The series is level at 1-1 after Australia won the opening Test by 214 runs before South Africa responded with an innings and 31-run victory in Gqeberha. With the deciding match being played at one of cricket’s most historic venues, the hosts will also have an opportunity to reclaim the top position in the world Test rankings with a victory.

Captain Temba Bavuma confirmed on Monday that South Africa would otherwise retain the side that levelled the series, backing the players who produced a commanding performance in the second Test.

Coetzee, who last played Test cricket two years ago, offers a like-for-like replacement for Nortje, whose return to the national side after a three-year absence was cut short by a groin injury. Both bowlers can reach speeds of around 150 kilometres per hour, providing the attacking pace South Africa will seek alongside Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen.

“He’s the closest we’ve got to a like-for-like replacement for Anrich Nortje,” Bavuma said of Coetzee. “Gerald’s got that extra bit of pace. You need someone in that enforcer role who can pick up a wicket when the wicket is flat.”

Coetzee has had recent international exposure, featuring in two of the three one-day internationals against Australia last month, and South Africa believe his pace could prove decisive if the Newlands surface offers little assistance to the bowlers.

Bavuma also highlighted the value of all-rounder Wiaan Mulder, whose disciplined medium pace helped South Africa secure victory in Gqeberha. Mulder’s ability to bring the stumps into play offers a different option to the hosts’ frontline fast bowlers.

“When you want someone who brings the stumps into play, Wiaan comes into the conversation,” Bavuma said.

South Africa have further incentive to prevail, with a victory strengthening their position in the race for the WTC final, which they won against Australia at Lord’s last year. However, Bavuma cautioned against looking too far ahead.

“There is a lot of cricket to be played before we get closer to the final against England, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka,” he said. “It is going to be a tough encounter and we want to see guys go out and do special things for the team.”

Australia, meanwhile, will delay naming their playing XI until Tuesday morning as they assess the fitness of key batter Steve Smith, who suffered a neck injury during the second Test. Captain Pat Cummins said the former skipper would be given every opportunity to prove his fitness, although his participation will depend on how he responds to a final examination and a more demanding session in the nets.

Smith has endured an unproductive tour with the bat, averaging a little over 20 across four innings, and his injury has added to the uncertainty surrounding Australia’s batting order. He also took a blow to the head during the first Test.

“He’s been awesome this tour,” Cummins said, praising Smith’s involvement with the team and his attitude despite the setbacks. “He’s one of the greatest batters we’ve ever had. You don’t play 100-odd Tests without matches where you’re not 100 per cent fit.”

Australia are expected to bring Cameron Green back into the middle order following his recovery from an abdominal injury, while Matt Renshaw is likely to return to his customary opening position alongside Travis Head. Nic Maddinson has been released from the squad after a disappointing run of three failures in four innings.

The visitors will also have to contend with the psychological significance of returning to Newlands, where Australia suffered one of the most humiliating defeats in their history in 2011, being dismissed for 47 in their second innings against South Africa.

The venue also carries painful memories for Smith and Cummins, both members of the Australian team involved in the ball-tampering scandal during the 2018 tour of South Africa. Smith, then captain, bore the brunt of the fallout from the incident, which became known as Sandpapergate.

Although the scandal has so far attracted little attention during the current series, the decider could renew scrutiny of Australia’s past, particularly if Smith is fit to play. Teammate Travis Head, however, expressed confidence that the batter could handle the occasion.

Newlands presents another challenge, with Tuesday’s match set to be the first Test played there in October. Only three Tests have previously taken place at the ground in November, all against Australia. The tourists won the first two, in 1902 and 1921, before South Africa claimed an eight-wicket victory in 2011.

Bavuma acknowledged that the timing made conditions difficult to predict, despite the hosts’ experience of playing first-class cricket at the venue during this period.

Australia wicket-keeper Alex Carey also expected a competitive surface, saying the first two Tests had provided balanced contests between bat and ball.

With the series evenly poised, South Africa’s pace attack and Australia’s unsettled batting line-up could prove decisive in determining which side finishes the tour on top.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2026

LAHORE: Buoyed by Shadab Khan’s extraordinary rescue act against England, unbeaten Pakistan will look to maintain their winning momentum when they face Sri Lanka in the fifth match of the One-day International tri-series at the Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday.

Pakistan have secured their place in Saturday’s final after winning all three matches, but the fixture offers captain Shaheen Shah Afridi’s side another opportunity to assess combinations and address concerns over the top order before the title decider.

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will be keen to strengthen their position after beating England by two wickets earlier in the series. A victory on Tuesday would confirm their place in the final alongside Pakistan, while a Pakistan win would keep England’s hopes alive ahead of their last league match against Sri Lanka on Thursday.

The hosts enter the contest after one of the tournament’s most dramatic victories. Chasing England’s 242, Pakistan slumped to 154-9 before Shadab struck an unbeaten 113 off 96 balls, with 13 fours and five sixes, to secure a one-wicket win with 17 balls to spare.

His unbroken 89-run stand with Haris Rauf set a record for the highest 10th-wicket partnership in a successful ODI chase, surpassing the previous mark of 64 set by West Indies’ Deryck Murray and Andy Roberts against Pakistan in the 1975 World Cup.

The innings marked Shadab’s maiden ODI century and came after a difficult period in which his performances had attracted criticism. Speaking after the match, he acknowledged his recent struggles but said he had continued to work on his game.

“Obviously, I didn’t really have good performances in the recent past,” he said, adding that he had kept trying to do his best as a professional.

Shadab also credited Haris for his contribution to the partnership. “I think Haris deserves more credit than me,” he said, explaining that the two batters guided each other through the tense closing stages.

The partnership nearly ended when Shadab was given out lbw on 97. With Pakistan needing 20 runs, Haris urged him to review the decision; UltraEdge revealed an inside edge and the decision was overturned. Shadab later recalled Haris asking him: “Are you going to take the review home with you?”

SAIM RELEASED FROM SQUAD

The dramatic comeback also exposed Pakistan’s top-order frailties. Saim Ayub, who scored six against England, has since been released from the squad at his own request to return to domestic cricket and work on his batting form. Sahibzada Farhan has been named as his replacement.

The move follows another squad change a day earlier, when left-arm wrist spinner Sufiyan Moqim was released, with the Pakistan Cricket Board citing the nature of the Lahore pitches. Left-handed batter Maaz Sadaqat was added as cover for players carrying minor niggles and remains with the squad.

The team management will be looking for greater consistency from the top order, including Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman. Avoiding another early collapse will be crucial against a Sri Lankan side that has shown it can compete in tight matches.

Pakistan’s previous meeting with Sri Lanka offers encouragement. They won by 37 runs, with Salman Ali Agha scoring 107 off 90 balls, including nine fours and a six, before Shaheen led the bowling effort with three wickets.

Shaheen has taken seven wickets in three matches in the tri-series. Against England on Sunday, he became the fastest Pakistan fast bowler to claim 150 ODI wickets when he dismissed Tom Banton in the opening over.

