FRANKFURT: Jurgen Klopp has been named Germany coach, the former Liverpool manager given the task of rebuilding the struggling European giants, the national federation (DFB) announced on Friday.

Klopp’s appointment was widely expected for weeks and his contract will see him through to the 2030 World Cup co-hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, as well as the three centenary matches planned for that year in South America.

The 59-year-old spoke publicly of his desire to take on the role after predecessor Julian Nagelsmann’s resignation earlier in July.

Nagelsmann fell on his sword after a disappointing last-32 defeat at the hands of Paraguay, Germany’s third consecutive early World Cup exit since winning the tournament in 2014.

As the German FA’s preferred candidate, Klopp’s willingness to take the job accelerated Nagels­mann’s departure.

“It’s a great honour for me to be sitting here today,” Klopp told a press conference called by the DFB to announce his appointment in Frankfurt. “This is ideally the high point of my career, of my life, my professional life. I will give it everything I have,” he said.

However he warned the assembled reporters that “if you tomorrow you start saying: ‘He’s crap’, then I’m off”.

DFB President Bernd Neuendorf said Klopp’s contract would start on August 15 and run until summer 2030.

Since 2025, Klopp has been under contract until 2029 with Austrian energy drink maker Red Bull as “Head of Global Soccer”, where he oversaw the football clubs affiliated with the company such as RB Leipzig, Red Bull Salzburg and the New York Red Bulls.

Neuendorf thanked Red Bull for their willingness to end the contract early as Klopp would need his “full concentration” for the new job.

The DFB did not have to pay a fee but will instead make a donation of a million euros ($1.1 million) to Red Bull’s Wings for Life charity foundation, which supports research into spinal cord injuries.

WORLD CUP FAILURE

Having repeatedly said his time in the dugout was over, Klopp returns with the mammoth task of returning the struggling Germans to the top of the international game.

Germany have won four World Cups — the equal most of any Euro­pean team — and three European Championships, one behind record holders Spain, but have struggled in recent years.

The team crashed out of this summer’s World Cup after losing to Para­guay on penalties in the round of 32.

It was the third successive World Cup failure for the Germans since winning their fourth title in 2014.

In a decade since making the semi-finals of Euro 2016, Germany have won just one knockout match across three World Cups and two Euros.

Having also tasted success as manager of Mainz and Borussia Dortmund, Klopp stepped down as Liverpool coach in 2024 after a wildly successful spell, winning all available trophies.

Under Klopp, Liverpool won the Premier League to break a 30-year drought and lifted the Champions League trophy for the sixth time.

The DFB had long courted Klopp and believed he was the perfect candidate to take over from Nagelsmann.

Klopp will work alongside Rudi Voeller, the 1990 World Cup winning striker has been the team’s sporting director since autumn 2023 and whose contract runs for another two years.

The challenges facing Klopp and his staff are numerous.

The new coach will look to build the team round the young talent of Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala, both 23. Joshua Kimmich has worn the captain’s armband since autumn 2024, but will be 33 by the time of Euro 2028.

In goal, Manuel Neuer came out of international retirement for one last stint at the World Cup at the age of 40.

Klopp’s hotly anticipated first squad will come in mid-September for four Nations League matches, the first being against the Netherlands on September 24.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2026

The four-time champion, who could become the first driver to claim 10 pole positions at the same circuit, clocked a best lap time of one minute and 18.729 seconds to beat Leclerc by 0.148 seconds.

World champion Lando Norris, who won at the Hungaroring last year, was third for McLaren, but adrift by half a second, ahead of four-time champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull and George Russell in a Mercedes.

Hamilton has a career record 104 poles and will hope on Saturday to repeat his last qualifying success which was in Hungary in 2023. He is second in the drivers’ championship, 45 points behind Kimi Antonelli.

On a hot, dry day with a gusting wind, Isack Hadjar was sixth in the second Red Bull ahead of Liam Lawson of Racing Bulls, Oscar Pias­tri in the second McLa­ren and Nico Hulkenberg of Audi.

Racing Bulls’ rookie Arvid Lindblad was 10th while Antonelli struggled to 13th in his Mercedes after sitting out opening practice earlier when the team gave his car to their test and reserve driver.

Struggling Aston Mar­tin’s two-time champion Fernando Alonso was 19th in his heavily-updated car but his team-mate Lance Stroll missed the session following a suspension failure in FP1.

The team had introduced virtually new cars carrying 16 upgrades for Stroll and Alonso with an engine upgrade to follow after the summer break.

Franco Colapinto was first to clock a lap time, before Leclerc and then Hamilton took command for Ferrari, the Briton lapping in 1:19.648 as Anto­nelli completed his first lap to go eighth.

His team-mate Russell reported poor balance, complaining that “it feels dreadful, like the car is out of balance” as he went fourth, before Antonelli said he had “almost spun twice — what’s going on?”

With 20 minutes gone, Hamilton had improved to 1:19.585 to lead Leclerc by a tenth with Verstappen third ahead of Russell and Antonelli. The Dutchman reported that he was troubled by his seat.

Norris took to softs after 25 minutes and went top in 1:19.228 followed by Vers­tappen, two-tenths adrift before Colapinto spun and crashed at the final corner to prompt a red flag. The Argentinian was unhurt.

Action resumed after six minutes with Antonelli struggling and running off at the chicane while Lecl­erc and Hamilton regained the initiative in 1:18.877 and 1:18.914, respectively — 0.351 ahead of Norris in third.

Hamilton then improved to go top with 15 minutes remaining as a frustrated Antonelli floundered and locked up at turn two in a cloud of dust.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2026

The 55-year-old Spaniard, regarded as one of football’s greatest managers, held talks over becoming Italy’s head coach, with the country’s football federation (FIGC) president Giovanni Malago suggesting financial flexibility could be shown for a candidate of his stature.

Italy have been searching for a new coach since Gennaro Gattuso stepped down in April after the four-time world champions failed to qualify for a third successive World Cup. FIGC also sounded out Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti before holding discussions with Guardiola, Italian technical director Paolo Maldini said on Thursday.

Guardiola left City at the end of last season after a glittering decade in charge in which he won six Premier League titles, including an unprecedented four in succession, as well as three FA Cups, five League Cups and the Champions League.

Italian football is facing one of its deepest crises in decades, following an early collective exit from European club competitions and last season’s failure to reach the World Cup.

The appointment of a new national team coach is seen as the first step in a wider effort to rebuild a youth development and talent pathway system that has deteriorated significantly.

Former Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo has been linked with the role in Italian media reports, while Roberto Mancini has also been cited as a possible candidate.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2026

Having launched his attack with 12km left, the reigning champion finally caught Richard Carapaz and Lenny Martinez inside the final two kilometres.

“It’s very cool to win up here — it was a crazy atmosphere, all the climbing,” said Pogacar.

“It was thanks to all the team that I could pull it off in the end.

“I was riding for the team-mates today and it was a great victory,” he said.

Several of Pogacar’s UAE Emirates-XRG team-mates have been suffering with illness and Brandon McNulty abandoned the race on Thursday with flu-like symptoms.

