ISLAMABAD: The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) on Friday ruled that a registered medical practitioner (doctor) may prescribe and dispense medicine to his own patient within the scope of Section 31(4)(a) of the Pharmacy Act 1967, but cannot maintain a medical store or retail drug outlet without a licence under the Drugs Act 1976.

The FCC issued the ruling while setting aside a June 5, 2023 order of the Peshawar High Court’s D.I. Khan bench, which had restrained regulatory action against registered medical practitioners allegedly running medical stores and dispensaries. The FCC ruled that registration as a doctor does not exempt them from the licensing requirements of the Drugs Act.

A two-judge FCC bench, headed by FCC Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan and comprising Justice Ali Baqar Najafi, issued the verdict while taking up an appeal moved by the secretary of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa health department.

The controversy arose when resp­on­dents, including Dr Muhammad Rizwan Rajpoot, who were registered medical practitioners, were found maintaining dispensaries/medical stores within their respective clinical establishments and allegedly stocking and vending pharmaceutical drugs without possessing the requisite drug sale licences.

This culminated in an inspection conducted on Jan 21, 2020, during which the drugs were taken into custody through Form-6 and consequential show-cause notices were issued. The respondents invoked the constitutional jurisdiction of the PHC, challenging the legality of the regulatory action. Their writ petition was allowed by the high court through its impugned judgement of June 5, 2023.

While setting aside the PHC order, Chief Justice Aminuddin observed that registration with the medical regulatory body and registration under the Pharmacy Act perform different juridical functions. Holding them otherwise would amount to judicially engrafting upon the licensing regime, an exemption which the rule-making authority itself had not ena­cted, said the nine-page judgement authored by the FCC chief justice.

During the hearing, the FCC framed three core questions: whether the drug inspector had lawful authority to inspect and take action under the Drugs Act; whether registration as medical practitioners, coupled with Section 31(4)(a) of the Pharmacy Act 1967, gave them an unfettered right to stock and sell drugs without a licence; and whether the high court was justified in intervening at the show-cause stage.

On the first question, the court held that Sections 17 and 18 of the Drugs Act empower inspectors to inspect premises, take samples, and search and seize drugs. Section 19 prescribes the procedure, including issuance of a receipt in Form-6. The FCC noted that no case had been established that the inspector concerned lacked appointment, territorial competence or authorisation.

Drawing a distinction between the Pharmacy Act and the Drugs Act, the judgement observed that Section 31(4)(a) of the Pharmacy Act merely creates an exception allowing a registered medical practitioner to dispense medicine to his own patients or serve his own prescriptions. It does not authorise him to establish or maintain a medical store or retail drug outlet without a licence under the Drugs Act.

“The legal effect of an exception cannot be enlarged beyond the prohibition from which it operates,” the judgement explained, adding that Section 23(1)(c) of the Drugs Act clearly provides that no person shall sell any drug except under a licence, and the expression “no person” admits of no occupational exception for registered doctors.

The FCC emphasised that the Pharmacy Act was primarily concerned with regulation of the profession and practice of pharmacy, constitution of pharmacy councils and registration of pharmacists. Section 31(1) prohibits practice as a pharmacist by an unregistered person.

Subsection (4)(a), upon which the respondents rested their entire claim, merely carves out an exception from that prohibition in favour of a registered medical practitioner who dispenses medicine to his own patients or serves his own prescriptions.

Whereas the objective of the Drugs Act was to regulate the import, export, manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of drugs, Section 23(1)(c) employs language of unmistakable amplitude by providing that no person shall sell any drug except under, and in accordance with, the conditions of a licence issued under the Act.

The expression “no person” admits of no occupational exception merely on account of the seller being a registered medical practitioner.

The judgement pointed to the specialised mechanism under the Drugs Act, including the Provincial Quality Control Board and the Drug Court, which should examine technical and factual questions before judicial review. It clarified that Section 11 of the Drugs Act is not a conventional appellate remedy but part of the statutory machinery.

The FCC also disapproved the argument that Article 18 of the Constitution protects the respondents from licensing requirements, stating that the right to enter a profession or trade was expressly subject to qualifications prescribed by law, and regulation through a licensing system was constitutionally permissible, especially for pharmaceuticals linked to public health.

“Constitutional jurisdiction is essentially corrective and supervisory; it is not ordinarily a substitute for a fact-finding forum specially constituted under statute,” it observed.

The FCC regretted that constitutional jurisdiction in the present case was exercised prematurely and upon an erroneous construction of the governing enactments.

“The petition, therefore, merits conversion into an appeal and acceptance, with the result that the impugned judgement is liable to be set aside and the parties relegated to the statutory process for determination of the show-cause proceedings in accordance with law,” the court ruled.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2026

ISLAMABAD: A day after the military’s chief spokesperson exposed New Delhi’s claims regarding the alleged killing of a former Pakistani commando in held Kashmir, unprovoked firing by Indian border forces claimed the lives of two Pakistanis near the border in Kasur.

According to a Radio Pakistan report, personnel from India’s Border Security Force (BSF) “opened fire without warning” on the unarmed residents of Ladhar village, near a border pillar.

Citing security sources, Radio Pakistan stated two civilians lost their lives, while another sustained injuries in the firing.

The deceased were identified as Azmat Rasool and Mohsin Jutt, both residents of Jattan Wali Haveli, Ladhar.

“All three individuals were unarmed,” the report said.

“The security sources further said that none of the three individuals had attempted to cross the border fence. They said the incident constitutes a violation of the border agreement and the standard operating procedures governing the Pakistan-India international border,” it added.

“Indian media, while continuing its tradition of a false-flag narrative, labelled the innocent civilians as alleged infiltrators,” the report said.

The development comes a day after Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry called out India’s claims of “neutralising a terrorist” allegedly linked to the Pakistani military, by presenting the individual in question during a live press conference.

Asked if the allegations could trigger another armed conflict between the neighbours, the DG affirmed Pakistan’s armed forces were always ready for any such move and warned of “very harsh” retribution.

He had also accused India of jailing Kashmiri Muslims, adding: “They take them out, kill them, and stage that as a false flag operation, portraying it as a terrorist act.”

Following the DG ISPR’s presser, Federal Minister for Information Atta­ullah Tarar on Friday said that questions had arisen over the Indian Army’s fake encounter, asking whom it had killed if the Pakistani soldier was alive and well.

In a post on X, he questioned which innocent Kashmiri the Indian Army had killed in the fake encounter, adding that the question remained unanswered.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2026

ISLAMABAD: The army’s top brass on Friday warned that any attempt at creating agitation or a “May 9-like situation” would be dealt with “decisive force”, the military’s media wing said on Friday.