The left-armer has also taken 20 wickets in seven ODIs at the Gaddafi Stadium. Four more would take him past Wasim Akram’s tally of 23 at the venue and make him its leading ODI wicket-taker.

Pakistan hold the advantage in the overall ODI head-to-head record. Of the 161 previous matches between the sides, Pakistan have won 97 and Sri Lanka 59, while one ended in a tie and four produced no result.

Pakistan rested from training on Monday after Sunday’s exhausting contest, while Sri Lanka practised at the Gaddafi Stadium. The hosts will hope the recovery time helps them regain energy after the emotional demands of their narrow victory.

With Pakistan already through to the final, Tuesday’s match will test whether Shadab’s heroics can inspire a more assured performance from the top order. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, have the chance to secure their place in Saturday’s title clash and leave England’s qualification hopes dependent on the final league fixture.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2026

World number 19 Eala arrived at the Pan Pacific Open on the back of a poor run of form that saw her win just one match at her last three tournaments.

That included a shock first-round defeat to 217th-ranked Chinese qualifier Shi Han at the Wuhan Open this month.

Eala avoided a similar banana skin against British 17-year-old Stojsavljevic, brushing past her opponent in 75 minutes.

“I try to look at the player separate from the ranking,” said Eala. “The ball doesn’t know what rank you are.

“It’s just being ready and trying to keep that intensity all the time.”

Eala is followed everywhere by adoring fans eager to see the 21-year-old, who in August became the first player from the Philippines to win a title on the women’s WTA Tour.

She was again supported by a small but passionate group of fans on centre court in Tokyo.

Eala breezed into a 5-0 lead in the first set and closed it out despite Stojsavljevic pulling a game back.

The British player gave her more problems in the second set, but Eala was never seriously troubled and took the match without ever having her service broken.

“It’s a little faster than the court I played on last week,” said Eala. “It’s indoor, comfortable weather, not very hot. I think I’m finding my groove.”

Number five seed Elise Mertens of Belgium also progressed, beating Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima 6-4, 6-2.

But number two seed Maja Chwalinska and defending champion Belinda Bencic both withdrew from the tournament through injury without playing a match.

Bencic, who was the fourth seed, said her season was over after several ligament tears were discovered in her right foot.

“I am still completely unsure when and how this occurred, but it is sadly preventing me from competing here in Tokyo this week and in Hong Kong next week,” said the Swiss player.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2026

Seven-time Grand Slam winner Alcaraz, Rafael Jodar, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Marcel Granollers and Pedro Martinez will compete for Spain, who last won the competition in 2019.

“We have a very good team, without a doubt,” said Ferrer. “I’m happy to have all the players available and very excited.

“Obviously, we’re one of the favourites to win the Davis Cup, but that’s okay, it’s always better to have the best players.”

World number three Alcaraz missed four months of the season with a wrist injury, but returned at the US Open and triumphed in Tokyo at the Japan Open earlier in October.

The competition takes pla­ce in Bologna from Nov 24-29.

Last year’s runners-up Spain will open with a quarter-final against Austria, before a possible semi-final against Britain or Germany.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2026

The results marked a significant moment for the young Pakistani side, who demonstrated resilience, attacking intent and improved composure against two highly regarded teams.

Pakistan began their day against Jordan, taking the lead through Kaleemullah. The Shaheens competed strongly against their Asian opponents and maintained their threat after the interval before Jordan equalised with a close-range effort in which the ball squeezed inside the post.

Despite conceding, Pakistan remained organised and held on to secure a valuable point.

The Shaheens carried their confidence into the second match against Nigeria, one of Africa’s prominent footballing nations, and again took the lead in the first half.

Nigeria drew level following a scramble inside the penalty area, reacting quickest to a loose ball to score from close range. Pakistan, however, refused to surrender the initiative and continued to challenge their physically stronger opponents.

The young side matched Nigeria after the break, showing defensive discipline to deny them a winning goal and claim their second consecutive draw.

Pakistan’s performances against Jordan and Nigeria offered encouragement as they demonstrated an ability to compete with more established opposition, particularly in the second halves.

The double-header followed a difficult outing against South Sudan a day earlier, where Pakistan suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat despite a spirited second-half response. South Sudan scored with a powerful strike into the top corner after exploiting space behind the Pakistani defence.

The Shaheens pressed for an equaliser after the interval, forcing the opposition goalkeeper into several saves, while a second South Sudan goal was ruled out for offside.

Pakistan’s second fixture against Cyprus proved more challenging, with the European side securing a 4-0 victory through two free-kicks, a well-taken finish by their central striker and a penalty.

Cyprus’ aggressive pressing restricted Pak­istan’s ability to build attacks from their own half, while their effectiveness from set pieces exposed defensive weaknesses.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2026

Over the course of two weeks some 2,700 athletes aged 17 or younger are expected to compete across 25 sports, including Russians who are returning to the Games following a ban.

Events ranging from athletics to beach wrestling, rugby sevens to breaking will be held across eight venues in three locations.

Dakar, the nearby suburb of Diamniadio and the beach town of Saly, 80 kilometres (50 miles) from the capital, will all host events.

In total, 136 Senegalese athletes will participate.

The fourth edition of the YOG opens with Senegal mired in debt amid a severe economic crisis.

While a sense of excitement is beginning to stir in the capital, the Youth Olympics have struggled to stoke wild enthusiasm across Senegal, where many are more concerned with the high cost of living, unemployment and economic hardship.

Senegalese authorities, who have overseen extensive infrastructure projects, view their efforts as an investment in the future as well as an occasion for training and long-term skill development.

They also hope the event will highlight Dakar as a major African destination.

Upon welcoming the Youth Olympic flame to Dakar on September 12, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye told the country that “all of Africa’s youth is watching (you) with confidence and pride”.

He said he wanted those who attended “to take away from the experience that Africa’s youth is brimming with energy, that they are standing tall and determined, and that they are proud”.

The flame then travelled 3,600 kilometres (2,200 miles), touring all 14 regions of Senegal.

RETURN OF THE RUSSIAN ATHLETES

The Games will mark the return of Russians to Olympic competition under their own colours following a ban.

In July, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) effectively lifted the Russian Olympic Committee’s (ROC) suspension.

According to the ROC, 13 Russian athletes will participate and 10 coaches will accompany them to Senegal.

During a meeting in Moscow a week ago, Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev, who also heads the ROC, told the young athletes that “after your victories — and I’m sure there will be some — the Russian anthem will be played and the Russian flag will be raised”.

Cyclist Angelina Novolodskaya shared her excitement with AFP.

“When I was told that there would be Youth Olympic Games and that I could go, it was just ‘Wow’. It’s so cool and extraordinary”, she said.

However, it is up to each sport’s international federation whether to authorise the Russian athletes’ participation.

The international athletics governing body, World Athletics, is maintaining a ban, while the judo and swimming federations have allowed the Russians’ return with their flag and national anthem.