Pogacar had made up close to three and a half minutes since the foot of the climb and he wasted little time in leaving the pair in his wake, dropping them with just 800m left.

“We were going full gas all day and then at the beginning, the first kilometre of Alpe d’Huez, I knew that it’s cool, I have good legs and there’s not many guys left that maybe can follow or try to go with me,” said the race leader. “So I tried and then I committed to the top.”

It was a fifth stage victory this year for the 27-year-old Slovenian and a 26th in total since the four-time winner’s Tour debut in 2020.

And, incredibly, it was Pogacar’s first stage victory on Alpe d’Huez — a remarkable statistic for a man who has dominated cycling for the last six years.

Martinez trailed home six seconds beh­ind Pogacar, with Carapaz, who had won the 18th stage the day before, third at 9sec.

Pogacar increased his lead in the overall standings to more than seven minutes to Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel, who finished the stage sixth, two and a half minutes down.

He is now within touching distance of a record-equalling fifth Tour victory.

Evenepoel managed to eke out a few more seconds in his advantage over third-placed Isaac Del Toro, who did likewise to Paul Seixas in fourth.

Del Toro is now at 9min 42sec with Seixas at 10:06, meaning that their battle for the best young rider’s white jersey will head to Saturday’s decisive penultimate stage before Sunday’s procession around Paris.

Martinez did enough to jump two places to fifth overall, just nine seconds ahead of Mattias Skjelmose, who finished the stage in eighth at 2min 45sec.

CARAPAZ TAKES POLKADOT JERSEY

It was another day of frenetic racing at the Tour as a breakaway group containing more than 40 riders went clear within the first few kilometres of the 127.9km stage from Gap.

Valentin Paret-Peintre and Carapaz continued their battle for King of the Mountains polkadot jersey points, with the Frenchman cresting both the Col Bayard and the Col du Noyer first ahead of the Ecuadorian.

But those were the last points the Frenchman would earn and Carapaz did enough to claim the jersey off Pogacar’s shoulders by a single point, with Paret-Peintre seven points off the lead.

Once the leaders hit the Col d’Ornon in the final 35km, the group broke up with only 15 riders left at the top of the climb, and just 10 in the yellow jersey group four minutes down the road.

The leaders still had an advantage of three and a half minutes at the foot of Alpe d’Huez.

Thymen Arensman made the first move with 12.5km left but eventually it was Carapaz, Martinez and American Sepp Kuss who broke clear.

But three minutes further back, Pogacar made his move and immediately distanced his rivals for the overall victory.

The reigning champion had almost cau­ght the leading trio with 3km left but Cara­paz kicked on, while behind, Evenepoel attacked Seixas, Del Toro and Skjelmose.

Pogacar caught Carapaz with 1.8km left, but with Martinez clinging to his wheel.

But another acceleration saw Pogacar drop his two rivals with 800m to ride.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2026

The premier domestic competition will feature 20 regional teams, with eight placed in the Gold division and 12 in the Silver division. Both competitions will carry first-class status.

The latest structure marks another significant departure from the previous season, when only 10 regional teams played first-class cricket in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy while 12 others featured in the non-first-class Hanif Mohammad Trophy.

In 2024-25, the PCB had allowed all 16 regions to field 18 teams in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy, with Karachi and Lahore entering two teams each and the remaining regions one apiece.

Under the new arrangement, Sialkot and Peshawar have also been allowed to field two teams, joining Karachi and Lahore as the only four regions with multiple first-class sides.

The top eight teams from the previous edition will compete in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy Gold, with each playing seven matches before the top two meet in the final. The 12-team Silver division will be split into two groups of six, with the group winners contesting the final. The Silver winner will be promoted to Gold for the 2027-28 season, while the bottom Gold teams will be relegated.

The PCB has also upgraded the previously non-first-class Hanif Mohammad Trophy to first-class status and renamed it Quaid-i-Azam Trophy Silver.

However, the board has once again failed to restore a proper regional National One-day Cup to the calendar, despite the ICC World Cup 2027 being less than 15 months away. Instead, it has opted for a four-team List-A tournament, with the teams to be selected by the PCB, alongside an eight-team National Departmental One-day Cup.

The decision is another indication of the lack of continuity in the domestic structure. The regional National One-day Cup has now been omitted for the third successive season, even though January 2027 has been left without domestic cricket and could have provided an ideal window for the competition.

The PCB has also continued to prioritise school cricket over club cricket. While its Talent Hunt Programme has been expanded from 450 to 1,200 schools across 100 districts, a National Inter-Club Championship has once again been left out.

National inter-club tournaments were held in 2017, 2018, 2024 and 2025, but never consistently, with successive PCB administrations repeatedly changing the domestic system instead of following a long-term policy. Clubs, unlike schools, are officially affiliated with the PCB and pay millions of rupees in registration fees every year.

The National T20 Cup will also be divided into Gold and Silver divisions, while departmental cricket will feature the President’s Cup Grade-I and President’s Trophy Grade-I, Grade-II Gold and Silver competitions.

In a positive development, the PCB has revived the National Under-19 three-day championship after a three-year gap. The 20 regional U-19 teams will also compete in a 50-over tournament, while U-15 and U-17 competitions will continue.

PCB senior general manager domestic cricket ope­ra­tions Osama Sharoon said the new season would provide opportunities across the domestic circuit.

“With all of our 16 regions playing first-class cricket, departmental cricket continuing to be on the rise and red-ball three-day matches arranged for U19 players, we have created opportunities across the domestic circuit,” he said.

The season will run from Aug 11 to June 15.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2026

The 49-year-old former Dutch international succeeds Frenchman Rudi Garcia, who stepped down having guided the ‘Red Devils’ to the World Cup quarter-finals.

“Mark van Bommel has signed a contract that will see him lead Belgium’s national team through UEFA EURO 2028,” read an RBFA statement.

Van Bommel, who was an uncompromising midfielder and key member of the robust Netherlands side that lost to Spain in the 2010 World Cup final, said it was a “great honour” to have been appointed.

“I would like to thank the Royal Belgian Football Association for their confidence in me,” he said. “Belgium has outstanding players and enormous potential.

“Together with my coaching staff, we want to build a team that is disciplined, ambitious and brave enough to compete with the very best.

“Success is never guaranteed, but hard work, honesty and commitment are.”

After hanging up his boots in 2013, Van Bommel has cut his teeth as coach of PSV Eindhoven, Wolfsburg and Antwerp.

Van Bommel has been without a team since departing Belgian top-flight club Antwerp in June 2024, a year after having guided them to a first league title in 66 years.

Belgium, made up of a mix of the last of their ageing ‘golden generation’ and younger talent, improved as the World Cup went on.

They exited after being beaten 2-1 by eventual champions Spain, though they had the consolation of being the only team to breach the Spanish defence.

Local media reported differences of opinion between Garcia and several players, as well as with technical director Vincent Mannaert, who was unhappy with certain group-stage performances.

Garcia’s departure, however, was met with bewilderment by many supporters on social media.

However, according to the media, Belgian football chiefs were keen to hire a younger coach than 62-year-old Garcia.

They achieved that aim with van Bommel.