The warning came during the 277th Corps Commanders’ Conference in Rawalpindi, which was presided over by Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir.

“[The] forum underscored the importance of internal stability and resolved that any attempt to cause agitation or create [a] May 9-like situation, on any pretext whatsoever, will be dealt with decisive force and rule of law, without hesitation and discrimination,” a statement from Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

The warning comes as the PTI is gearing up for a protest march to Islamabad to demand the release of former prime minister and party founder Imran Khan. The protest was originally scheduled for Sept 27 but was postponed to Oct 4.

The party held talks with the government over its planned long march.

Imran Khan’s arrest on May 9, 2023, had triggered widespread riots across Pakistan, during which government buildings and military installations — including the GHQ in Rawalpindi — were stormed and vandalised. Following the unrest, a crackdown was launched against the PTI, with dozens of terrorism cases lodged against its leaders and supporters.

‘Targeted action’ against Afghanistan

According to ISPR, the forum also reviewed the security landscape and resolved to maintain a “high state of readiness”. It hai­led successful counter-terrorism operations, but stressed the need to blend kinetic and non-kinetic measures.

These included “people-centric governance at [the] grassroot level, strategic eng­agement with [the] public, dismantling of [the] terror-crime nexus operating under patronage of vested interests and police capacity building, in line with the National Action Plan and Vision Azm-i-Istehkam”.

Affirming Pakistan’s right to self-defence, the forum noted the need for “targeted action” against terrorism emanating from Afghanistan, stressing that “only the Taliban’s delusional leadership, facilitating terrorism on behalf of India, bears responsibility for its consequences”.

Since Sept 21, in the aftermath of terror incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan has carried out three strikes in Afghanistan, targeting terrorist hideouts.

A day earlier, ISPR Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that Pakistan had the right to self-defence and “everything that is necessary will be done” in response to terrorism emanating from Afghanistan.

The Corps Commanders Conference on Friday also reiterated Pakistan’s position on India-held Jammu and Kashmir and expressed support for resolving the Kashmir dispute, in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

In his concluding remarks, CDF Munir commended the formations for their operational preparedness and professionalism, directing the commanders to bolster intelligence-based operations and enhance combat capabilities through the adoption of modern technology, training and multi-domain integration.

“He expressed confidence that the armed forces, with unwavering support of the nation, remain fully prepared to safeguard Pakistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security,” ISPR said.

The forum also offered prayers for the martyrs of the armed forces, law enforcement agencies and civil society and paid tribute to their sacrifices.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2026

Separately, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Friday that four of the 10 Pakistani crew members had been “safely retri­eved” and were scheduled to arrive in Karachi over the weekend.

The four seamen — Yasir Khan, Aqeel Khan, Amin bin Shams and Usman Ghani — were retrieved following “sustained efforts” by the Foreign Office (FO) and Pakistan’s embassy in Djibouti, Mr Dar said.

Although the foreign minister said that the four men were due on Oct 3 (Saturday), their family members told Dawn that the sailors would arrive in Karachi from Addis Ababa on an Ethiopian Airlines flight on Sunday (Oct 4).

Meanwhile, the remains of three Pakistani crew members — Rafi Ullah Khan, Syed Kashif Umer and Mahmood Ahmed Ansari — who tragically lost their lives during the operation carried out by Puntland forces, were also being repatriated to Pakistan.

“All necessary legal and other formalities [were] being fast-tracked to expedite the process,” Dar said, adding: “My heartfelt condolences go to the bereaved families, who are going through a deeply painful time.”

The remaining three Pakistani crew members — Imran Ali, Yasin Muhammad and Syed Yousuf Hussain — remain aboard the vessel, along with the captain, Mr Dar said.

“We are actively coordinating with our friendly countries to facilitate their safe extraction and earliest possible return to Pakistan,” he said.

Dar said the Foreign Affairs Ministry, under PM Shehbaz’s leadership, “remains fully seized of the matter” and was continuously making every effort to ensure the return of all Pakistani nationals, including the bodies of the deceased, at the earliest.

The ministry, he added, would continue extending “all possible support” to the affected families.

Relief package for Pakistanis

PM Shehbaz also announced financial support for the families of the deceased, including free housing and free education for their children.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the premier spoke with Syed Kashif Umer’s son, Azhan Kashif, on the phone to extend his condolences and express his grief.

“The prime minister assured him that the government would make arrangements to bring the bodies of the deceased Pakistanis back to Pakistan as soon as possible,” the statement read.

“He directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all other relevant institutions to remain in direct contact with the families at every stage,” it added.

PM Shehbaz also directed the ministry to maintain contact with Somali authorities and other relevant parties to facilitate the transfer of remains.

The statement read that the premier announced the Rs12.5m package for the bereaved families, additionally announcing that the government would provide one house to each deceased person’s family.

“The prime minister said that the bereaved families would not be left alone during this difficult time and that the government would provide all possible cooperation and assistance,” the PMO said.

“The prime minister also instructed the authorities to continue taking all possible measures to ensure that the injured Pakistanis receive the best possible medical care and that the remaining Pakistani crew members return home safely,” it said.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2026

RIYADH/ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia is planning an offensive against Houthis in Yemen, with options being considered including a coastal push to secure the Red Sea shipping route or an assault on multiple fronts, regional and Western officials told Reuters.

The operation, expected to be launched in the coming weeks, will be led by Yemeni forces on the ground, which are overseen by Riyadh, and supported by Saudi air strikes, according to six people with knowledge of the preparations.

The Saudi allies aren’t expected to play a direct role in the planned Saudi offensive, which will be aimed at reversing the rapid gains made by the Houthis when they advanced down the coast and seized control of the Bab al-Mandeb strait, according to the people with knowledge of the plans who include Gulf and Yemeni officials and Western diplomats.

The Saudis are considering two possible options for the assault, the Gulf and Yemeni officials said: Either a narrowly focused attack on the area around Bab al-Mandeb or a broader offensive that also includes other synchronised attacks on multiple fronts around Yemen, in the governorates of Al-Bayda, Marib, Taiz and Al-Jawf.

More than 100,000 Yemeni troops could be mobilised in the offensive, depending on the scale, the officials all said.

The six people with knowledge of the Saudi preparations couldn’t give a precise timing for the launch of the offensive, with their estimates ranging from within a week to until after the US midterm elections in early November.

Condemnation, denial

On Friday, Pakistan’s civil and military leadership strongly condemned the attacks on Saudi Arabia, following the Saudi-led coalition’s claim that Yemen’s Houthis-led Ansarallah forces struck an electricity distribution station in the holy city of Madina.

Similar condemnations came from Turkiye, Qatar, Egypt and the League of Arab States, which stated that the attack “provokes the sentiments of Muslims worldwide”.