The Dakar Youth Games will also welcome a refugee Olympic team, composed primarily of athletes based in Africa.

The IOC has called the Dakar YOG an important milestone for the continent and an opportunity to showcase Senegal’s cultural richness and Africa’s growing role within the Olympics.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2026

Alex Jimenez’s rocket strike had struggling Fiorentina heading for a shock win at San Siro, but Marcus Thuram levelled in the 91st minute before winning a penalty that Piotr Zielinski converted in the 98th minute.

The result lifted Inter to first place, level with surprise fellow pace-setters Lazio on 22 points, while the Florence club’s winless run stretched to four games to keep them in 18th spot.

Later on Sunday, Juventus claimed a 2-0 win over Lecce that lifted them into seventh place after a poor recent run of form and AC Milan bounced back from a heavy Europa League defeat to Bournemouth by beating Udinese 2-0 to go fourth.

Inter’s fifth comeback win of the season saw them concede for the 10th time, but head coach Cristian Chivu was unconcerned by his side’s defensive issues.

“That’s football: sometimes you concede,” Chivu told DAZN. “The important thing is not to let your heads drop and to maintain the same mentality. Ever since I arrived here, I’ve always said that games last 90 minutes. I don’t want to see people feel sorry for themselves,” Chivu added. “I want to see players respond to setbacks.”

MILAN, JUVE RETURN TO FORM

Milan continued their unbeaten start to the league season and responded to their midweek drubbing in Bournemouth by claiming a confident win away to Udinese.

“We need time to work on several things, but we don’t have time sometimes even to address the problems we had in the last game,” Milan coach Ruben Amorim told DAZN.

“We are learning in the games, with videos, in team meetings, because for three weeks we have barely had any training. I am proud of these lads, because they are paying attention to everything.”

Christian Pulisic put the Rossoneri in front by plucking a long Luka Modric pass out of the air and finishing calmly after six minutes, and Omari Hutchinson doubled their lead with his first Milan goal from close range in the second half.

Milan moved level with third-placed AS Roma on 18 points after claiming their first away league win.

It continued a desperate run of form for Udinese, whose losing run was extended to six games to leave them in 17th place.

Meanwhile, Juventus claimed a much-needed win away to Lecce to relieve some pressure on head coach Luciano Spalletti.

Last weekend’s humbling 3-0 defeat at home to Lazio left Juve in mid-table with one win in five league games, and a 2-2 midweek Europa League draw with Rennes did little to improve the mood in Turin.

But they bounced back as Weston McKennie steered home a Douglas Luiz free-kick before the Brazilian midfielder scored one of his own by whipping a shot into the bottom corner before the break.

Lecce threatened in the second half but their evening ended on a sour note when Kialonda Gasper was sent off in the final minute.

“We had a very good game in terms of playing quick, heads-up football,” Spalletti said to Sky Sport.

“We dropped off a bit with our management of the second half and then everything became more difficult because we had less courage. We needed to do the same things we did in the first half.”

There was an eight-goal thriller in Bergamo as Atalanta and Frosinone played out a 4-4 draw, while Genoa beat bottom side Venezia 1-0 to climb out of the relegation zone.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2026

Bayern had been cruising at the Europa Park Stadion after taking an early lead when central defender Dayot Upamecano scored an unlikely opener in the 17th minute, sprinting forward through the middle on the counter-attack and latching on to a pass from Michael Olise before expertly slotting the ball past keeper Mio Backhaus.

Freiburg, who got off to a superb start to the league season with four wins and a draw in their first five games before losing to Bayer Leverkusen, found themselves two down when winger Serge Gnabry surged down the left channel and finished from a tight angle three minutes before the break.

The home side were thrown a lifeline when Bischof turned a pass from Rihito Yamamoto into his own net in the 82nd minute, but Olise restored his side’s two-goal advantage deep into stoppage time to secure the win.

Bayern are top of the table with 17 points from seven games, ahead of Borussia Dortmund on goal difference. Freiburg are third on 13 points.

Bayern were missing several first-team players and coach Vincent Kompany, who was hospitalised as he collapsed while conducting a training session.

Kompany remains in hospital and is being treated for a mystery virus, with Bayern saying Saturday the coach is likely to be out for “days, not weeks”.

“I just opened my phone to a message from Vince saying ‘well done’ and he was happy,” assistant coach Aaron Danks told DAZN. “I just replied saying ‘brilliant — now go rest’. I sent him a kissing emoji, so hopefully he rests up.”

Earlier in the afternoon, Hoffenheim cruised to a 3-0 home win over Leverkusen but lost midfielder Alexander Prass to a late red card after he removed his shirt to celebrate scoring a goal.

Facing the team fourth in the standings, Andrej Kramaric had given mid-table Hoffenheim the lead from the penalty spot in the 79th minute, and Prass all but wrapped up the three points for the home side by netting a second in the 89th minute.

Forgetting that he had been booked on the stroke of half-time, Prass took off his shirt to celebrate and was horrified when he was shown a second yellow card before Max Moerstedt put the game beyond doubt with a third goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2026

Customs took the lead in the final minute of the first quarter when Bilal Aslam converted the team’s first penalty corner with a high flick into the top-left corner.

Guangdong equalised three minutes before half-time through Qui Wenxuan, who converted a penalty corner.

Customs regained the lead in the 39th minute after a well-worked move ended with Shahzaib Khan scoring from close range. The Chinese side earned three penalty corners in quick succession but failed to restore parity.

Bilal extended Customs’ lead to 3-1 in the 51st minute, converting another penalty corner as the ball deflected off the goalkeeper’s pads into the goal.

Guangdong reduced the deficit in the final minute through captain Chao Jieming, who fired a reverse hit from the top of the circle into the right corner.

However, Customs held on to secure a 3-2 victory in the encounter.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2026

According to Pakistan Rugby Union (PRU) president Rizwan Malik, nine countries will compete in the men’s event, including Pakistan, hosts Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain and Kyrgyzstan.

Aaqib has been named captain, while Kashif Khawaja will serve as head coach and Jahangir will accompany the squad as team manager.

Squad: Aamir Butt (Wapda), Moha­mmad Asif (Eagles Rugby Club), Moha­mmad Khurram (Army), Daud (Wapda), Mohsin (Army), Mohammad Faiq (Lahore Hawks Rugby Club), Mudassir (Army), Aamir Vohra (Army), Hasnain (Army), Khalid Bhatti (Wapda), Aaqib.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2026

The 20-year-old Italian delivered a well-executed and dominant drive to claim his ninth victory this year for Mercedes in Sunday’s United States Grand Prix and move within reach of the title.

Antonelli is on the brink of smashing the previous record for youngest champion, held by Sebastian Vettel who was 23 years and 133 days old when he won his first title in 2010. He is also set to become the first Italian to win the title since Alberto Ascari in 1953.

“The best way, the perfect way, would be to finish off in style and then just enjoy the rest of the season,” he said.