“I am truly delighted that Mark van Bommel and his assistants have agreed to take on this challenge,” said Mannaert. “They are highly motivated and ambitious, and I am convinced that, with their international experience as both coaches and players, they will be perfectly placed to help our Belgian Red Devils continue to improve, achieve results and reach their full potential, both individually and as a team.”

Van Bommel’s first challenge will be three Nations League matches, beginning with Italy on September 25.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2026

At the January 18 final in Rabat, Senegal won 1-0 thanks to Pape Gueye’s extra-time goal, but the occasion was marred by chaotic scenes at the end of normal time when many Senegal players walked off the pitch in protest at the decision to award Morocco a penalty with the match still goalless.

Some Senegalese supporters also attempted a pitch invasion, and the game was held up for almost 20 minutes before the Senegal players returned.

In March, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) overturned that result, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory, and the title.

“CAS confirms a hearing has been scheduled for the procedure between the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) against the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) concerning the final of the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 (AFCON 2025),” a CAS statement read.

The hearing will take place behind closed doors at CAS headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.

“Registered by CAS on 25 March 2026, the FSF appeal seeks to set aside a CAF decision declaring that the Senegal national team forfeited the AFCON 2025 final and recording the Moroccan national team as the winners of the match by 3-0.

“The appeal requests that CAS declare the FSF winners of AFCON 2025.

“At this stage, CAS cannot state when a final decision will be rendered but it will not be on the day of the hearing,” CAS added.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2026

At the final whistle, Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes clashed with several Spanish players, including defender Eric Garcia and midfielder Gavi, starting the brawl. The teams had to be physically separated, with Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni trying to calm down the players.

FIFA has appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to investigate the incident.

“I find it intolerable and unacceptable from players of that calibre, whom I had been praising in the days before and who have a magnificent coach,” De la Fuente told Spanish public broadcaster TVE on Thursday. “I want to highlight our behaviour in the face of that kind of aggression and provocation. Our players always kept their composure and behaved like true professionals.”

Reuters has contacted the Argentine Football Association for comment on De la Fuente’s comments.

Argentina’s assistant coach Roberto Ayala apologised on Wednesday for his part in the altercation in the aftermath of the final.

De la Fuente, who also led Spain to the European Champio­nship in 2024, said managing the national team in the 2030 World Cup co-hosted by the country will be “the greatest source of pride for any coach.”

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2026

The series will be part of Afghanistan’s build-up for next year’s World Cup to be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Ace spinner Rashid Khan will lead the slow bowling attack but his fellow spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman is out as he is still recovering from injury.

The series starts in Bready with the first two ODIs on August 5 and 7, before moving on to Belfast for the remaining three matches on August 10, 12 and 15.

Fast bowlers Fareed Malik and Bilal Sami were left out from last month’s series against India while veteran allrounder Mohammad Nabi was not available for the series due to playing in a Twenty20 League in Guyana.

Rahmat Shah will lead the team for the first time after replacing Hashmatullah Shahidi.

Squad: Rahmat Shah (captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Nangyal Kharotai, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Yamin Ahmadzai, Saleem Safi, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Zia Ur Rahman.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan maintained their unbeaten run with a straight-set victory over Nepal while Uzbekistan and Bang­ladesh also secured wins on the third day of the Central Asian Volleyball Association (CAVA) Men’s Volleyball Championship at the Liaquat Gymnasium of the Pakistan Sports Complex on Friday.

Pakistan dominated from the outset, using powerful serving, effective blocking, quick attacks and disciplined defence to keep Nepal under pressure throughout the contest. The hosts never allowed their opponents to settle and completed a 3-0 victory with scores of 25-14, 25-18 and 25-10.

Uzbekistan, meanwhile, defeated Sri Lanka 3-1 in a closely contested encounter. Uzbekistan edged the ope­n­ing set 25-23 before Sri Lanka fought back to level the match with a 25-22 win in the second. Uzbekistan regained control through disciplined blocking and powerful attacks to take the next two sets 25-19 and 25-22.

Bangladesh prevailed in the day’s most thrilling contest, overcoming Kazakh­stan 3-2 in a match that lasted more than two hours.

Kazakhstan made a strong start by taking the opening set 25-20, but Bang­l­adesh responded with effe­ctive serving and determined defensive play to win the next two sets 25-21 and 25-23.

Kazakhstan refused to surrender and forced a deciding fifth set after winning the fourth 25-21. Bangladesh, however, held their nerve during the decisive moments to win the final set 15-12 and seal the match 3-2.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2026

The 10-team men’s competition, starting from September 24 in Nagoya, will begin with a preliminary round featuring Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal and Oman competing for the remaining quarter-final berths.

Afghanistan, Japan and Nepal were drawn in Group ‘A’, while Hong Kong, Malaysia and Oman were placed in Group ‘B’. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage to join the four seeded sides.

The women’s tournament, scheduled from September 17-22, features eight teams and will begin at the quarter-final stage. Defending champions India will face hosts Japan, Bangladesh will take on China, Sri Lanka will meet Malaysia, and Pakistan will play Thailand.

All matches in both competitions will be played in the Twenty20 format.

India swept the cricket gold medals at the 2022 Asian Games, held in 2023 in Hangzhou, claiming both the men’s and women’s titles.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2026

With the programme nearly halved to just 10 sports after Glasgow, which also hosted in 2014, stepped in to save the Games after the Australian state of Victoria pulled out, swimming is the highlight of the schedule across the opening weekend.

Scott is hoping to land Scotland’s first gold on home soil in the 200 metre individual medley final on Friday evening but was far from happy after only qualifying fifth fastest.

“It is far from ideal, but it is a championship competition. The time goes out the window,” said Scott, who won Olympic silver in the 200m medley in Paris two years ago and gold in the 4x200m freestyle relay.

“It is so cool, so many saltires (Scottish flags) kicking about. Just trying to soak it all up.”

Ramsay-Peaty is back at the scene of his first international medals at the 2014 Games looking to add to his haul of seven Commonwealth medals in the 50m and 100m breaststroke.

The Englishman was not distracted after a delay to his 100m heat after a lane marker came loose to power through into tonight’s semi-finals.

Australia are red hot favourites to land gold in both the men’s and women’s 100m freestyle in the evening session and cruised into both finals as fastest in the field.

Aussie swimmers dominated in Birmingham four years ago, taking home nearly half of the 52 gold medals on offer and have extra incentive to perform once more in Glasgow.

Mining baron Gina Rinehart, Australia’s richest person, is funding an incentive scheme of 20,000 Australian dollars ($14,000) for every gold medal and 30,000 Australian dollars for breaking a world record.

“These bonuses are a way of Australia saying thank you and showing the appreciation our athletes deserve for bringing our country such a sense of pride and achievement,” billionaire Rinehart said in a statement published by Swimming Western Australia on Friday.

“There is something very uplifting about seeing an Australian athlete stand on the podium while our flag is raised. Such exciting times make Australians proud and deserve to be celebrated.”

Outside the pool, Olympic champion Rhys McClenaghan made a solid start to quest for pommel horse gold with the highest score of the morning’s gymnastics qualifying session.