The Saudi-led coalition claimed a drone struck Madina’s Taibah electricity distribution station, which provides power to the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) Mosque, as the Houthis-led Ansarallah forces denied their involvement in the attack.

A senior Houthi official once again rejected the accusations about targeting any holy site in Saudi Arabia.

Riyadh meeting

Addressing a press briefing in Islamabad on Friday, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said attacks on Saudi Arabia and the Haramain Sharifain by Houthis are “absolutely unacceptable”.

He said an emergency meeting of the Strategic Political Defence Committee [SPDC] formed under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement [MJDA] between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye would be held in Riyadh next week to review Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.

He said the upcoming session was an emergency meeting, while a regular meeting was scheduled for late October or early November to complete pending work.

The pact provides that an attack against one member is treated as an attack against all.

Expansion

According to Mr Dar, the SPDC comprises nine members — the foreign ministers, defence ministers and army chiefs of the three countries. He said at least six more countries had expressed interest in joining them, but the expansion could only be considered after the agreement became fully operational, which would take at least a year.

Its first meeting was held in Istanbul on Aug 31, where it was decided that the secretariat would be headed by Pakistan for an initial period of three years. The foreign ministers then met in New York on Sept 24 in the wake of increased Houthi attacks, followed by a special meeting of the three army chiefs in Riyadh on Sept 25. However, Mr Dar said, the situation on the ground had prompted fresh consultations.

“The full meeting of the SPDC will soon be held in Riyadh, and the current ground realities, particularly the situation in Saudi Arabia, will be examined under the Makkah Accord,” he said.

Responding to questions, Mr Dar said he had spoken to Iran at length and reminded Tehran of Pakistan’s commitments under the trilateral agreement. Iran, he said, denied any association with the Houthis and Iraqi militia but suggested that the Houthis be “engaged politically rather than through kinetic action”. The suggestion, he clarified, came up during a discussion between the two foreign ministers in good faith, but a final decision would be taken jointly by the three SPDC members.

In a statement, Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said the reprehensible attack, took place on Sept 29, against civilian infrastructure supplying electricity to the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) Mosque was a grave provocation and that the sanctity of the Two Holy Mosques and the safety of worshippers and pilgrims must be respected under all circumstances. “We call for an immediate and unconditional end of such reckless actions that also constitute a grave threat to regional peace and security.”

Also, the Corps Commander Conference in its meeting on Friday “strongly resented Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, expressed solidarity with the kingdom and affirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the security and sanctity of the Haramain Sharifain”.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2026

ISLAMABAD: For the first time in almost three years, representatives of the federal government and the opposition PTI formally came together on Friday for talks aimed at easing the political tension in the country, and apprised each other of their positions.

A second meeting is expected to take place today (Saturday), where the demands presented by the opposition side are expected to be taken up, which will be taken up again today (Saturday) in a second round of talks.

Though neither side shared its specific demands with the media, both were hopeful of a positive outcome from the meeting, which was chaired by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq.

Sources on both sides told Dawn that the PTI wants its incarcerated founder Imran Khan to be shifted from jail to a hospital for medical treatment, while the government has insisted that the opposition call off its protest march on Islamabad, scheduled for Oct 4.

According to a statement issued by the NA Secretariat, the government and opposition representatives apprised each other of their positions and “held a detailed exchange of views in a constructive and cordial manner”, emphasising the need to resolve national issues through dialogue.

The second round will be held at 2pm on Saturday in the speaker’s chambers. The NA statement credited Mr Sadiq with a key role in facilitating the dialogue.

Welcoming the delegations, the speaker said he was “only playing the role of a mediator” and that his office was “always open” to resolving issues through negotiations. He said he had consistently invited the opposition to talks and, noting that positions and offices were temporary, added: “Parliament is the only forum where solutions to issues can be found.”

The government side included Kashmir Affairs Minister Amir Muqam, PM’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, along with the PPP’s Senator Sherry Rehman and MNAs Syed Naveed Qamar and Ejaz Hussain Jakhrani.

The opposition delegation, led by Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas according to the Tehreek-i-Tahaffuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP), comprised PTI interim chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Amir Dogar, former NA speaker Asad Qaiser and PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja.

Free hand

Before the talks, PTI leaders had said they would need to meet Mr Khan in jail to seek his instructions. Barrister Gohar, however, later said the PTI founder had given complete authority to the opposition leaders in the National Assembly and Senate — Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Raja Nasir Abbas — to take any decision in light of the negotiations’ outcome. After the meeting, PTI leaders went straight to Mr Achakzai’s residence to brief him on the details.

PPP leader Saleem Mandviwalla said in a statement that his party agreed Mr Khan should be shifted to a hospital, adding that the government was not in the mood to impose an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “We have asked the government that, if Imran Khan wants so, allow him to get his medical treatment in a hospital,” he said.

‘Unconditional’ cancellation

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Ms Rehman said the PPP believed in resolving issues through negotiations, but reiterated party chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s stance that the PTI must call off the march “unconditionally”.

“They will have to call it off rather than postponing or deferring,” she said. “Both parties have time; we will meet tomorrow. We will try to conclude this by tomorrow.”

Asked about the opposition’s reported demand for a meeting with Mr Khan, she said she could not answer, but noted that the opposition had sought time and “we should respect it”. A political and democratic attitude, she added, required resolving issues through dialogue at the negotiating table.

Later, Mr Bhutto-Zardari welcomed the government’s decision to work with the PPP and jointly engage the opposition “to find political solutions to political problems”. “The challenge of terrorism has become an existential threat to Pakistan, particularly given the active support these groups receive from neighbouring countries,” he wrote on X.

He hoped the talks would end with the long march being called off unconditionally, allowing the country to unite against terrorism and threats from neighbouring countries, and said the PPP remained committed to combating terrorism “through any and all constitutional means”.

‘Engage with integrity’

During a break in the talks, Senator Abbas told the media that if the government cared about the political crisis, it should “sit with the opposition with integrity and step forward to find a solution”. The march call, he said, would remain “intact” until a solution was found.

“Negotiating is the way of political leaders; negotiations could resolve gigantic issues and war,” he said, adding that much depended on the government’s intention.

Questioning whether the government genuinely wanted a resolution, he said it was the government’s responsibility to maintain peace, resolve crises and ensure economic stability, and that the outcome hinged on how “autonomous” it was and whether it had the “intent” to negotiate.

Emergency option

The talks come as the PTI remains resolute on the march. Federal ministers have warned that the Centre would have no option but to impose governor’s rule or an emergency in KP, citing the province’s security situation and the protest call, while the PTI has warned of dire consequences if such a step is taken.