“I’m very aware that it’s very close but the mindset doesn’t change.

“I want to finish the season on a high in order to then go with high hopes into 2027. But we’ll first focus and worry about finishing this well, and then we’ll see.”

After Sunday’s triumph at the Circuit of the Americas he leads with 365 points ahead of nearest rival and team-mate George Russell on 242 and Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari on 241.

He will be champion if he finishes in the top nine or, if he doesn’t score, Russell or Hamilton fail to win. But on current form, after winning again for the first time in four races, he looks certain to take the title in his own happy, generous and infectious style.

“That was the perfect way to end the weekend,” he said.

“It was an incredible team effort, especially from strategy, to believe in me and go for one stop because I wasn’t sure whether one or two stop was the quickest.

“But I’m really happy that we made it stick. Today was a really important victory for me and for the team, especially after having a couple of difficult races, so being back on top feels very good.”

Russell needed to finish in the top eight to remain notionally in the title race and he did indeed finish eighth after taking an early five-second penalty.

“My pace was just rubbish today. That’s the long and short of it,” he said. “Of course, the five seconds didn’t help things and probably cost me two or three positions, but nevertheless, the pace was not good enough when it needed to be.”

Hamilton is the only other driver who still has a mathematical chance of catching Antonelli but the seven-time champion was left to rue missed opportunities in Sunday’s race.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2026

Fast bowler Syeda Masooma Zahra held her nerve in the final over, defending 11 runs and restricting Stars to four runs off the last ball as Strikers completed an unbeaten run through the tournament, winning all nine of their matches.

Off-spinner Rameen Shamim was the pick of the bowlers, returning figures of two for nine in her four overs. Fellow off-spinner Omaima Sohail also bowled economically, conceding just 11 runs in four overs while claiming one wicket.

After winning the toss and opting to bat, Strikers made a brisk start through Eman Naseer (20 off 12 balls, four fours) and Aqsa Habib, who put on 27 for the opening wicket.

However, they lost five wickets for 58 runs before captain Natalia steadied the innings with a top score of 30 off 31 balls, including one four.

Huraina Sajjad contributed 16 off 10 balls, while Rameen added 15 off 16 deliveries as Strikers were dismissed for 115 in 19 overs.

Leg-spinner Hafsa Khalid claimed four wickets for 29 runs, her second four-wicket haul of the tournament, while Stars captain Tuba took two wickets for 17 runs in her four overs. Diana also picked up two wickets for 23 runs, dismissing Najiha Alvi and Eman.

In reply, Sadaf, named the tournament’s best batter, anchored the Stars innings as wickets fell at the other end. She scored 37 off 38 balls, hitting three fours and two sixes.

Iram Javed (13 off nine balls, three fours) and Hafsa (11 off 16 balls, one four) made useful starts but failed to convert them into substantial contributions. Tuba scored 14 off 13 balls, including two fours, before falling to Rameen.

With Stars struggling at 74-3, the chase faltered further as they slipped to 103-8. Diana kept their hopes alive with an unbeaten 16 off 17 balls, including two fours, striking a boundary off the first ball of the final over.

She and Aqsa Bibi, who remained unbeaten on four off four balls, added 11 runs for the ninth wicket, but the late surge proved insufficient as Stars finished just short of the target.

Aqsa, Zunash Abdul Sattar and Masooma claimed one wicket apiece for Strikers, who held on to seal a dramatic one-run victory.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2026

The French forward hit a brace to bring up his century for Los Blancos acr­oss all competitions since joining in 2024.

Mbappe’s double, either side of a Raphinha strike for the hosts at Camp Nou, brought third-place Real Madrid within three points of the La Liga leaders and reigning Spanish champions.

“I’m very happy, I think everyone knows I like to score goals, I like to help the team with that, but I think today it’s just a detail, because... the most important thing is the team’s win,” Mbappe told Real Madrid TV.

“Honestly, the real star of the game today is the team, the group, because we knew we had to play a big game, a team game...

“We know that in the end it was a great game, but it still only counts as three points, and we need to pick up a lot of points to win La Liga.”

Jose Mourinho’s Real have now won five matches in a row and seem to be coming into strong form.

“It doesn’t mean anything, we have to continue, because five games for us is nothing, we want to win every game,” added Mbappe, 27.

“[Winning] is a good message today, but we can’t think the season is done — next week [at Racing] Santander we have to put in the same intensity.”

Mourinho echoed Mbappe’s statement.

“If we win today but lose at El Sardinero, it counts for nothing, because Real Madrid isn’t playing to win at the Camp Nou,” Mourinho said. “They’re playing to win the championship.”

A win in the first Clasico of his second spell suggests Mourinho’s Real can challenge Barcelona’s recent La Liga dominance in his first season back in Spain.

“The lads played an extraordinary match,” said Mourinho in his press conference afterwards.

“Very organised, focused, and showing the courage to play the ball out from the back against an opponent that applied a lot of pressure.”

Time and again, Mourinho’s side moved the ball with urgency and precision in their own half to escape Barcelona’s pressing.

Fede Valverde was praised for playing through injury by Mourinho, but above all he embodied the presence of mind to identify where the space was whenever the ball was turned over.

Barca had won six of the seven previous Clasicos since Flick arrived but were surprisingly subdued against Mourinho’s side.

“You saw today, we lacked freshness,” said Barca coach Hansi Flick of his team’s performance. “It’s the first defeat in La Liga, we won nine in a row. This is what we have to see.

“Defeats are a part of the game. We have to analyse, we have to make things better. Now it’s important that we make a reaction.”

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2026

Sebastian Szymanski scored a double for Rennes, who advanced to 16 points from eight games, with Boulaye Dia opening the scoring in a comfortable triumph.

Lille and Monaco are level on 15 points after they played out a 1-1 draw in the Principality, with Ethan Mbappe opening the scoring in the 24th minute as Lille imposed their early dominance.

New Monaco coach Filipe Luis switched things around with a bevy of changes for the second half and, following Tanguy Nianzou’s dismissal in the 66th minute, Edan Diop equalised in the 74th minute.

“The plan worked well in the first half,” Lille coach Davide Ancelotti said. “We managed to stick together,” he added of his side following the dismissal of Nianzou. “The mood in the dressing room is positive because we held on until the end.”

Also on Sunday, there was a 4-3 home triumph for beleaguered Olympique de Marseille over Le Havre, helping them move up the league ladder after being stuck in the relegation zone just weeks ago.

They are now eighth with 12 points, although it was a nerve-wracking affair for home fans before Marseille secured a third consecutive league victory.

Le Havre had a penalty claim for possible handball seven minutes into stoppage time at the end of the game waved away after a VAR review.

Marseille had led 4-0 in the 55th minute but nearly threw it away as Le Havre fought back to 4-3 with one minute to go.

Le Havre remain bottom with two points from their first eight games of the season, three points adrift of Troyes, who picked up an away point in a goalless draw at Toulouse.