England are looking to hold off Australia and Scotland to retain gymnastics gold in the men’s team final in the evening session.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2026

The two-match series marks the first Test assignment for Babar since he replaced Shan Masood as captain following Pakistan’s 2-0 series defeat in Bangladesh two months ago. It also comes at a crucial juncture for a Pakistan side that has lost seven consecutive Tests away from home.

The match will also be the first Test at the Brian Lara Stadium, which has previously hosted limited-overs internationals and regional first-class matches.

It becomes the West Indies’ 13th Test venue and the second in Trinidad after the historic Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, where the second Test will be played from Aug 2.

Babar, who has returned to the leadership role after a previous stint as captain, said Pakistan had spent nearly two months preparing for the series, with the team working on fitness, skills and areas that needed improvement.

“We are ready as a team and our preparations have gone well,” Babar said in a media talk on Friday. “The boys have worked very hard.

“We have worked on our fitness and skills and the areas where we were lacking, and we will try to get good results.”

The Pakistan captain said his focus was on getting the best out of his players rather than feeling the pressure of his return to the role.

“I am confident. The main thing for me is to get performances from the players and for Pakistan to win through those performances,” he said. “I learned a lot from my previous experience as captain and will try to improve further and make better decisions for Pakistan.”

Pakistan will be hoping their revamped squad can deliver a strong start after a confidence-boosting warm-up match against a West Indies Select XI this week.

Babar and opener Azan Awais scored centuries, while Mohammad Ali emerged as the most impressive bowler with a five-wicket haul in the first innings.

ABDULLAH OUT INJURED

However, Pakistan suffered a blow on the eve of the first Test when batter Abdullah Fazal was ruled out of both the West Indies series and the subsequent two-Test series in England due to an acute lower-back injury. Abdullah sustained the injury during a training session on Thursday and was ruled out after an MRI scan and clinical assessment.

Babar said Abdullah’s absence was a setback for the team.

“I wish him good luck and hope he recovers quickly and returns soon,” he said. “The kind of player and talent he is, I was quite inspired by him. The way he played the first series, his confidence and morale were high. But these things are in God’s hands.”

The Pakistan captain believes the combination of senior players and promising performers from domestic cricket has given the side a fresh energy.

“We have a good combination of seniors and juniors. There are some very good young domestic performers and senior players as well,” he said. “When you have such a combination, you get a different kind of energy. As a group, we are confident and focused.”

Pakistan’s biggest challenge could come from the conditions. Rain in the days leading up to the match has left the pitch covered and with moisture, making it difficult to predict how the surface will behave.

“The pitch looks very different right now because it has been raining, it is covered and there is moisture,” Babar said. “We cannot say much at the moment. We will make the final decision tomorrow. The conditions here generally help fast bowlers and the weather can be challenging.”

HOME ADVANTAGE

West Indies, meanwhile, enter the series with home advantage and renewed confidence after a dominant 1-0 series victory over Sri Lanka last month. They crushed Sri Lanka by an innings and 217 runs in the opening Test before the second match ended in a draw.

The series victory was Roston Chase’s first as West Indies Test captain, but his availability for Saturday’s opener had been a concern after he missed the recent ODI series against New Zealand with a right index-finger injury.

West Indies head coach Daren Sammy, however, expects Chase to be fit to lead the side.

“Roston is a fighter. I know he’s not going to want to miss any Test cricket,” Sammy said. “I’m pretty sure Dr Byam has a way of keeping guys on the park, so I’m pretty sure Roston will be ready for the first Test.”

The hosts are otherwise reluctant to make major changes to the combination that performed so well against Sri Lanka.

Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican could come into contention if the pitch is expected to favour spin later in the match, while 26-year-old Joshua Bishop has earned his maiden Test call-up after being the most successful bowler across the past three West Indies Championship seasons.

Kirk McKenzie has also been recalled to the 15-member squad after opener John Campbell was ruled out with a left hamstring injury. Fast bowler Alzarri Joseph is unavailable for personal reasons.

West Indies have not lost a home Test series since their 2-0 defeat by Bangladesh in 2022, while their most recent Test series against Pakistan ended 1-1 in Pakistan in January 2025. The teams also drew their two-Test series in the Caribbean in 2021.

The series is also likely to be influenced by the weather, with July and August typically bringing significant rainfall to the southern Caribbean. While Trinidad has experienced hot and sunny conditions in the build-up to the match, rain could remain a factor throughout the series.

For Pakistan, the immediate task is to end their long losing streak away from home. For West Indies, the opportunity is to build on their recent success and strengthen their standing under Chase.

Squads:

PAKISTAN: Babar Azam (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam ul Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Awais Zafar, Mohammad Ghazi Ghouri, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Shan Masood, Ubaid Shah

WEST INDIES: Roston Chase (captain), Jomel Warrican (vice-captain), Joshua Bishop, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Joshua Da Silva, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope, Amir Jangoo, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Kirk McKenzie, Keemo Paul, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2026

The 15-year-old, fast-tracked into international cricket after he dazzled in the Indian Premier League, smashed 50 off 19 balls as India chased down a target of 126 with 40 balls to spare to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Earlier this year, the opener hammered 175 off 80 balls in the Under-19 World Cup final against England at the same Harare Sports Club ground, securing a comprehensive Indian victory.

“I love the vibe here,” the soft-spoken Sooryavanshi told BCCI.tv of the venue, which will host all three matches of the series. “There are certain grounds where you love to score runs, and that’s maybe the case here, but I’m certainly not taking anything for granted.

“I’m just trying to give my best, regardless of venue, and contribute to the team and do well.”

Sooryavanshi became the youngest cricketer to represent India last month, but struggled in the three T20 matches he played in England.

The left-handed batter said his maiden half-century had given him hope that he had turned a corner.

“If you can play this kind of innings at the starting phase of your career, it gives you the confidence to do well in the next match. I felt I was in my zone, and I just backed my strength,” he said.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2026

Afzal delivered Pakistan’s first victory of the Games, outclassing Jovanie Bouzin of Seychelles in a one-sided 65kg bout.

The Pakistani orthodox produced a composed and clinical display to sweep all five judges’ scorecards, securing a unanimous decision and a place in the round-of-16.

Afzal began cautiously in the opening round, picking his shots with sharp, precise punching as the Seychellois fighter sought to impose himself with aggressive forward pressure.

Despite a balanced exchange of blows, four of the five ringside officials awarded the round to the Pakistani pugilist for his superior accuracy and cleaner connecting punches.

The 65kg fighter stepped up the tempo in the second session, closing the distance and pinning Bouzin against the ropes.

Bouzin briefly troubled his opponent with a straight right hand, but Afzal absorbed the shot without retreat, maintaining his composure in the clinches and landing the more telling blows. All five judges scored the round in favour of the Pakistani.

Trailing by two rounds, Bouzin came out swinging wildly in the third and final period. Afzal, however, showcased deft head movement to evade the danger, growing in confidence as the contest wore on.

He punctuated his dominance with a crisp left hook to Bouzin’s chin, forcing the referee to administer a standing count for a knockdown.

Pakistan’s boxing success continued in the women’s 50kg category, where Fatima produced a dominant display against Realeboha Segoete of Lesotho to cruise into the quarter-finals.