The decision to hold talks was taken on Thursday at a presidency meeting attended by President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Mr Naqvi, Attorney General Mansoor Awan and other PPP and PML-N leaders. A source privy to the huddle told Dawn the emergency option was discussed, but participants agreed to first give the opposition a chance to settle matters peacefully through dialogue, and to seriously consider an emergency only if the PTI did not back down. The coalition also believes the march will remain confined to KP and not enter Punjab or Islamabad.

On Thursday, Mr Sanaullah said the government and PTI were engaged in “off-the-record talks” over the protest, and that the decision on the march rested with the PTI’s senior leadership, “with whom off-the-record consultation is ongoing”. “So let us see, even if they do not postpone it, we have arrangements in place to stop them,” he warned.

Separately, the prime minister has invited Mr Achakzai for dialogue, and the two are expected to meet in the coming days.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2026

Tear gas clouded the streets in the eastern city of Stra­sbourg, fireworks were aimed at police lines in Marseille, in the south, and rubbish bins set ablaze in Rennes, in the west.

Protesters in Pantin, on the outskirts of Paris, set items including fences on fire and threw firecrackers at riot police, before running away.

After a government crisis meeting on Thursday, a source close to the prime minister said the demonstrations had morphed from a protest movement to urban violence, and Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin has said it had been hijacked by “outsiders”.

Teachers’ strike planned

Six months before next year’s presidential election, opinion polls consistently show the deep unpopularity of Macron and his centre-right-leaning government. Planned budget cuts, which exacerbate the funding crisis in education, have fuelled the discontent.

Education Minister Edouard Geffray said 65 education staff have been injured during the unrest, including 40 head teachers.

Several students in the Paris region said earlier in the week they were staying away from the protests due to escalating violence.

Trade unions called a teachers’ strike for Tuesday, a week after public sector workers walked out.

“(The violence) is regrettable, but when demands go unheard for years, and given the political and geopolitical context, there are several conditions that put students in a real state of anxiety,” teacher Sandra Champain-Seller said.

‘Reparations’

The protests erupted in the Paris region last week, but have turned increasingly violent as they spread nationwide.

Darmanin told RTL radio that police had arrested 2,000 people, most of them teenagers, since the protests began, adding that parents of those damaging property should pay reparations.

Four hundred high schools, roughly one in 10, were closed on Friday due to the unrest, while Geffray urged parents to keep their children from protesting.

Some parents supported the protests. Vincent Martin joined his daughter outside Helene Boucher high school, in Paris, saying students were “fundamentally right to demand better learning conditions”.

Years of low investment

The students blockading the high schools have voiced anger over overcrowding in classrooms, regular shortages of teachers and dilapidated buildings, blaming years of low investment.

“We are 35 per class, we don’t have enough chairs in classrooms, the one-hour lunch break (is too short) for everyone to get food,” 15-year-old Kesia said in the Paris suburb of Pantin before running off as the police used tear gas.

Under the draft budget presented by the government on Thursday, the education bud­get is set to increase by a below-inf­lation 1.7pc to 65.53bn euros, excluding teacher pensions.

Education is traditionally the largest budget item, but that changes next year as debt servicing costs are expected to reach 74.5bn euros, according to the draft bill.

According to the OECD global policy forum, French spending on education is in the middle of the range among member countries and increased between 2015 and 2022, but its share of the budget has slightly decreased.

Intelligence agencies told the crisis meeting that the protest movement had been initiated by politicians from the hard-left France Unbowed party (LFI). Senior LFI lawmakers rebutted the allegations, accusing the government of politicising the protests ahead of the election.

Rights groups have accused the police of using heavy-handed tactics against minors, including the use of batons, tear gas and non-lethal flash-ball guns. The interior ministry said it had opened three investigations into police violence.

In a sign the protests may spread beyond France, high school students in Belgium’s Liege began protesting on Thursday. A city hall spokesperson said high schools were closed on Friday.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2026

The security czar, who had whipped up a political storm when he called for the formation of new administrative units in the country a few months ago, urged the business community to support the government’s efforts in this regard.

Mr Naqvi made the remarks while speaking to businessmen in Lahore – reminiscent of his original tirade at the Pakistan Economic Summit in July.

“As far as federal institutions are concerned, we do receive your complaints from time to time. It seems that some departments and institutions have become hurdles in the way of our performance. So whenever possible, we try our best to correct the things,” the minister said.

Revives earlier call for ‘system reset’, seeks support from business community

“I will not speak more on this and I don’t want to go into detail, as there are many things and we achieved many of them. But at this time, this country’s system needs to be reset, and we cannot do that until we have your support,” he reiterated.

He hoped that whenever the system is reset, things will much improve.

The interior minister, who has recently made several whirlwind trips to Iran as part of the country’s efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the ongoing hostilities between Iran and the US, also spoke at length about the neighbouring country’s progress despite decades of sanctions.

In his words, those who hadn’t been to Iran thought of it as a war-torn country, with destruction everywhere. “The people who visited Iran with me returned astonished after seeing the scale of development in a country that has been suffering under sanctions for many years,” he said.

“You name anything – their auto industry is manufacturing everything locally. I agree that export-led growth is necessary for this the country’s [economic uplift], but at the same time, we need to reduce our imports through local manufacturing,” he said, requesting the business community to come up with proposals related to both exports and imports.

He stressed the need to learn from Iran’s economic development. “If they can do this despite sanctions for 30-40 years, we can do much more than them. And it is easy for us,” he maintained.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2026

“The march on October 4 will take place at any cost,” he said in a statement issued here.

He said the procession from the southern districts would be led by the chief minister, while the procession from Malakand Division would be led by PTI provincial president and MNA Junaid Akbar Khan.

He said processions from the southern districts, Peshawar, Malakand and Hazara would converge in Swabi, adding that preparations for the march had been completed and a shortage of resources would not be a hindrance.

Shaukat Yousafzai says CM Afridi will lead procession

Mr Yousafzai said the success of the government-opposition negotiations would depend on the government’s attitude.

He said the PTI had been demanding access to incarcerated party founder Imran Khan, his transfer to a hospital and early hearings of his cases.

He described PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan as a mature and conciliatory person who would find a way forward.

“So far, I can call the government-opposition negotiations encouraging,” he said.

He said both sides had presented their respective positions during Friday’s negotiations, adding, “Let’s see what happens next.”

He further said the final destination of the protest march was Islamabad.

“Governor’s rule is not the solution to the problems; it will make the situation even more serious,” he said.

He said suggestions for imposing governor’s rule or an emergency were being made by non-political people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. If the government wanted to improve the situation, he added, it should immediately allow a meeting with Imran Khan.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2026

ISLAMABAD: The government on Friday directed civil servants who have yet to declare their foreign or dual nationalities, and those of their family members, to do so within a week or face disciplinary proceedings.