There were also draws as Lorient were goalless away at Angers, while AJ Auxerre were held 1-1 at home by Le Mans.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2026

KARACHI: The Pakis­tan Stock Exchange (PSX) posted marginal gains on Monday on value-hunting, despite strong anticipation of an interest rate hike later in the day.

The benchmark KSE-100 index closed above 163,000 points after rema­ining depressed in recent weeks amid elevated oil prices, mounting inflationary pressures and persistent geopolitical concerns.

Topline Securities Ltd sa­­­id the PSX staged a modest recovery, with the benc­hmark closing at 163,038.47 points, up 663.59 points, or 0.41 per cent. The index tr­­­a­­­­ded between 161,250 and 163,477 points, reflecting co­­­n­­­tinued volatility am­id cautious investor sentiment.

The recovery provided some relief after five consecutive weeks of declines, although broader market sentiment remained sensitive to domestic and external economic developments.

Index recovers 664 points amid cautious trading ahead of SBP rate decision

Investor sentiment remained cautious amid persistent geopolitical tensions, elevated international oil prices and expectations about the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) monetary policy decision. Market participants continued to assess the potential implications of these factors for inflation, interest rates and the broader economic outlook.

Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Ltd, noted continued volatility as the market moved in both directions amid cautious investor sentiment ahead of the Monetary Policy Comm­ittee announcement, which raised the policy rate by 50 bps, from 11.50pc to 12.00pc in the evening, in line with expectations.

The decision reflects heightened geopolitical risks from the US-Iran conflict, which have pushed up global oil and food prices and raised concerns about domestic inflation.

On the geopolitical front, Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces arrived in Tehran on Monday for talks involving Iran and members of the Makkah defence pact, including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, amid escalating regional tensions following Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.

United Bank, Engro Holdings, Lucky Cement, Oil and Gas Development Company and Mari Energies collectively contributed 719 points to the index. Conversely, Meezan Bank, Engro Fertiliser, Fauji Fertiliser Company, Pakistan Services Ltd and Habib Bank collectively eroded 367 points.

Despite a mild recovery rally, investor participation weakened as total trading volume dipped 5.74pc to 376 million shares and total turnover fell 11.04pc to Rs16.19 billion. LSE Financial (R) topped the volume chart with 25.4m shares.

Analysts expect markets to have largely priced in today’s 50bps rate hike, potentially supporting a short-term recovery in interest-rate-sensitive sectors. Still, the index may remain volatile between 160,000 and 168,000 this week amid cautious sentiment and shifting macroeconomic and geopolitical developments, including talks between Iranian officials and representatives from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2026

The results were announced after a meeting of the bank’s board of directors, which reviewed and approved the unaudited financial statements for the period, a spokesperson said.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2026

Staff on select teams in the US, Canada, India and Britain at vice president level and below will be eligible, a Microsoft spokesperson said, while some groups of employees, including some working on data centres, sales and marketing, are excluded.

“The Voluntary Exit Of­­fer reflects an important part of how we’re evolving our approach to change: creating greater flexibility and, where possible, more ways for emp­loyees to shape their next chapter,” Amy Cole­man, an executive vice president and chief people officer, told employees in a memo.

It’s the second voluntary buyout offer that Microsoft has offered employees this year.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2026

Brent crude futures rose 49 cents, or 0.4pc, to $117.21 at 12:51pm ET (1637 GMT), while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures were down 35 cents, or 0.34pc, at $102.92 per barrel.

Both benchmarks retreated after strong gains on Friday, with Brent settling more than $3 higher to post a weekly gain of 6pc, while WTI rose 2.3pc.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2026

The widening gap reflects a contraction in Pakistan’s exports to regional markets, largely due to reduced shipments to Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

Trade with Afghanistan, including exports, has remained suspended since Oct 10, 2025, further weighing on overall export performance.

Imports from China rose sharply during the July-September quarter, contributing significantly to the widening imbalance. Consequently, the bilateral deficit with China widened by $858.808 million, accounting for approximately 82.18pc of the increase in the combined deficit with the nine countries.

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

Exports to China rose marginally, while exports to Nepal also grew in percentage terms, though the increase remained negligible in dollar value.

In contrast, shipments to Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka declined, according to the latest data compiled by the State Bank of Pakistan.

Exports to nine countries—Afghanistan, China, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, Iran, Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives—fell 6.72pc to $944.24mn in July to September of FY27, down from $1.01 billion in the same period last year.

By contrast, imports surged 19.79pc to $5.92bn in 3MFY27 from $4.94bn in the same months of the previous fiscal year.

Further analysis showed that imports from China grew 19.76pc to $5.82bn in 3MFY27, up from $4.85bn over the same period last year. Pakistan’s exports to China grew 17.95pc to $663.57m in 3MFY27 from $562.56m in the same months of the preceding fiscal year.

Imports from India increased by 68.90pc to $61.74m in 3MFY27 from $36.55m over the last year. Meanwhile, no exports to India were recorded in the first quarter of FY27.

Exports to Afghanistan fell 88.34pc to $18.86m in 3MFY27, down from $161.76m last year. Imports stood at $0.25m in 3MFY27, compared with $4.52m in FY26, a decline of 94.40pc.

Pakistan’s exports to Bangladesh declined by 2.96pc to $174.77m in 3MFY27 from $180.12m over the last year. Imports dipped 36.11pc to $13.88m in 3MFY27 from $21.73m over the last year.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2026

This was the crux of a meeting Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik held on Monday with US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, according to an official statement.

The minister briefed Ms Baker on the measures taken to ensure energy security amid the evolving geopolitical situation. He highlighted that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East had created challenges for fuel availability, requiring proactive measures to maintain uninterrupted supplies.

Petroleum minister seeks investment in $6bn refinery projects

Ms Baker congratulated Pakistan on efficiently managing the fuel supply situation, noting that the country had not experienced a fuel shortage despite the challenging regional circumstances.

The minister underscored Pakistan’s commitment to securing its energy needs and highlighted ongoing engagement between the two countries to explore cooperation opportunities. He noted that Pakistan’s refinery upgradation programme could offer investment opportunities for US financial institutions.

Ms Baker expressed the United States’ desire to work closely with Pakistan to address its energy needs. She emphasised the importance of creating opportunities for US companies in Pakistan and expressed optimism about establishing long-term energy supply contracts, noting that such arrangements would be mutually beneficial and create opportunities for American businesses.

The managing directors of Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and Pakistan LNG Ltd (PLL) briefed participants on US companies’ interest in supplying LNG to Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2026

The Cabinet Committee on State-Owned Enterpri­ses (CCoSOEs), chaired by Finance Minister Muh­ammad Aurangzeb, took the decision and also approved the induction of new board members to a couple of SOEs.

The committee appro­ved a request from the Mi­nistry of Climate Chan­ge and Environ­me­ntal Coordina­tion to activate the CEFC under the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (PEPA) by appointing two ex-officio and three independent directors, an official statement said.