The 22-year-old Pakistani kno­cked her opponent down three times across two rounds before the referee intervened to halt the contest.

Fatima scored her first knockdown in the opening round, controlling the ring throughout, though she could not land the finishing blow.

She nevertheless took the round on all five judges’ scorecards. The second round proved decisive as Fatima struck early with another knockdown and then added a third at the 2:35 mark, forcing the referee to step in and hand the Pakistani a emphatic triumph.

Elsewhere in the Games, Pakist­an’s swimmers failed to make an impact.

Jehanara Nabi won her heat of the women’s 50m butterfly in 29.99 seconds — well off the 27.56 that secured the final qualification spot — but her time left her 40th overall among 52 swimmers, well outside the top-16 cut for the semi-finals.

The men’s 200m individual medley saw Ahmad Durrani finish 17th overall among 22 entrants with a time of 2:09.79 in the heats, falling well short of the top-eight qualification mark for the final.

In lawn bowls, Ayub Qureshi suffered a defeat in his men’s singles opener, going down 2-0 to Ross Owen of Wales. Owen dominated the two ends, taking the first 12-5 and completing a whitewash with a crushing 17-0 victory in the second.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2026

KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) came under extreme selling pressure on Friday, pushing the benchmark KSE-100 index below 170,000 points during intraday trading. However, value-hunting helped the index trim some of its early losses, but it remained in the red for the third consecutive session.

Topline Securities Ltd said the index traded largely in negative territory throughout the session, primarily due to a sharp rise in crude oil prices, which surged to around $100 per barrel.

During intraday trading, the index fell 2,226.57 points to 169,512.88. However, in the latter half of the session, investor sentiment improved after crude oil prices pulled back, leading to a partial recovery of 979 points to 172,718.67. Consequently, the index settled at 171,021.20 points, down 718.25 points or 0.42 per cent for the day.

Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Ltd, said the PSX recorded a mixed session, with the market opening on a weak note as persistent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continued to weigh on investor sentiment. Concerns over the ongoing conflict kept international oil prices and global borrowing costs elevated, prompting investors to maintain a cautious, risk-off stance.

On the macro front, the Sensitive Price Index (SPI) for the week ended July 23 increased 9.66pc year-on-year and 0.91pc week-on-week.

On the index contribution front, Adamjee Insurance, TRG Pakistan, Meezan Bank, Engro Holdings, and Fauji Cement collectively added 117 points to the benchmark index. Conversely, United Bank, National Bank, Systems Ltd, Habib Bank, and Fauji Fertiliser collectively erased 436 points amid selective selling pressure.

Investor participation improved over the previous session, with trading volume rising 10.43pc to 579.9 million shares and turnover value inching up 1.99pc to Rs23.8 billion. Cnergyico PK topped the volume chart with 59.3 million shares traded.

Analysts expect that the market will continue to be influenced primarily by geo­­­­­­political developments and their effects on international oil prices. Altho­u­gh volatility may persist in the short term, attractive valuations could still motivate selective buying if external risks start to diminish.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2026

Brent dropped to $95.61 a barrel having surged above $100 on Thursday.

The main US contract, West Texas Intermediate, shed 4.1pc to $88.40 a barrel on Friday.

“Having advanced all week, oil prices finally ran into some profit-taking,” noted Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at trading platform IG.

Crude futures had soared on Thursday after Yemen’s Houthi rebels struck oil tankers in the Red Sea, potentially opening a new front in the US-Iran conflict.

Despite the US launching fresh strikes on Friday on Iran, there was relief on markets that some ships were still able to pass through the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a crucial passage into the Red Sea.

A Houthi spokesman said on Friday that the rebels were not blocking traffic through the strait, after they declared a maritime embargo this week on their foe Saudi Arabia.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2026

The spike in short-term inflation was mainly driven by a steady increase in petroleum prices on a daily basis, pushing transportation costs substantially in the week.

The index increased by 0.91pc compared to the previous week, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.

The overall SPI showed a broad-based rise, indicating continued pressure on the cost of living. The increase was largely driven by sharp gains in key items on a year-on-year basis, including electricity charges (22.79pc), wheat flour (74.13pc), and liquefied petroleum gas (46.87pc).

Costly food, energy drive 9.66pc annual increase

Food inflation remained elevated, with notable increases in the prices of onions, tomatoes, potatoes, mutton, beef and wheat flour.

Energy-related costs continued to weigh on household budgets and push up transport expenses across the economy.

The SPI has now recorded an increase for the 67th consecutive week. Although the pace of growth has slowed, it reflects sustained pressure on consumers.

The items, whose prices increased the most over the previous week included tomatoes (39.92pc), diesel (15.87pc), eggs (7.31pc), petrol (5.23pc), potatoes (3.70pc), LPG (0.91pc), cooked daal (0.72pc), tea Lipton (0.59pc), mustard oil (0.45pc), garlic (0.41pc), cooked beef (0.36pc) and washing soap (0.21pc).

The items whose prices saw a decline week-on-week included chicken (4.66pc), bananas (1.72pc), pulse moong (1.08pc), pulse mash (1.07pc), rice Irri-6/9 (0.52pc), pulse masoor (0.40pc), sugar (0.09pc) and pulse gram (0.03pc).

However, on an annual basis, the items whose prices increased the most were tomatoes (253.04pc), onions (81.55pc), wheat flour (74.13pc), LPG (46.87pc), diesel (31.92pc), electricity charges for Q1 (22.79pc), petrol (20.32pc), mutton (16.02pc), chilli powder (15.20pc), beef (13.09pc), bananas (12.06pc) and bread plain (9.69pc).

In contrast, the prices of potatoes dropped 33.69pc, followed by pulse gram (21.48pc), sugar (17.67pc), salt powder (14.09pc), chicken (13.73pc), pulse masoor (13.55pc), eggs (9.59pc) and pulse moong (8.67pc).

The index, comprising 51 items collected from 50 markets in 17 cities, is computed weekly to assess the prices of essential commodities and services at shorter intervals.

Data showed that the prices of 22 items increased, eight decreased, and 21 remained stable compared to the previous week.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2026

While strongly opposing any such move, Cereal Association of Pakistan (CAP) Chairman Muzzamil Chappal warned that state-led imports could lead to billions of rupees in losses and undermine the country’s wheat deregulation policy.

Urging the government to allow the private sector to import two million tonnes of wheat in the first phase and a further two million tonnes in the second phase without subsidies, he said that market-based imports are more efficient and do not place any burden on the national exchequer.

The government should refrain from intervening in the wheat market and uphold its decision, announced two years ago, to fully deregulate wheat imports, he said, adding that the private sector has already demonstrated its ability to ensure uninterrupted wheat supplies without government support.

CAP seeks approval for 4m tonnes without subsidy

The private sector imported 2.7m tonnes of wheat in FY24 without any subsidies or public financing, helping maintain adequate wheat and flour supplies across the country, he recalled, claiming that the imports had significantly reduced domestic wheat prices to Rs95 per kg from Rs123.

This is an appropriate time for wheat import as the Black Sea and South America Harvest Season commences during July to August, offering highly competitive prices, he said.