In an office memorandum sent to all ministries and divisions, as well as provincial chief secretaries and police chiefs, the Establishment Division recalled that civil servants of all cadres and categories had been notified in June about the Civil Servants (Disclosure and Prohibition of Foreign and Dual Nationality) Rules, 2026.

Rule 3(3) required all civil servants to declare their own and their dependents’ foreign or dual nationalities within 90 days of publication of the rules in the official gazette on June 1. Therefore, the deadline expired on Sept 1.

The Establishment Division had also reminded departments on July 17 that within 90 days of notification of the rules, all civil servants were required to submit a declaration in the prescribed format regarding their own and their dependents’ nationality status, possession of foreign travel documents and marriage to a foreign national.

Rule 3(4) provides that failure to submit the required declaration, or submission of a false declaration, constitutes misconduct under the Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2020.

In its latest order, the Establishment Division pointed out that a number of officers belonging to the Pakistan Administrative Service (formerly DMG), Police Service of Pakistan, Secretariat Group and Office Management Group had still not submitted their declarations of foreign nationality.

It said the competent authority had directed that officers of the PAS, PSP, SG and OMG who failed to furnish their declarations within a week would be liable to proceedings under the Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2020.

Under the 2026 rules, every civil servant is also required, at the time of appointment, to declare to the cadre administrator whether he or she, or any dependent, is a foreign national or holds a foreign travel document.

“Failure to make such declaration or making a false declaration in this respect shall render the appointment void ab initio and liable to termination at any time,” Rule 3 states.

Civil servants are also required to submit an annual declaration to their cadre administrators regarding their own and their dependents’ foreign nationality status, and whether they have obtained or are in the process of obtaining foreign nationality or a foreign travel document without prior sanction.

They are also required to upd­ate the status of any marriage involving themselves or their dep­endents with a foreign national.

The rules generally prohibit civil servants and their dependents from seeking or applying for foreign nationality or a foreign travel document without prior approval of the appointing authority.

Rule 4 further provides that no such approval may be granted for a country where the civil servant is serving, or has served, on an accredited diplomatic posting.

In case a civil servant or dependent already holds foreign nationality or foreign travel documents of a country in which the official is serving or has served on diplomatic assignment, the rules require that status or those documents to be revoked, withdrawn, cancelled or renounced, as the case may be.

Rule 6, dealing with marriages to foreign nationals, provides that a civil servant who has contracted or intends to contract such a marriage will continue to be governed by the Government Servants (Marriage with Foreign Nationals) Rules, 1962.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2026

She was addressing a delegation of the National Command Authority Senior Officers Leadership Course on Thursday, according to an official handout.

Speaking on the occasion, she said Pakistan’s “excellent image and new face” had emerged before the world during the recent conflict with India, adding that the army and other security institutions were rendering invaluable services for the country’s defence.

The chief minister said good governance and performance were essential to tackling internal security threats. “We are Pakistanis first, regardless of whether we belong to Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan or Gilgit,” she said, stressing the need for continuity in national policies.

Credits PML-N’s extended rule over Punjab for ensuring policy continuity, leading to better governance; Azma says policies should not be sacrificed to ‘political changes’

Building on her argument for political continuity, CM Maryam said governance standards had improved because the PML-N had remained in government in the province for longer periods. She also claimed that terrorism had been brought under control in Punjab, but acknowledged that the threat had not disappeared, adding that the provincial government remained prepared for any possible attacks.

The chief minister said the province previously had around 70 areas regarded as “no-go areas”, but claimed that there was no such area now.

“I am responsible for the safety of 140 million people, so I had to take decisions that had not been taken before,” she said.

Referring to criticism of her government, CM Maryam said there were occasions when she had to choose between “protecting myself or protecting the people”, adding that she had always prioritised the public.

The chief minister said she had no personal grievances against anyone, and did not seek credit for herself. “I ensure 100 per cent merit in Punjab, and neither accept recommendations nor do people now approach me with recommendations,” she said.

Listing her administration’s ‘achievements’, she said the government had strengthened security infrastructure, particularly in border areas, by establishing fortified posts and providing weapons and night-vision cameras. She also highlighted round-the-clock surveillance to detect terrorist activity.

The chief minister said the Punjab government had established separate groups for administration and law and order and that special attention was being given to crimes against women and children.

She said the government had dismissed around 1,000 police and revenue officials as part of measures against corruption and claimed that sustained act­ion had created a fear of the law among officials demanding or accepting bribes.

The chief minister said the government had established virtual police stations for women unable to visit police stations, particularly victims of domestic violence, claiming that hundreds of thousands of cases had been dealt with through the system.

In a subsequent statement, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari also stressed the importance of policy continuity, saying that CM Maryam’s “clear stance is that governments may change, but the national vision and policies aimed at public welfare should not change”.

She insisted that the country’s development was not the responsibility of any single province, government or political party; rather, it is a shared responsibility of all. “Policies formulated for the country’s development and public welfare should not be sacrificed to political changes.”

Ms Bokhari said that if a policy introduced today is abandoned or changed tomorrow merely because of a political change, the country cannot move forward. “Pakistan needs a consistent national vision and continuity of policies instead of short-term political agendas,” she noted.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2026

In a meeting with provincial ministers, including Mir Asim Kurd Gello and Noor Muhammad Dummar, MPA Zarak Khan Mandokhail and Parliamentary Secretary Muhammad Khan Lehri at Governor House, he said democracy required tolerance and giving others space to present their point of view.

He said concrete steps were being taken to strengthen government institutions at every level, stressing the need to bring young people closer to the national mainstream.

He said democratic institutions had a fundamental responsibility to create awareness among citizens about their rights and duties, strengthen social justice and ensure protection of their constitutional rights and powers.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2026

A delegation of the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Balochistan and Quetta Zone on Friday met National Party President Dr Abdul Malik Baloch to discuss issues facing doctors in the province.

PMA Balochistan President Dr Naeem Zarkoon and others including General Secretary Dr Zarak Muhammad Shahi, Joint Secretary Dr Ahmed Abbas and spokesperson Dr Abdullah Wardag during the meeting informed Dr Baloch about the details of new taxation which was causing difficulties to the community.

The PMA delegation briefed Dr Baloch on the difficulties faced by doctors due to taxes imposed by the Federal Board of Revenue and the Balochistan Revenue Authority (BRA), highlighting the seriousness of the issue.

The delegation said the PMA strongly opposed absenteeism and believed that every doctor should fulfil their professional responsibilities. However, it said the current AI-based attendance system did not correspond to the ground realities of Balochistan and it was creating difficulties even for doctors who regularly performed their duties.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2026

The commission, headed by Justice Muhammad Amir Nawaz Rana, held the hearing in open court and recorded the statements of several witnesses.