The company was established in 2015 under section 42 of the Companies’ Ordinance to support environmental protection, conservation, rehabilitation, and improvement by facilitating the mobilisation and utilisation of resources for environmental initiatives, but it remained inactive despite repeated warnings from state auditors about statutory violations.

The Auditor General of Pakistan pointed out that the CEFC failed to meet its core objectives because it did not hold board meetings and remained dormant, violating the statutory requirement to hold even annual general meetings mandated under Section 132 of the Companies Act.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2026

“This will help ensure uninterrupted supplies and protect the country against potential market disruptions,” he said at a press conference in Islamabad.

His remarks came days after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced an indicative wheat price of Rs4,500 per maund for 2027, an increase of Rs1,000 from the previous year.

Mr Hussain said the government had fixed the wheat support price at Rs4,500 per maund after extensive consultations with all provincial governments.

Rana Tanveer says no shortage expected, describes prevailing price hike as artificial

“The enhanced support price will not only maintain stability in the domestic wheat market but also enable the country to export wheat next year,” he added.

“The decision on the new support price reflects the approach aimed at safeguarding farmers’ interests.”

The minister explained that imported wheat would also cost around Rs4,500 per maund, making domestic procurement a more suitable option. He reiterated that the government would prioritise Pakistani farmers rather than rely unnecessarily on imported wheat.

Providing details of wheat supplies, the minister said that more than 1.3m tonnes of wheat had been provided to the provinces from stocks of the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (Passco).

He further stated that arrangements could be made to import up to 550,000 tonnes of wheat in accordance with provincial requirements and demand.

‘Market manipulation’

Expressing concern over recent fluctuations in wheat prices, Mr Hussain described the prevailing price hike as artificial and manipulated by certain market elements. He maintained that sufficient wheat stocks were available in the country and expressed confidence that prices would return to normal within the next few days.

The food minister emphasised that the government was closely monitoring market developments and would take necessary measures to discourage artificial shortages, speculative practices and unjustified price increases.

The minister said that the federal government, under the leadership of Mr Shehbaz, was taking comprehensive measures to strengthen agricultural productivity, improve market regulation and ensure the availability of essential food commodities across the country.

Discussing broader agricultural reforms, Mr Hussain stated that the government had also formulated policies relating to seeds, olives and biotechnology to modernise Pakistan’s agricultural sector, improve crop productivity and encourage innovation.

He reiterated that ensuring the “availability of quality seeds, promoting modern agricultural technologies and improving regulatory mechanisms” were essential for increasing agricultural productivity and reducing farmers’ production costs.

Endorsing the government’s pledge to export wheat next year, Pakistan Kissan Ittehad President Khalid Mahmood Khokhar appreciated the government’s decision to fix the wheat price at Rs4,500 per 40kg. He expressed his satisfaction over the consultation process and acknowledged the importance of providing farmers with a predictable and reasonable price for their produce.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2026

M. Abdul Aleem, Secretary General of the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry, acknowledged the SBP’s move, saying it was needed to contain inflationary pressure and safeguard macroeconomic stability amid global energy price risks.

However, with large-scale manufacturing growth recovering to 1.9pc in July-August FY26 and private-sector credit expanding 14.1pc year-on-year, it is equally important to sustain the emerging momentum in investment and economic activity, he said.

As inflationary pressures are significantly influenced by external energy prices and domestic supply constraints, he emphasised that monetary tightening must be complemented by targeted supply-side reforms, fiscal discipline, competitive energy tariffs, broader tax-base coverage and predictable taxation and regulatory policies.

Foreign investors back SBP’s move to curb inflation, while industry says it will hurt exports and growth

In contrast, FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh said raising the policy rate to an uncompetitive 12pc would further inflate borrowing costs for manufacturers already grappling with unprecedented high overheads, soaring utility tariffs and liquidity constraints.

Instead of curbing inflation — driven largely by supply-side bottlenecks, energy costs and fiscal anomalies rather than excess demand — tight monetary policy has crippled domestic manufacturing, he said, urging the government and the State Bank to recalibrate the framework and bring the policy rate to single digits to make credit affordable for trade, SMEs and large-scale manufacturing.

High interest rates also place an unmanageable debt-servicing burden on the exchequer and private borrowers, creating a cycle of fiscal distress and stagnant output, he said, asking the SBP to align rates with regional benchmarks.

KCCI President Talat Mahmood warned that the hike would further raise the cost of doing business, discourage private-sector investment and undermine growth. He said Pakistan needs to strengthen its productive capacity, attract investment, generate employment and accelerate export-led growth but the policy rate hike will send the wrong signal to businesses planning to invest and expand.

SITE Association of Industry President Abdul Hadi said the move would further aggravate industry problems at a time when factories are operating far below capacity and barely surviving.

The business community has long demanded a single-digit policy rate, but industry’s real problems have again been ignored, he said, adding that high rates will not only make fresh funding harder but also increase the burden on existing loans.

He said the rate hike would burden manufacturers, forcing formal businesses to shut down or scale back, as costlier borrowing would hit new investment, expansion and production.

Korangi Association of Trade & Industry President Sheikh Umer Rehan said the hike could hurt industry, business growth, and recovery, adding that inflation could also be curbed by cutting energy costs, fixing taxation, improving the business climate, and implementing effective industrial policies.

Pakistan Textile Exporters Association Chairman Rehan Naseem Bharara said the rate hike would raise working-capital costs, constrain investment and weaken global competitiveness at a time when industry is already grappling with expensive energy and financing.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2026

QUETTA/DERA MURAD JAMALI: As the Balochistan government on Monday decided to intensify operations against criminals, Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langove announced ban on gatherings in Pishin district with an immediate effect.

He issued the order for the imposition of Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure while chairing a meeting held to review security situation in Pishin and other areas.

The home minister said protection of citizens’ lives and property was the top priority of the government.

Besides tribal elders and religious scholars from Pishin, Public Accounts Committee Chairman Asghar Tareen, lawmakers Syed Zafar Agha and Asfandyar Kakar, Home Additional Chief Secretary Hamza Shafqat, the Pishin division commissioner, the deputy inspector general of police, the district police officer and other relevant officials attended the meeting.

On the other hand, two more men were killed in Jhal Magsi, taking the death toll to four. Their bodies were dumped along a roadside in the Ghathra area. They were identified as Maulvi Sadiq Abro and Liaquat Ali Abro.

According to police, five men were abducted by armed men on Oct 17 while travelling to Khari from Gandawah within the jurisdiction of Kotrah police station.

Following the incident, police personnel and a large number of local residents reached the scene. Police took custody of the bodies and shifted them to the district hospital in Gandawah. After the completion of the necessary legal formalities, the bodies were handed over to families.

Police said further investigation into the incident was underway.

Man gunned down

Separately, a young man was shot dead by armed assailants in the Sanni area of Kachhi district, police said.

According to police, Ghazi Khan, son of Roshan Khan Jatoi and a resident of Dera Murad Jamali, was targeted by armed men in Sanni. The assailants opened fire on him before fleeing the scene.

