one national agenda to establish a course of action for a prosperous future of Pakistan’s 250 million people.

Recalling the Oct 7, 1983, protest against military dictator Gen Ziaul Haq, he said PkMAP workers had taken to the streets against martial law and the usurpation of the people’s right to govern themselves.

Protesters were directly fired upon, he said. He miraculously survived, while four companions were martyred, dozens injured and hundreds arrested.

“Today, we pay tribute to the sacrifices of all those martyrs,” he added.

He said an enormous amount of Pashtun blood had been shed over nearly half a century, but powerful vested interests remained unsatisfied. The only “crime” of the Pashtuns, he said, was their love for their land.

Mr Achakzai said Pashtuns must set aside mutual grievances, resolve disputes through jirgas and strengthen unity and solidarity.

He said appointments to the posts of Chief Election Commis­s­i­o­ner and Election Commission members whose terms had expired sho­uld follow the procedure prescr­ibed by the Constitution and law.

He said he was ready to meet the prime minister at any neutral, public venue.

On the occasion, Mr Achakzai also demanded that judges, political leaders and workers who had opposed martial law and the Provisional Constitutional Orders be declared national heroes.

Welcoming the Russian foreign minister’s statement on Afgha­ni­s­tan at the 18th meeting of the Moscow Format Consultations, he said powers that had intervened in Afghanistan, along with their allies, owed the country a debt.

They were responsible, he said, for fulfilling their obligations towards Afghanistan’s stability, development and prosperity.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2026

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday held that a marriage could be dissolved on grounds of Shiqaq (irreconcilable discord) under the residuary provision of the Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act, 1939 even when cruelty was not proven.

“A marriage may be dissolved by a court, but neither spouse should be judicially deprived of a lawful right, nor judicially burdened with a stigma, without the foundation of law and evidence,” the court observed in its judgement.

Headed by Justice Shahid Waheed, a five-judge SC bench comprising Justices Naeem Akhter Afghan, Muhammad Hashim Khan Kakar, Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb took up two connected petitions filed by Zainab Bibi and Iram Naz Begum against two Peshawar High Court orders.

Both cases arose from family suits in which the wives sought dissolution of marriage on the ground of cruelty and claimed maintenance, dower and dowry articles. However, the family courts found cruelty unproved but dissolved the marriages through Khula, directing the wives to return the dower. The appellate court and the PHC largely upheld these decrees.

Before the SC, the wives raised two principal grievances: first, that their marriages could not lawfully be dissolved through Khula because they neither sought nor consented to it, as their cases were founded on cruelty; and second, that their financial claims should have been allowed in full.

Authored by Justice Waheed, the 15-page judgement drew a distinction between Khula and Shiqaq. It explained that Khula proceeded from a wife’s voluntary election to obtain release from the marriage and ordinarily carried financial consequences.

Shiqaq, by contrast, arose from an objectively established condition of serious matrimonial breach and did not depend on the wife’s surrender of dower or any benefit as consideration for her release.

The judgement held that the family courts had erred in converting the petitioners’ claims for dissolution on the ground of cruelty into decrees of Khula without obtaining their clear and voluntary consent or election.

“Those decrees, to the extent that they rest upon Khula, cannot be sustained,” the judgement ruled, although it did not set aside the dissolution altogether.

“The matrimonial relationships have undergone a serious and continuing rupture; reconciliation has failed; the evidence does not establish the statutory ground of cruelty; and the record, taken as a whole, establishes a condition of Shiqaq of the kind contemplated by verse 35 of Surah An-Nisa of the Holy Quran and recognised under Muslim law, thereby bringing the cases within the residuary provision contained in section 2(ix) of the Act of 1939,” the SC explained.

The dissolution could therefore lawfully be sustained, but on a juridical basis different from that adopted by the family courts, the SC judgement noted, adding that the petitioners’ marriages were liable to dissolution on the ground of Shiqaq falling within section 2(ix) of the Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act, 1939, and not on the basis of Khula.

However, the directions requiring the petitioners to return, surrender or waive their dower merely as a consequence of Khula should consequently be set aside, the SC ruled. Their entitlement to dower would be determined in accordance with the Act of 1939, it declared.

The SC observed that the Quranic emphasis on reconciliation in cases of Shiqaq was meaningful precisely because it contemplated the possibility that reconciliation might fail. “The law should neither rush towards separation nor prolong a matrimonial relationship which has ceased to serve its lawful purposes,” the judgement held.

Lawful conclusion

Where reconciliation had failed and the relationship had reached the condition of Shiqaq, the judicial task was to bring the matter to a lawful conclusion without unnecessary attribution of blame or deprivation of rights, the judgement explained.

The SC emphasised that courts must distinguish between an unhappy marriage and one in a state of Shiqaq.

“Mere incompatibility, occasional disagreement, anger, short separation or the existence of matrimonial litigation cannot, by themselves, satisfy the test. The court must be satisfied that the breach is genuine, serious and continuing; that the matrimonial relationship has ceased to function in accordance with its essential purposes; and that reconciliation has failed despite meaningful judicial effort,” the judgement emphasised.