In compliance with the commission’s directives, the NCCIA submitted a report detailing the measures taken since the attack and the action initiated against the dissemination of fake news on social media.

The report said several social media accounts allegedly involved in spreading fake news had been blocked, while further action against such accounts was underway.

Meanwhile, the director of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority also submitted responses before the commission.

The commission reviewed the statements of the witnesses and the reports submitted during the hearing before adjourning further proceedings until the next hearing.­

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2026

Mr Soomro was seized at gunpoint on Sept 20 while travelling from Quetta to Kharan in a private car. Unidentified armed men intercepted the car in the Lajah area of Kharan district and abducted the deputy commissioner along with his friend, driver and personal security guard.

“The Kharan DC, who was abducted by armed men, has been released safely,” a senior official with the Provincial Home Department told Dawn. A close family member also confirmed Mr Soomro’s release.

The captors released the driver and the security guard three days after the initial kidnapping.

Following the abduction, security forces, including local police and the Frontier Corps, launched a comprehensive search operation in the region.

Meanwhile, authorities approached local tribal elders to establish contact with the kidnappers. Sources indicated that negotiations held between these elders and the armed men secured Mr Soomro’s release.

Babar Yousafzai, an aide to the Balochistan Home Department, welcomed the safe recovery of the official and emphasised that the protection of civil servants and the public remains a top priority.

Mr Yousafzai reiterated the government’s resolve to restore peace across Balochistan, adding that authorities will continue to take all necessary measures to maintain law and order and protect citizens’ lives and property.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2026

Armed men entered the premises of Roshan Grammar School in the Menaz area of Buleda tehsil and opened fire, they said, adding that the school’s CCTV system was destroyed in the attack.

Confirming the incident, the school’s director Zahoor Baloch told reporters that the attack was carried out during Friday prayers. Mr Baloch, who is currently in Karachi, said that according to his staff, around eight armed assailants entered the premises and opened indiscriminate fire.

This marks the fifth attack on the school. According to the director, previous attacks, including an arson attempt in which school furniture was also gutted, had caused significant damage.

Repeated attacks on the private educational institution have raised concerns among local residents regarding security.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2026

The AJK Election Commission Secretariat formally notified their election after the scrutiny of nomination papers found them valid.

According to a notification issued by Commission Secretary Ayaz Bashir, the four were declared elected under Section 18 of the AJK Council (Election) Act, 1976, on the basis of the election returns submitted by the returning officer.

The four vacant seats had been contested by three PML-N nominees and one PPP nominee, whose documents were filed on Thursday. No other candidate entered the contest, resulting in their election unopposed after scrutiny on Friday.

The newly elected Council members are former Legislative Assembly speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar of the PPP from Muzaffarabad, former minister Mushtaq Ahmed Minhas of the PML-N from Bagh, former minister Chaudhry Muhammad Saeed of the PML-N from Mirpur, and Chaudhry Manzoor Ahmed of the PML-N from Muzaffarabad.

Except for Mr Manzoor, the other three had contested the recent general elections on their respective party tickets but were unsuccessful.

Legislative Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Tariq Farooq felicitated the four members.

“Their long parliamentary experience and public service will, I am confident, strengthen the Council’s role in upholding the Constitution and law, promoting good governance, sustainable development, and further strengthening the historic, ideological and intellectual bonds between the people of AJK and Pakistan,” he said in a post on X.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday ordered the modernisation of the country’s regulatory authorities as part of efforts to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and create a more transparent and business-friendly environment to attract domestic and foreign investment.

Presiding over a high-level meeting to review ongoing economic reforms, the prime minister dir­e­cted officials to establish a comprehensive regulatory registry to consolidate all existing requirements, rules and regulations under a single framework.

At the meeting, officials said the Cabinet Comm­i­ttee on Regulatory Refo­rms okayed 557 reforms across seven multi-sector areas with expected Rs460 billion savings ann­ually.

The prime minister also called for nationwide implementation of the Easy Business Act to harmonise regulatory systems across provinces and ensure uniform facilities for businesses.

He ordered that regulatory reforms undertaken by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) be effectively publicised so the business community is aware of available facilities and can benefit from them.

He directed an SIFC delegation led by Haroon Akhtar Khan, adviser to the PM on industries, to visit all provinces and take provincial governments into confidence on the reform process to promote business facilitation.

The PM instructed the SIFC and Punjab chief secretary to complete the integration of the eBiz Punjab system with Islamabad business facilitation centre by March 2027.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2026

Additional Director General (Local Gove­rn­ment Elections) Chaudhry Nadeem Qasim, on behalf of the commission, forwarded the draft programme and sought the provincial government’s views on the proposed timeline. The final election schedule will be notified after ECP’s approval.

Under the draft progra­mme, nomination papers will be filed from Oct 27 to 30, while scrutiny will be conducted from Nov 2 to 5. Appeals against the acceptance or rejection of nomination papers can be filed from Nov 7 to 11 and will be decided by the relevant election tribunals between Nov 12 and 16. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is Nov 18. The final list of candidates will be displayed on Nov 19, while election symbols will be allotted on Nov 20. Pol­ling is proposed to be held on Dec 14, with returning officers scheduled to ann­ounce the results by Dec 17.

The last local governm­ent elections in Punjab were held in phases betw­een October and December 2015, and elected councils assumed office in 2017 after indirect elections for mayors and chairpersons. Since then, local body polls in Punjab have experienced repeated delays.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Opposition alliance Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-i-Ayin-i-Pakistan (TTAP) on Friday stepped up its campaign to reach out to other parties and convince them to participate in a multiparty conference (MPC), an initiative led by the PTI.

A TTAP delegation met the leadership of the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), which accepted the invitation to attend the event.

The TTAP delegation included Leader of the Opposition in Senate Allama Raja Nasir Abbas and PTI leaders Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Asad Qaiser.

They met JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman and other leaders. During the meeting, they focused on the political situation in the country, particularly developments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

A statement issued by TTAP later said the participants stressed the “need to make communication and consultation among democratic and political forces more effective to promote political stability, strengthen democratic traditions and ensure the supremacy of the Constitution and law”.

Addressing the media after the meeting, the JI chief said his party would not support the government’s move to suspend the Constitution, impose governor’s rule or declare an emergency in KP.

He added that political parties needed to sit together and resolve the country’s problems through dialogue.

Naeemur Rehman added that the JI stood with all political forces seeking the restoration of the political process, protection of fundamental rights and continuation of democratic activity.