Pakistan is currently holding around 450,000 tonnes of two-year-old wheat, while stocks held by the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (Passco) are reportedly deteriorating in warehouses, he claimed, urging the government not to repeat past mistakes by returning to state-controlled wheat imports.

Wholesale wheat prices in Karachi are currently hovering around Rs116-120 per kg, and could rise to Rs125 per kg if imports are delayed. However, allowing the private sector to import wheat in line with international market trends could bring prices down to Rs95-100 per kg, he said.

Pakistani consumers had witnessed a steep rise in flour prices despite the arrival of local crops in March-April.

Sindh Food Minister Ma­­khdoom Mehboob uz Zam­an on Friday chaired a high-level meeting with a delegation of the Flour Mills Association to review the prevailing wheat and flour situation, market prices, supply chain, and measures to ensure the uninterrupted availability of affordable flour across Sindh.

While directing flour millers to maintain flour prices at the lowest possible level and continue ensuring uninterrupted supplies, he said the provincial government has intensified verified and intelligence-based operations against wheat hoarders, illegal profiteers and unauthorised traders.

According to a press release, he said the Food Department currently possesses 446,947 tonnes of wheat stocks, comprising 140,000 tonnes of carryover stock, 81,812 tonnes procured this season and 225,135 tonnes recovered during anti-hoarding operations.

There is no restriction on the inter-district movement of wheat within Sindh, allowing uninterrupted transportation and smooth supply across the province, he said.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2026

FTO Zafar Hijazi on Friday warned that the defect is adversely affecting exporters and undermining the automated refund mechanism. The ombudsman issued the order on complaints filed by Karachi-based exporter M/s Quality Towellers.

Mr Hijazi observed that the FASTER system cannot distinguish between commercial export Goods Declarations (GDs) and non-commercial sample export GDs. As a result, the system incorrectly raises the objection ‘GD Not Realised’ and diverts the taxpayer’s entire carry-forward refund claim to manual processing, rather than deferring only the proportionate amount as required under Sales Tax General Order No. 09 of 2023 and the Sales Tax Act 1990.

The ombudsman noted that exporters sending product samples through courier services are particularly affected because such consignments do not require realisation of export proceeds and are not eligible for sales tax refunds. However, these declarations are automatically populated in the IRIS sales tax return and cannot effectively be removed, creating unnecessary objections during refund processing.

During the proceedings, Pakistan Revenue Auto­m­ation Ltd (PRAL) informed the FTO that it only rec­e­i­ves export GD data from Pakistan Customs through an automated interface and has no legal or technical authority to alter or correct the information.

The FTO termed the issue a ‘systemic and hazardous loophole’ posing a threat to the export sector and directed FBR’s Inland Revenue and Customs Wings to jointly resolve the matter.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2026

In a notification issued by the Ministry of Finance, the mark-up rate for 2025-26 was fixed at 11.89 per cent against 17.74pc in 2024-25 and 17.84pc in 2023-24, which had gone up substantially (more than 73pc) when compared to 10.30pc in 2020-21.

The drop in mark-up chargeable on development loans and advances was because of a decline in the central bank’s policy rate, which had declined from a peak of 22pc to 11.5pc.

These mark-up rates are charged by the federal government on cash development loans (CDLs) to the provincial governments, AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan, besides loans extended to local bodies, public sector entities (PSEs), corporations, autonomous bodies, financial and non-financial institutions and capital outlays of the federal government in the commercial departments.

Interest rate slashed 5.85 percentage points for FY26 from 17.74pc in FY25, but remains 15.4pc above 2020-21 level

“In case of loans and advances for purchase of conveyance and house building, the final rate of mark-up i.e. 11.89pc per annum, has been fixed for 2025-26”, the MOF notification added.

Since 2016-17, the mark-up charged by the federal government to provinces and other entities has surged by almost 175pc, when it stood at 6.54pc and has become a major source of the federal government’s revenue. In 2025-26, the government charged about Rs164bn mark-up on development loans and cash advances to various government entities, including provincial governments, at the rate of 17.74pc.

In 2024-25, the federal government charged a total of Rs245bn through 17.84pc interest from provinces (Rs95.45bn) and SOEs and others (Rs155bn).

The federal government generally contracts development loans from international lenders mostly at around 2pc and extends them onward as cash development loans to the provinces and other institutions at significantly higher mark-up.

The federal government advances loans to provinces, government of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, public sector enterprises, local bodies and others to assist them in carrying out their development programmes and social initiatives. These loans and advances are of two types, namely, cash development loans and foreign re-lent loans.

The cash loans are advanced by the federal government out of its own resources, whereas all others are mostly foreign re-lent loans. Markup accrued on the loans granted to provincial governments, local bodies, financial institutions, non-financial institutions, commercial departments and government servants is one of the key sources of the federal government’s revenue stream. The mark-up is chargeable in accordance with the terms and conditions of each loan agreement but is revised every year on the basis of the government’s own debt servicing cost on government papers like investment bonds and treasury bills.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2026

The measures, announced by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on Thursday, took effect on Friday, the same day temporary Section 122 tariffs introduced earlier expired.

Pakistan has been placed in the lower 10 per cent tariff category, alongside countries that have either adopted forced labour import prohibitions, committed to doing so under reciprocal trade arrangements, or have partial enforcement regimes. India and Bangladesh have also been assigned the 10pc rate.

Other countries in the same category include Canada, Mexico, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Jordan, the United Kingdom, Argentina and several Latin American nations.

Despite Aurangzeb’s efforts in US, Pakistan remains in 10pc category

A higher 12.5pc tariff will apply to imports from most of the remaining economies investigated by the US. For products from the European Union, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Switzerland, the additional duties will be calibrated so that the combined Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) tariff and the new Section 301 tariff do not exceed either 10pc or 12.5pc, depending on the country.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the action was taken at the direction of President Donald Trump after “investigations concluded that the 60 economies had failed to adequately prohibit imports made with forced labour.”

President Trump “recognises that decades of moral suasion have not eradicated forced labour from global supply chains,” Ambassador Greer said, arguing that the measures were intended to address both human rights concerns and unfair trade practices.

The investigations were launched in March under Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974 and included public hearings, consultations with more than 45 governments and thousands of public comments before the final decision.

The US has also announced a broad range of product exemptions, including certain agricultural commodities, products already covered by Section 232 tariffs such as steel and aluminium, critical raw materials, and selected country-specific products where exemptions are intended to encourage stronger enforcement of forced labour restrictions.

For Pakistan, the announcement comes despite int­e­­nsive diplomatic engagement in Washington this week.

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb spent three days in the US capital holding talks with senior American officials on trade, tariffs, investment and economic cooperation. Diplomatic sources said the newly announced tariffs could not be avoided because they apply to a broad group of countries rather than targeting Pakistan alone.

Pakistani and US officials are expected to resume negotiations soon on a broader bilateral economic partnership aimed at expanding trade and investment.

During his visit, Mr Aurangzeb held meetings with officials from the Office of the Trade Representative, the US Export-Import Bank, the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and the International Monetary Fund.