“It [Shiqaq] requires a genuine and continuing rupture of such character that the essential purposes of marriage cannot realistically be fulfilled, coupled with failure of reasonable efforts at reconciliation.”

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2026

“Yes, I have resigned from the body [due to] personal commitments,” Mr Naek, who has also served as chairman of the Senate, told Dawn.

In a one-page letter addressed to Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani, as well as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who is the leader of the house in the Senate, Mr Naek expressed gratitude at being appointed a member of the JCP from the treasury benches. He said that it was a “great honour and privilege” for him to serve as a member of the JCP.

Mr Naek had participated in a number of JCP proceedings to appoint judges for different high courts, as well as the Supreme Court.

As a lawyer, he represented PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari before the Supreme Court in the presidential reference moved by the latter’s father, President Asif Ali Zardari, in the murder case of former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

He also appeared in several constitutional petitions before the SC, including cases concerning reserved seats, amendments to the accountability laws, presidential immunities and provincial assembly disputes.

Although he remained associated with the PPP for three decades, he shot to prominence when he defended late former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and Mr Zardari in a number of corruption and criminal cases during former military dictator Pervez Musharraf’s rule.

As a law minister, he also defended the then-federal government in the infamous graft case against Mr Zardari, but eventually dispatched a letter to Swiss legal authorities in line with SC directives in the National Reconciliation Order case in November 2012 to reopen the case.

Mr Naek has served as a senator from Sindh since 2003. He was appointed the law minister after the 2008 general elections, and reappointed in April 2012 after his three-year term as Senate chairman.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2026

Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra presided over the proceedings, during which both accused were produced via video link.

At the outset, Mr Chattha objected to the framing of charges, stating that he had not yet been provided copies of the case documents. He argued that charges could not be framed before completion of all legal formalities.

Advocate Zainab Janjua, representing the couple, also opposed the indictment, submitting that neither of them had been provided copies of the case record.

Couple objects to charges over ‘incomplete legal formalities’

She further contended that the accused had not been allowed to meet their lawyers and, therefore, the requirements for framing charges had not been fulfilled.

Despite the objections, the court proceeded with the formal indictment of both accused.

Addressing Ms Mazari and Mr Chattha, Judge Sipra observed that they could challenge the order if they wished to do so.

Witnesses summoned

The court subsequently summoned prosecution witnesses on Friday and directed that both accused be produced before it at the next hearing.

The proceedings were then adjourned until Oct 9 (Friday).

A day earlier, the indictment hearing had been postponed after it appeared that the couple could not be produced before the court via video link due to a power outage.

The lawyer couple has been in jail since their arrest on Jan 23 in a case registered against them for protesting outside the Islamabad High Court and allegedly manhandling the IHC Bar Association president. The arrest prompted criticism from rights bodies, politicians and journalists, who stressed the couple’s right to a fair trial.

Just a day later, a sessions court sentenced them to 17 years on multiple charges under Peca in a case pertaining to controversial social media posts.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2026

Interior Minister Moh­sin Naqvi and Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhary held separate meetings with British Minister of State for For­e­ign Affairs Stephen Doug­hty and Polish Minister and Head of the Council of Ministers Tomasz Siemoniak.

In his meeting with the British minister, Mr Naqvi stressed the need for joint measures to curb the trend of travelling to the UK on fake student visas.

During the meeting with the Polish minister, bilateral relations and ways to further enhance security cooperation were discussed.

The two sides agreed to finalise various MoUs, including one on Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA), at the earliest. It was also agreed that a delegation of the Ministry of Interior, led by Mr Chaudhary, would visit Poland soon.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2026

NORTH WAZIRISTAN/QUETTA: Security forces eliminated 18 terrorists in separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, state media reported on Wednesday, citing security sources.

In KP, according to PTV, security forces “killed 13 Fitna al-Khawarij terrorists in an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in North Waziris­tan, as operations against terrorist groups continue under the Azm-i-Istehkam vision”.

Separately, in Balochistan’s Mastung district, security for­ces killed five terrorists belo­n­ging to Fitna al-Hindustan, the state media reported.

It added that security forces recovered heavy weapons and ammunition from the slain terrorists, and clearance and search operations were underway under Operation Radd-ul-Fitna 3.

Fitna al-Khawarij is a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, while the state has designated Balochistan-based terrorist groups as Fitna al-Hindustan to highlight India’s alleged role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended the security forces for their successful operations against terrorists in KP and Balochistan, according to Radio Pakistan.

In a statement, the president said the operations were “a clear expression of the firm resolve against terrorist elements”.

In a separate statement, the prime minister said operations against Fitna al-Khawarij will continue until the complete elimination of terrorism and the establishment of lasting peace in the country. He said terrorists seeking to undermine the country’s peace and security will not be allowed to succeed in their “nefarious designs”.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti also praised the security forces for killing five terrorists in Mastung. He said security forces were performing their responsibilities with full commitment to eliminate terrorism and restore peace and stability in Balochistan.