Police reached the scene after the incident, took custody of the body and shifted it to a hospital.

After completion of the necessary legal formalities, the body was handed over to the deceased’s family. Police said further investigation into the killing was underway.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2026

“The protection of workers is our responsibility. Not giving a call for immediate protest does not mean withdrawal from the political struggle,” the party’s provincial general secretary, Ali Asghar Khan, said in a statement issued here.

He said that while peaceful protest was their right, its timing and nature should be decided under a joint strategy at the national level.

He expressed these views in light of the questions raised at different platforms after the imposition of governor’s rule and emergency in KP.

KP office-bearer says peaceful protest is their right, but its timing and nature should be decided under a joint national strategy

Mr Khan said that important questions and suggestions about the future political course of action emerged during consultations with provincial, regional and district organisations, Insaf Lawyers Forum, members of assembly and workers.

“I consider it necessary to inform the party workers about these matters so that they get clarification about the situation, the decisions made and the reasons behind these decisions,” he said.

The PTI leader said that during the consultation, preference was given to hold protest at an appropriate time and with a proper strategy rather than holding immediate protest.

The objective was to keep workers safe from further arrests and violence, and to protect them and the party from provocations or incidents that could be given a wrong colour and blamed on workers.

He said that in view of the protest in Bara, Khyber tribal district where several PTI workers were wounded due to firing by police, workers and members of assembly who contacted for holding protest, were advised to wait for party orders and avoid showing an immediate reaction.

In that situation, Mr Khan said, it was necessary to avoid unorganised and individual protests until the announcement of a formal programme.

He said that a peaceful and organised struggle at the national level was necessary. He said the PTI objectives were very clear which include release of former prime minister Imran Khan and all political prisoners, end of Governor’s Rule and Emergency, restoration of the elected provincial government, protection of constitutional rights and public mandate, protection of ownership rights and rightful share over natural resources and minerals of KP.

He said the central leadership was in contact with other political parties for joint constitutional and democratic objectives. In the light of this consultation, the provincial organisation was of the opinion that an all-party conference should be called as soon as possible.

In the conference, Mr Khan said, a joint stance and a consensus for political and constitutional line of action would be decided.

During this time, there is a need for legal and parliamentary measures, contacts with political parties, lawyers, professional organisations and civil society, and raising issues of constitutional and human rights on media and relevant international forums.

“The provincial organisation of KP believes that the central leadership should give clear political instructions about the future national line of action by the end of the first week of November 2026, in which priorities of political, legal, parliamentary and public activities should be set,” he said.

Provincial deputy secretary of information Ikram Khattana told Dawn that PTI workers were not armed in the protest rallies, but those stopping the protests had guns and they would have killed the party workers.

“We don’t want PTI workers to be harmed,” he said.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2026

He leaves behind a legacy that will continue to figure in discussions on the country’s civil-military relationship.

His passing was an­­n­ounced by Inter-Serv­ic­­es Public Relat­ions, which said in a note that the Chief of Def­ence Forces and Chief of Army Staff, Field Mar­shal Asim Munir, and all ranks of the Pakistan Army expre­s­sed sorrow over his passing and paid tribute to his “distinguished military career, leadership and invaluable services”.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also conveyed their condolences.

Gen Kakar is best remembered for helping end a serious confrontation between then-president Ghulam Ishaq Khan and then-prime minister Nawaz Sharif in 1993, when the country seemed on the brink of another prolonged political crisis and the government stood paralysed.

His intervention led to the resignations of both the president and the prime minister, the installation of a caretaker government, and fresh elections that brought the late Benazir Bhutto back to power. The whole episode popularly came to be known as the “Kakar Formula”.

That episode is still referen­ced in modern discourse beca­u­se the army under Gen Kakar not only avoided getting invol­ved in the ongoing politics, but also stopped well short of imp­osing martial law or assuming direct governance.

The Kakar Formula instead gave the stakeholders a way out of the political dispute, allowing the political process to continue.

Born on March 23, 1937, in Pesha­war, he belonged to the Ka­­kar tribe, whose roots lie in Balochistan. Gen Kakar studied at Edwardes College in Pesha­w­­ar before joining the army and was commissioned into the Fro­ntier Force Regiment in Octo­ber 1959. He saw combat in both the 1965 war with India, where he served in the Chawinda sector, and the 1971 war, where he served as a brigade major in the Sulemanki sector.

His subsequent career included command and staff appointments, including commanding the 16th Infantry Division and serving as chief of staff of II Corps in Multan. He attended the Command and Staff College in Canada, and later studied at the National Defence College in Rawalpindi.

As adjutant general at Gene­ral Head­quarters (GHQ) from 1987 to 1989, Kakar acquired a reputation for insisting on professional standards and merit.

He was appointed commander of XII Corps in 1989 and positioned in Quetta.

Gen Kakar assumed command of the army on Jan 12, 1993, after his predecessor, Gen Asif Nawaz Janjua, died suddenly just months before the Ishaq-Nawaz dispute blew up.

His appointment by president Ishaq had come as a surprise because several lieutenant generals senior to him were superseded, journalist Mariana Baabar, who had met Gen Kakar at the Armoured Mess shortly after his appointment, told Dawn.

Gen Kakar’s tenure saw Pa­­kistan continue its missile de­­velopment programme, including work that contributed to the Shaheen missile series.

Gen Kakar resisted intense diplomatic pressure from the Clinton administration, which had offered to deliver the blocked F-16s if Pakistan agreed to a verifiable cap on its nuclear programme. He stood firm, refusing to compromise on the country’s strategic deterrent for conventional hardware.

In 1995, the army uncovered a conspiracy, which came to be known as Operation Khilafat, involving serving and retired military officers who were plotting to overthrow the government and assassinate Kakar and then-prime minister Benazir. The plot was foiled before it could be carried out.

Gen Kakar completed his three-year term on Jan 12, 1996, and declined an extension. He later retired from public life and settled in Rawalpindi, staying largely out of the public eye.

Ms Baabar, who met him multiple times, recalled that he never showed an inclination towards any party, neither during his service nor afterwards.

She also described him as moderate on religion, noting that he always advocated keeping professionalism and religion separate.

Gen Kakar received several military honours during his career, including the Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military) and the Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military). However, his place in the country’s history books rests less on the decorations he received and more on the events of 1993 and his decision, three years later, to retire without seeking to prolong his service.

Gen Kakar, who was said to be bedridden for several years before his passing, is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2026

Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir issued the directions in a written order on a petition filed by Dr Raana Ahsan against the federation and others.

The court also directed the interior secretary to convene a coordination meeting of the relevant institutions, citing public concerns over online safety, misuse of digital and broadcast media, and enforcement of laws protecting citizens against online harm.

Reviewing the PTA’s report, the court noted varying compliance rates with requests to block unlawful content. Compliance stood at 40.38 per cent in defamation and impersonation cases, 59.01pc in matters concerning national security and defence, and 98.91pc in cases involving decency and morality.