The discussions focused on a possible bilateral trade agreement covering tariffs, market access, investment opportunities and wider economic cooperation. Separate talks with the Exim Bank and the DFC explored financing for infrastructure, energy and private-sector investment projects in Pakistan.

The latest negotiations build on months of discussions that began after President Trump’s announcement of a new global tariff policy in April 2025.

Although Pakistan, India and Bangladesh have all received the lower 10pc tariff instead of the higher 12.5pc rate initially considered for many countries, exporters from all three South Asian economies will nevertheless face additional costs when shipping goods to the US under the new Section 301 measures.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2026

The sweeping security operation, conducted under an indefinite curfew, was launched in retaliation for a shooting three days ago on a Karachi-bound coach coming from Quetta that claimed three lives and injured five others.

Officials said the operation continues in the sub-tehsil, with reports indicating that many armed men were also injured in the gunbattles.

During the operation the previous day, officials claimed the killing of six terrorists and the recovery of a huge quantity of arms and ammunition.

Security forces also claimed the arrest of female suicide bombers and several other suspects whom officials considered to be working as facilitators for the attackers. Authorities seized multiple motorcycles used by the armed men.

‘Political solution’

As the clearance operation and curfew continue in Khud Kocha, provincial leadership emphasised the need for a political resolution to the ongoing crisis. Balochistan Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langove reiterated the provincial government’s commitment to dialogue.

Speaking to political and tribal leaders on Friday, Langove said the government has never refused negotiations and believes lasting solutions to political and social issues can only be achieved through democratic and parliamentary processes.

“Differences of opinion on matters of national interest should be viewed as part of a healthy political process rather than as acts against the state,” Mr Langove said.

He said that parliament remains the most effective platform for political parties to present their views, concerns and demands.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2026

Speaking to reporters outside the court on Thursday, accompanied by former senator Nawabzada Haji Lashkari Raisani, senior lawyer Riaz Ahmed and others, Mr Raisani said the government’s decision had stripped Kalat of its historical and administrative identity without consulting the public, tribal leaders or elected representatives.

He said members of parliament were also affected by the decision, but their silence was “deeply concerning”.

Mr Raisani maintained that Balo-chi­stan’s problems could not be resol-ved merely by replacing the chief minister, stressing that the province required a political solution and a new social contract to address its long-standing challenges.

“The government cannot make decisions on administrative restructuring, land allocation or land purchases without taking tribes and public representatives into confidence,” he said, accusing the provincial administration of imposing unilateral decisions while claiming to uphold democratic values. “The government calls itself democratic, but its decisions reflect a dictatorial mindset.”

Mr Raisani said efforts had been made during his tenure as chief minis-ter from 2008 to 2013 to address enfor-ced disappearances and other issues facing Balochistan.

Asked about reports of a possible change in the provincial leadership, Mr Raisani said he did not support replacing the chief minister but believed the focus should instead be on improving the system of governance. He remarked that under the current circumstances, “no one is willing to become chief minister”.

Speaking on the occasion, lawyer Riaz Ahmed said the government had failed to consult the people of Mastung and Kalat before issuing the notification. He argued that the decision had adversely affected the rights of local residents and should therefore be reviewed by the court.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2026

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday reserved its order on the maintainability of petitions seeking the suspension of the sentences awarded to lawyers and rights activists Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her spouse, Hadi Ali Chattha, in the controversial tweets case, after the prosecution argued that the petitions had been filed prematurely.

On Jan 24, the rights lawyers were sentenced by an Islamabad sessions court to a total of 17 years in prison on multiple charges under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca).

Following their convictions, which were widely condemned by lawyers and United Nations (UN) experts, the couple challenged the trial court’s judgement before the IHC on Feb 7.

Justice Muhammad Azam Khan heard the petitions filed by the two convicts against the trial court’s judgement.

At the outset of the hearing, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), through its counsel, raised a preliminary objection to the maintainability of the petitions seeking suspension of the sentences.

The prosecution contended that the petitions were premature and urged the court to first decide its separate application challenging their maintainability.

The NCCIA’s counsel argued that if the suspension of sentence petitions were heard before the court ruled on the agency’s objection, the prosecution’s application would become ineffective.

Representing Ms Mazari and Mr Chattha, Advocate Faisal Siddiqui submitted that he was prepared to argue the prosecution’s objection immediately.

He stated that if the prosecution maintained that the suspension of sentence petitions were not maintainable, both matters should be heard together.

Justice Khan, however, advised the defence counsel to prepare his arguments, observing that doing so would be in the best interest of his clients’ rights.

“You should prepare first. It is good for your rights,” the judge remarked.

Advocate Siddiqui responded that he was waiving that right and was ready to proceed with arguments.

“I waive my rights. I am ready to present my arguments,” he told the court.

After hearing both sides, Justice Khan observed that the court would first decide the prosecution’s objection regarding the maintainability of the suspension of sentence petitions before considering the merits of the requests for suspension of the sentences.

The court subsequently reser-ved its order on the prosecu-tion’s application.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2026

According to the Met office, the low-pressure area is causing monsoon currents to penetrate southern and central Pakistan, bringing widespread rainfall to Sindh, Punjab, federal capital, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan.

The Provincial Disaster Manage­m­ent Authority (PDMA) also issu­­ed an alert warning of heavy downpours, possible urban flooding in ma­­jor cities, flash floods in rivers and hill torrents, and rising water levels in rivers and seasonal streams in Punjab.

The PDMA director general said deputy commissioners and all emergency response departments had been placed on alert. He directed the health, irrigation, communication and works, local government, and livestock departments to complete preparations for any emergency, warning that heavy rainfall could trigger urban flooding in major cities and flash floods in rivers and seasonal drains.

The warning came as Punjab continued to recover from record monsoon rains over the past four days that inundated cities, claimed lives and pushed several rivers and drains above normal levels. It stated that windstorms and lightning may damage weak structures, including solar panels, electric poles and billboards, during the forecast period.

Imran Gabol in Lahore also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2026

“Pakistan has played a constructive diplomatic role in facilitating negotiations and advancing efforts towards regional peace and stability,” Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam said while delivering the keynote address at a roundtable discussion, organised by the Centre for International Strategic Studies.

“Strengthening our bilateral cooperation is essential for addressing contemporary security challenges in West Asia,” he said.

The discussion, titled Pakistan-Iran Relations and Strategic Stab­i­lity in West Asia, brought together diplomats, academics, defence analysts and researchers to examine the future trajectory of Pakistan-Iran relations against the backdrop of an increasingly volatile regional security environment.

Opening the discussion, CISS Exec­utive Director Amb Ali Sarwar Naqvi said the recent escalation had generated fresh uncertainties for regional peace, maritime security and global energy markets, making sustained dialogue and regional engagement more important than ever.

Former ambassador Masood Khan said Pakistan’s consistent advocacy of peaceful dispute resolution and its ability to maintain constructive relations with regional and international stakeholders had strengthened its credibility as a facilitator of dialogue, confidence-building measures and de-escalation.

Director General of the Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad, Amb Moinul Haque said the resilience and national unity displayed by the Iranian people during the recent conflict had played an important role in enabling the country to confront the challenges arising from the crisis.