CM Bugti said operations against terrorists would be taken to their logical conclusion and would continue until terrorism was completely eliminated from the province.

Terrorism in KP, Balochistan

KP and Balochistan have witnessed terrorist attacks and security challenges for a long time. KP, excluding the merged districts, recorded 54 terrorist attacks in August, compared to 36 in July, representing an increase of 50 per cent, according to data compiled by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS).

A day earlier, in another North Waziristan IBO, security forces killed five terrorists, state media said. On Oct 2, security forces killed seven terrorists in an IBO in North Waziristan. On Sept 30, security forces killed three terrorists in an IBO in KP’s Mir Ali.

Meanwhile, in Balochistan’s Chagai, security forces killed two terrorists on Sept 29.

The number of terrorist attacks in the province increased by seven per cent from 83 in July to 89 in August, according to PICSS’ monthly assessment. As per the report, Balochistan was declared the province “most affected” by terrorism.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2026

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court on Wednesday rejected a petition filed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi challenging proceedings initiated against him by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for allegedly violating the election code of conduct during by-elections in Haripur in November 2025.

A bench comprising Justice Syed Arshad Ali and Justice Muhammad Faheem Wali pronounced a short order dismissing the petition without touching the question of the ECP’s jurisdiction in light of an earlier court order.

The detailed judgement will be issued later.

With the dismissal of the petition, a stay order earlier granted in favour of Mr Afridi also stands vacated.

Following the preliminary hearing of the petition earlier this year, the court had ordered, “In the meanwhile, the respondent-ECP may proceed with the matter; however, it shall not pass any final order adverse to the petitioner (Sohail Afridi) till further orders.”

The development assumes significance amid growing tensions between KP and federal governments over the ongoing protest march.

A panel of lawyers appeared for the petitioner, including Adnan Ali, Bashir Khan Wazir, Barrister Sarwar Muzaffar Shah and Inam Yousafzai. The ECP was represented by Additional Director General (Law) Khurram Shehzad and Additional Director (Law) Samran Jehangir, while Barrister Sajeel Sheharyar Swati appeared for the complainant against Mr Afridi before the ECP.

In November last year, the chief minister and by-election candidate Shehrnaz Omar Ayub, backed by PTI, had challenged notices issued to them by the ECP for allegedly violating the election code of conduct.

Mr Afridi had challenged a notice issued to him by the ECP on Nov 20, accusing him of delivering a provocative speech against government functionaries in connection with the by-election in NA-18 Haripur.

The ECP contended that the CM’s speech was contrary to the code of conduct issued by the commission for the by-election.

Mr Afridi had asked the high court to set aside the impugned notice. However, on Nov 26, the court dismissed both petitions, observing that no adverse order had so far been passed against the petitioners.

The bench had observed that it expected the ECP, in the first instance, to determine its jurisdiction in the matter before proceeding further with the inquiry.

Mr Afridi again approached the court earlier this year, contending that the ECP had been proceeding against him without first deciding the question of its jurisdiction, contrary to the Elections Act, 2017.

ECP counsel Khurram Shehzad argued that the petition was not maintainable and was liable to be dismissed as no order had so far been passed against the petitioner.

He submitted that the proceedings pending before the commission were independent in nature and separate from those pending before the district monitoring officer (DMO).

He argued that the ECP had two types of jurisdiction — one concerning civil wrongs and the other concerning cases of a criminal nature.

Under Section 15 of the Elections Act, 2017, he said, the ECP could take cognisance of matters relating to implementation of the code of conduct on its own motion as well as on a complaint filed by an aggrieved person.

He contended that an almost identical petition had been dismissed by the court in November last year.

Mr Afridi’s counsel, Adnan Ali, stated that the ECP had issued the controversial notice to the chief minister on Nov 20, 2025.

“The allegation pertained to remarks made against election staff and influencing the election,” he said.

“The speech delivered by the chief minister was outside the jurisdiction of NA-18 Haripur, where the by-election was held on Nov 23, 2025,” the counsel argued.

He said that once the DMO had issued a notice to Mr Afridi under Section 234 of the Elections Act, the ECP lacked jurisdiction to issue another notice to him under Section 15 of the Act.

He argued that the ECP had clubbed a private complaint filed by a rival candidate with its suo motu proceedings. He contended that the ECP was exercising the powers of the DMO. “Here, both the ECP and the DMO issued notices, and the DMO also submitted a report to the former,” he argued.

“Let the Election Commission hear you; present whatever your response is before them,” Justice Arshad Ali remarked.

The bench observed, “This is merely an inquiry by the Election Commission, not a formal action. There is no legal bar preventing the Election Commission from conducting an inquiry.”

However, Mr Afridi’s lawyers maintained that the ECP had initiated a process under which the petitioner could face disqualification.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2026