Speaking to the media, Mr Abbas said better decisions could be reached through consultation on national issues.

Barrister Gohar thanked Hafiz Naeem and the JI leadership for accepting the MPC invitation and supporting PTI’s demands.

In a separate meeting, under the leadership of Mr Abbas, a TTAP delegation met former prime minister and chairman of the Awam Pakistan Party, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, at his residence.

“During the meeting, a detailed exchange of views took place on the country’s overall political situation, the democratic process, the supremacy of the Constitution, and national issues,” according to a TTAP statement.The delegation also invited Mr Abbasi to participate in the MPC.

Separately, Sajid Tareen, the central senior vice president of the Balochistan National Party (BNP), strongly condemned any potential imposition of governor’s rule in KP or attempts to dismantle the province’s Form-45-backed elected government and chief minister. Addressing a press conference in Quetta, he also announced his party’s full support for the PTI’s march scheduled for Oct 4.

Muhammad Akbar Notezai in Quetta also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2026

KARACHI: Bears tightened their grip on the stock market on Friday as sluggishness amid geopolitical and economic challenges left equity investors on edge, prompting some to offload positions and pushing the benchmark KSE-100 index below 168,000 intraday. The index settled lower for the second consecutive session.

Topline Securities Ltd said the index traded mostly in negative territory during the session and settled at 168,155 points, down 0.29 per cent. Investor participation remained subdued amid a lack of fresh triggers, elevated crude oil prices, and the ongoing stalemate in US-Iran relations. Market activity stayed muted, with traded volume and value recorded at 492m shares and Rs17.45bn, respectively.

The top negative contributors to the index were Systems Ltd, Meezan Bank, Lucky Cement, National Bank, and Habib Bank, which cumulatively weighed on the index by 269 points.

Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Ltd, said the benchmark index carried forward yesterday’s fragile momentum but opted to remain on the sidelines due to geopolitical uncertainty.

According to media reports, France has proposed releasing 50 million barrels of diesel from Europe and 50 million barrels of crude oil across IEA members. As a result, international oil prices fell by more than 2pc. However, this did not lure bulls back to the PSX, ultimately leading to a negative close.

On the macro front, the Sensitive Price Index (SPI) for the week ended Oct 1 rose 11.53pc year-on-year and 0.21pc week-on-week. In addition, PBS reported that Pakistan’s trade deficit widened to $3.6bn in September, as exports rose 17.6pc year-on-year to $2.9bn, while imports increased 11pc to $6.5bn.

Analysts expect market sentiment to remain volatile, with selective buying likely if geopolitical tensions continue to ease and oil prices trend lower. However, elevated energy prices, external-sector risks, and the ongoing IMF review will continue to shape market direction.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2026

This took 1QFY27 sales to 4.1m tonnes, up 6pc YoY, mainly driven by higher furnace oil sales amid a shift in the power generation mix, Salman Iqbal of Top Line Securities said.

Furnace oil sales stood at 93,000 tonnes, up 601pc YoY in September 2026, mainly due to LNG shortages that increased the former’s consumption in power generation. “The same was down 5pc MoM due to lower power demand in our view,” Mr Iqbal said.

Total furnace oil sales during 1QFY27 stood at 270,000 tonnes, up 470pc YoY. Average petrol prices rose 42pc YoY to Rs375 per litre, while those of diesel increased 48pc to Rs401 per litre.

Petrol sales declined 5pc YoY and 2pc MoM to 652,000 tonnes in September. Total petrol sales during 1QFY27 rose 4pc to 2.046m tonnes.

Diesel fell 11pc YoY but increased 25pc MoM to 525,000 tonnes in September. However, sales dipped 3pc YoY to 1.571m tonnes in 1QFY27.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2026

“It will enable the applicants to test their innovative solutions and help SBP in refining and upgrading the regulatory environment in line with the emerging technologies,” the central bank said in a circular.

In line with SBP Vision 2028, the SBP launched the Regulatory Sandbox in August 2025 and successfully concluded its first cohort in June.

With the announcement of the second cohort, the SBP continues its efforts to support responsible innovation in the digital financial services ecosystem, while ensuring consumer protection and financial stability.

For the second cohort, the SBP will consider applications focused on use cases covering the following themes: AI in Financial Services; Innovations in Payments;

Technology-enabled Inward Remittances and Open Theme—NextGen Financial Services.

Applications for participation in the second cohort will be accepted till Nov 30, the circular said.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2026

In absolute terms, export proceeds stood at $8.43 billion in July-September, up from $7.59bn in the corresponding period last year.

Officials noted that the impact of budgetary measures on the export sector may become more apparent in the months ahead. Export proceeds grew despite Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s clear displeasure with exporters’ performance.

In September, exports rose by 17.61pc to $2.94bn, from $2.49bn in the same month last year, suggesting a revival of the export sector.

Trade gap widens 15.13pc to $10.79bn in July-Sept

On a month-on-month basis, export proceeds rose 16.07pc.

In FY26, Pakistan’s merchandise exports not only missed the annual target by $4.87bn, but also contracted, reflecting the PML-N-led coalition government’s failure to achieve visible improvement over the last four years. Export proceeds also contracted by 5.97pc to $32.04bn.

The planning ministry had earlier projected that export proceeds would climb to $60bn by 2030 — a target that has largely remained confined to official documents. More recently, however, the same ministry revised the projection upward, setting a new target of $100bn by 2035.

Jawed Bilwani, Coordinator of the All Pakistan Exporters Association Forum, said exporters were struggling for survival amid unprecedented challenges, including high manufacturing costs, lack of competitiveness, and the absence of a level playing field.

He highlighted that Pakistani exporters operate on narrow profit margins compared to regional competitors, face higher taxes than other businesses, and endure prolonged delays in refund payments without compensation. He added that arbitrary FBR deductions, liquidity pressures, and high operational costs were crippling the sector.

The export sector had already been under pressure since February due to the Middle East conflict. The disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have pushed up shipping costs for exporters and disrupted supply chains. Similarly, exports to Afghanistan have been suspended since October 2025, which is also one of the major export markets.

Trade deficit

According to PBS data, imports rose 13.21pc to $19.22bn in 1QFY27 from $16.97bn in the corresponding quarter last year.

In September, import value rose 11.05pc to $6.49bn from $5.84bn in the corresponding month last year. Month-on-month, imports increased 11.05pc.

In FY26, the import bill grew by 7.89pc to $69.59bn against $64.51bn in FY25.

The trade deficit rose 15.13pc to $10.79bn in 1QFY27 from $9.37bn over the corresponding quarter last year. In September, the trade deficit rose 6.15pc to $3.55bn from $3.35bn in the corresponding month last year.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2026

The short-term inflation, measured by the Sensitive Price Index (SPI), rose by 0.21pc on a week-on-week basis, reflecting fluctuations in food and non-food prices.