Dr Nazish Mahmood of Quaid-i-Azam University said greater cooperation between Pakistan and Iran in border security, trade, energy and regional connectivity could contribute meaningfully to long-term regional stability.

Discussing the maritime dimension of the crisis, retired Rear Admiral Faisal Shah highlighted the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz as one of the world’s principal energy chokepoints and cautioned that prolonged instability there could carry far-reaching consequences for international trade, energy security and maritime stability.

Dr Bilal Zubair, director of research at CISS, said the recent conflict had brought Pakistan and Iran closer than ever before, with their shared border, economic interdependence and common concerns over regional instability reinforcing bilateral cooperation and reshaping the relationship across political, economic and strategic domains.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2026

In a condolence message, the CJP said the judiciary of Pakistan stands un­­ited in mourning this irreparable loss.

As a mark of respect and in solidarity with the bereaved families and the district judiciary of Balochistan, the Judicial Well-being Conference scheduled for July 25 was also postponed.

“We extend our deepest sympathies to the bereaved families of Sessions Judge Abdul Hakeem Kakar and his devoted security official, who laid down their lives in the line of duty,” the CJP said in the condolence message and prayed to Allah Almighty to grant the departed souls eternal peace, elevate their ranks in Jannat-ul-Firdous, and bless their families with patience and fortitude.

CJP says judiciary stands united in mourning ‘this irreparable loss’

Meanwhile, vice chairman of Pak­istan Bar Council (PBC) Pir Muham­mad Masood Chishti and PBC Exe­c­utive Committee Chairman Munir Ahmed Malik condemned the terrorist attack in Mastung, in which Ses­sions Judge Abdul Hakeem Kakar and his bodyguard embraced martyrdom, while Additional Sessions Judge Tariq Lashari sustained critical injuries.

Expressing their grief and sorrow over this inhumane and heinous act of terrorism, targeting members of the judiciary, they stated that such barbaric acts are entirely against the traditions and values of the people of Balochistan.

They expressed concern over the growing wave of terrorism and targeted killings in Balochistan.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2026

• Says interim Afghan govt has failed to prevent its territory from being used for attacks against Pakistan
• Announces Rs300bn Karachi-Chaman dual carriageway, expansion of education, infrastructure and solar projects in Balochistan
• Inaugurates Sky47 AI Cloud facility in federal capital

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Sheh­­baz Sharif on Friday again urg­ed Afghanistan to take action agai­nst terrorist organisations and ensu­­re that Afghan soil was not used for terrorist activities against Pakistan.

“Pakistan shares over 2,600-kilometre border with its neighbour and has repeatedly urged the Afghan authorities to act against terrorist organisations and prevent Afghan territory from being used against Pakistan. However, the Afghan interim government has failed to take effective action against these groups,” the prime minister said while addressing the National Workshop on Balochistan.

The prime minister reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to providing all possible resources for the development and prosperity of Balochistan, saying Pakistan could only progress when all provinces advanced equally.

He announced that the Rs300 billion dual carriageway project from Karachi to Chaman would be completed within two years.

Punjab, he said, had contributed Rs150bn to Balochistan under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award. He added that other provinces had to play their full role in supporting the Balochistan’s development.

The premier said Balochistan had been granted an additional 10 per cent quota in the distribution of laptops and scholarships, and that the Kachhi Canal Project would be completed on a fast-track basis.

He praised Balochistan’s contributions to Pakistan’s development and prosperity, saying its leadership had always placed the national interest above personal or political considerations and had wholeheartedly supported the federation.

He noted that farmers in Baloch­istan had suffered prolonged power outages for years. To address this issue, around 27,000 agricultural tube wells were being converted to solar energy under a Rs75bn project, to which the federal government had contributed Rs50bn.

He expressed deep sorrow over the martyrdom of Mastung Judge Abdul Hakeem Kakar and a security official, praying for the elevation of their ranks and for patience for their families.

The prime minister alleged that India was financing terrorism inside Pakistan.

He added that although terrorism had largely been eliminated by 2017-18, it later resurfaced through what he described as a highly organised conspiracy.

AI cloud centre inaugurated

Later, PM Shehbaz described the newly inaugurated AI and cloud computing facility as a landmark achievement for Pakistan, reflecting the country’s growing technological capabilities.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the country’s first-ever Sky47 AI Cloud centre, the prime minister praised the engineers, experts and institutions involved in the project and said the successful execution of the facility showcased the extraordinary talent available in both Pakistan’s military and civilian sectors.

Paying tribute to Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir’s leadership, he said the project stood as a testament to what could be achieved when state institutions worked together with a shared national purpose.

The prime minister also acknowledged the contributions of Field Marshal Munir, the Ministry of Information Technology, the IT secretary and strategic technology partner ZTE for their roles in delivering the project.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Field Marshal Munir, federal ministers Shaza Fatima Khawaja and Attaullah Tarar, as well as senior government officials.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2026

• No breakthrough in talks between protesting youth and authorities
• Metro stations stay shut, mobile phone and internet blackout extended

NEW DELHI: Leaders of India’s youth-led “cockroach” movement said on Friday that the government has sought time until Saturday afternoon to respond on their demand for the education minister’s resignation over exam paper leaks, following talks between the two sides.

The talks came hours after activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike, raising hopes that the two sides could reach a breakthrough after tens of thousands of angry youth converged in the capital Delhi this week to demand the minister’s resignation.

The anti-government protests represent the biggest youth challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi since he came to power in 2014. Opposition parties have echoed the movement’s demands and have disrupted the monsoon session of parliament that began this week.

Fridays talks were held between senior federal ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh on one side, and Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, spokespersons for the self-named Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) youth movement, on the other.

The CJP leaders said they had conveyed that nothing would be acceptable to them without Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, and warned that without this, protests would spread.

“The government has asked for time until tomorrow afternoon to res­pond on this point (the resignation),” Ranka told reporters. “We hope the government will dismiss Dharm­endra Pradhan at the earliest, or that he will resign, so that we can bring this matter to a conclusion.” Minister Nadda said the talks were cordial.

“They had three main demands. We have told them we will meet you tomorrow afternoon and discuss the demands,” he said.

Scattered protests across country

Besides the resignation of Pradhan, the CJP wants police cases filed against protesters dropped, and compensation paid to families of more than a dozen students who took their own lives after the exam paper leak in May.

Although the protesters agreed to hold talks, they had also called for nationwide demonstrations on Friday over police brutality against protesters who marched on parliament on Monday.

While thousands of protesters continued to gather at the main protest site of Jantar Mantar in central Delhi, there were reports of scattered protests across the country. Students, youth activists and opposition supporters staged protests in the states of West Bengal, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Parliament was disrupted and suspended again on Friday as opposition lawmakers also demanded Pradhan’s resignation, with no business conducted for the entire week.

The protests by CJP began as an online satire and involved only a few hundred young people when they were first launched. But they grew to pull in millions of online followers when a national medical school entrance test was cancelled in May because the question paper was leaked earlier, affecting about two million students.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corp shut down 17 stations in and around central Delhi on Friday, the third time this week it resorted to such a large-scale closure of the system which is the lifeline of the capital. The government also extended a mobile internet shutdown in the area.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2026