Platform-wise compliance ranged from 48.42pc on X (formerly Twitter) to 88.68pc on TikTok.

The PTA told the court that social me­­dia companies had not responded affirmatively to requests to meet registration requirements and appoint local compliance and grievance officers. It also cited limited regulatory powers and frequent refusals by platforms to remove content.

The court questioned whether existing statutory powers under the Pakistan Tele­communication (Re-

organisation) Act, 1996, and the Prevention of Elect­ronic Crimes Act, 2016, were being effectively exercised. It called for effective complaint handling.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2026

The case concerns the alleged disruption of an international cricket team’s security route and incitement to public unrest. The couple, accused of removing barriers along the route, was indicted on Oct 7.

The IHC had heard their appeals last week against an Oct 10 ATC order dismissing petitions challenging the framing of charges and the inclusion of terrorism-related provisions. The high court issued notices and said it would decide how to proceed after receiving responses from the parties.

Through senior counsel Faisal Siddiqui, the couple filed separate, nearly identical petitions before the SC, alleging that the trial court had proceeded with unprecedented haste by recording the examination-in-chief of six prosecution witnesses on Oct 10 and 14. They also challenged the decision to shift proceedings to jail, where the trial court had appointed state counsel.

The petitioner questioned the legality of recording evidence without formally dispensing with the accused’s personal attendance or initiating proceedings under Section 540-A of the CrPC. The petitions argued that the ATC orders on Oct 10 and 14 noted that counsel had left the rostrum and the accused had moved away from the video link, yet the court proceeded with recording their evidence on both dates. The couple maintained that their absence, along with that of their counsel, was a protest and had been recorded as such. They argued that this did not constitute a waiver of their right to be present during evidence recording.

The petitions urged the SC to set aside the IHC order, arguing that the ongoing proceedings involved serious violations of due process and fair-trial protections.

IHC hears plea against jail trial

Meanwhile, the IHC heard arguments on a petition filed by the couple challenging their trial at Adiala jail and the appointment of a state counsel.

A division bench comprising Justice Raja Inaam Ameen Minhas and Justice Shahrukh Arjumand heard the case, with advocates Riasat Ali Azad and Zainab Janjua representing the petitioners.

During the proceedings, Advocate Azad said the decision to conduct the trial inside the jail had been challenged because the accused were not heard before the arrangement was approved.

Justice Minhas questioned the legal basis of the challenge, asking who had the authority to determine the trial venue and whether an accused could dictate where proceedings should take place.

Mr Azad described the arrangement as a “jail court”, arguing that access to proceedings was restricted. He said the summary for holding the trial inside the jail had been initiated by an Islamabad superintendent of police and approved by the chief commissioner. However, he maintained that the police officer lacked the authority to initiate the process, which he argued fell within the federal government’s jurisdiction.

After hearing the arguments, the judge said the court would examine the matter. The bench did not announce a decision on the request.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2026

A resolution against India’s atrocities and unlawful acts in the occupied Kashmir was also put off as proceedings were suspended after quorum was pointed out by an opposition lawmaker.

The seven bills passed by the house included the Pakistan Study Centres (Amendment) Bill 2026, the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (Amendment) Bill 2026, the Travel Agencies (Amendment) Bill 2026, the Pakistan Tourist Guide (Amendment) Bill 2026, the Pakistan Hotels and Restaurants (Amendment) Bill 2026, the Motion Pictures (Amendment) Bill 2026 and the National College of Arts Institutes (Amendment) Bill 2026.

As the house was passing the bills, interim PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan rose to speak on a point of order. On this, the speaker asked Barrister Gohar to wait for the passage of the bills.

However, MNA Sohail Sultan pointed out the quorum, compelling the speaker to adjourn the house till 11am today.

Earlier, the lawmakers took offence after a parliamentary secretary responded to a question asked by MNA Syeda Amnah Batool about education. The response sparked a debate as to why to-the-point answers were not shared in the house and why replies were given through parliamentary secretaries, instead of the ministers concerned.

Ms Batool asked whether any national plan existed to align university degrees with the market; what was the number of universities in the country imparting these skills, and whether the government intended to make internship or industry placement mandatory in selected degree programmes.

On this, Parliamentary Secretary Rabia Rahim said the government has made a policy under which the HEC will not verify the degree of any student, who has not completed the required internship.

When MNA Shagufta Jumani asked about Neelum-Jhelum power project’s completion time and cost, a parliamentary secretary tried to answer. But the speaker said he would not allow any irrelevant secretary to respond. “It is the job of the minister or the parliamentary secretary concerned to respond to questions,” he added.

Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, while quoting the rules said parliamentary secretaries enjoyed minister’s status and thus could reply to questions on their behalf. The speaker said if that was the case then ministers have no need to attend NA proceedings.

Law Minister Azam Tarar said it was ideal that answers should be given by ministers, but under the law, parliamentary secretaries were authorised to reply on their behalf.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2026

QUETTA: A resolution seeking the immediate abolition of the Sardari system in Balo­ch­istan and a ban on the use of the titles Sardar and Nawab in writing and speech was dispo­sed of in the provincial assembly on Monday.

The agenda for the session included a resolution moved by Jamaat-i-Islami MPA Hidayatur Rehman Baloch seeking the abolition of the Sardari system in the province.

However, Speaker retired Captain Abdul Khaliq Achakzai informed the house that a review of the available legal and judicial record showed that legislation abolishing the Sardari system had already been passed and implemented in 1976 and applied to the entire country.

He also noted that the Balochistan High Court had issued decisions on the Sardari system, which were upheld by the Federal Constitutional Court on March 6 this year.

In view of the existing legal and judicial position, the speaker disposed of the resolution.

Speaking on a point of objection later, Mr Rehman said the resolution had been included in the agenda and that he would make the necessary corrections before presenting it again.

Heated exchange

An exchange of taunts between Mr Rehman and Opposition Leader Mir Younis Aziz Zehri followed, with treasury members also speaking in support of the opposition leader.

Rising on a point of order, Mr Zehri said the matter could no longer be discussed beca­use the speaker had already disposed of the resolution.

Mr Rehman retorted by asking why the opposition was offended by his remarks. A heated exchange of sarcastic and harsh comments ensued between the two members.

Parliamentary Secretary Agha Umer Ahmedzai said the Sardari system had existed for thousands of years and argued that it was not for an individual to declare the entire system wrong.

“If someone commits oppression or injustice somewhere, it should be pointed out. It is not right to blame all Sardars,” he said.

Parliamentary Secretary Nawabzada Zarain Khan Magsi argued that the matter should not be discussed further as the resolution had been disposed of. “If someone wants to talk about it, he should bring a resolution again in the assembly,” he said.

The speaker said he had disposed of the resolution but added that Mr Rehman’s point should be heard, as the JI MPA was seeking implementation of the legislation enacted to abolish the Sardari system. However, the speaker adjourned the session until Nov 10 due to a lack of quorum.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2026