Unwilling to reduce petroleum development levy, the government is steadily increasing petrol and diesel prices on a daily basis. The rising energy prices were also indirectly contributing to higher sales tax collection.

The items whose prices increased the most over the previous week included chicken (7.25pc), garlic (1.85pc), pulse gram (1.30pc), LPG (1.17pc), eggs (0.72pc), rice IRRI-6/9 (0.55pc), onions (0.39pc), washing soap (0.33pc), wheat flour (0.29pc), long cloth and lawn printed (0.19pc) each.

The items whose prices saw a decline week-on-week included diesel (3.43pc), bananas (1.52pc), sugar (1.05pc), potatoes (0.96pc), petrol (0.65pc), pulse moong (0.63pc), tomatoes (0.51pc), pulse masoor (0.42pc), gur (0.12pc) and powdered milk (0.10pc).

However, on an annual basis, the items whose prices increased the most included onions (114.20pc), LPG (66.59pc), electricity for Q1 (58.59pc), diesel (44.50pc), petrol (44.05pc), wheat flour (32.65pc), chilli powder (15.55pc), mutton (15.07pc), chicken (13.60pc), beef (12.90pc), bread plain (8.96pc) and milk fresh (8.10pc).

In contrast, the prices of tomatoes dropped 45.52pc, followed by potatoes (39.54pc), sugar (21.95pc), eggs (17.47pc), salt powder (14.81pc), pulse masoor (10.92pc), pulse gram (9.90pc) and pulse moong (8.20pc).

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.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2026

However, export despatches fell 11.31pc to 2.296m tonnes in July-September from 2.589m tonnes a year ago.

Total cement despatches (domestic and exports) rose 4pc to 13.141m tonnes in 1QFY27.

According to data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manu­facturers Assoc­iation, local cement despatches in September were 3.788m tonnes, up 7.35pc from 3.529m tonnes in the same month last year.

Export despatches were almost flat at 832,173 tonnes compared to 831,966 tonnes in September.

Total cement despatches (local and exports) during September were 4.621m tonnes, up from 4.361 m tonnes in the same month last fiscal year, a six per cent increase.

A spokesman for the All Pakistan Cement Manuf­acturers Associ­ation expre­ssed concerns about the decline in exports and the continued instability in energy prices.

He was optimistic that the geopolitical tensions would be resolved soon, enabling the cement and allied industries to come out of this difficult situation.

Rabia Yousuf of Topline Securities said total cement capacity utilisation was estimated at 51pc, up from 50pc in September 2025 and 47pc in August 2026.

She said average retail cement prices rose by 10pc year-on-year to Rs1,550 per bag in September from Rs1,408 mainly due to higher fuel and transportation costs.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2026

Truckers are refusing to drive north, for fear their vehicles will be seized and the containers used to barricade Islamabad ahead of an Oct 4 march on the city planned by Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) opposition party.

“Right now, going toward Punjab is like committing suicide,” said driver Javid ur Rehman, 35, who has halted such journeys, referring to Pakistan’s most populous province.

“The police seize the vehicles and snatch the containers, and then we are left distressed.”

Containers pile up as truckers halt northbound trips ahead of PTI march

Steel shipping containers, packed with sand and welded together, have lined the roads into Islamabad for weeks, in preparations against a march, postponed from Sept 27, to demand Khan’s release from prison.

The former prime minister was jailed in 2023 after being ousted by parliament. All convictions but one have been suspended or overturned, with appeals pending.

His party remains under state scrutiny that has suppressed participation in recent protests, however.

“This is not the way to stop protests,” said Rana Mohammad Aslam, president of the Karachi Goods Carrier Association. Authorities began stopping vehicles around Sept 5, weeks before the original march date, he said.

Pakistan’s home, information, commerce and finance ministries did not respond to requests for comment. Punjab police and the provincial home department also did not respond.

The containers are positioned ready for placement at key entry points into Islamabad, a capital region larger than the southeast Asian city state of Singapore.

Transporters battling rising prices say they cannot afford to have trucks seized.

Police requisitioned more than 2,000 vehicles in September ahead of the march, they added, many still loaded with cargo and held for days with little or no compensation.

Their reluctance is leaving containers piling up at Pakistan’s main trade gateway, Karachi.

The disruption was affecting routes to Islamabad, the military city of Rawalpindi, and the cities of Jhelum, Peshawar and Attock, Aslam said.

Some operators had halted journeys beyond Gujranwala in Punjab, while others took alternative routes.

Transporters mounting bills

The bills are mounting for those whose containers have been seized, as daily demurrage charges on one such container alone can run into Rs30,000 to Rs40,000 ($110 to $150), Aslam said, adding to losses from missed deliveries and idle trucks.

Consumer prices rose 10.26pc in September from a year earlier, while the transport price index climbed 27.43pc, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics said on Thursday.

Operators are struggling to pay drivers and maintain their fleets, as international shippers still expect payment regardless of the reason for the delay, Aslam said.

He said he was holding talks to find a solution, but transporters could stage their own protest if complaints go unanswered.

For Pervaiz Khan, 50, the risk was enough to keep a load of chemicals parked in Karachi.

“Right now, my vehicle is loaded, but I am not going,” said the father of five, adding that he had loaded his cargo of chemicals by night.

“We depart from Sindh, and the moment we enter Punjab, that’s when our troubles begin.” Drivers stranded near Islamabad regretted lost days of work or earnings.

“If the roads open, our children’s livelihoods will open up,” said Sagheer Ahmed, 51, who added that his children, awaiting him at home, relied on his earnings. “If not, we will just keep standing.”

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2026

The World Bank group launched the 10-year Country Partnership Framework 2025-35 in January last year, with a total blended financing of about $20bn, involving concessionary and commercial lending facilities. It is now pursuing the implementation phase of the agreed reform agenda.

A bank delegation, led by its country director Bolormaa Amgaabazar, met Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Friday to review progress under the ongoing economic reform partnership, the Ministry of Finance said in a statement.

The delegation discussed implementation priorities across growth, jobs, fiscal management, revenue mobilisation, capital-market development, trade and investment, and institutional reforms.

Calls to expedite GST, agriculture tax harmonisation under $20bn country partnership framework

According to the finance ministry, the meeting reviewed the World Bank’s support for Pakistan’s broader economic reform agenda, with particular emphasis on translating reform priorities into targeted, implementable actions and strengthening coordination among relevant ministries, provincial governments and implementing agencies.

The two sides agreed to move from reform design to effective implementation, focusing on practical measures that can deliver measurable improvements in economic activity, investment, jobs, and the overall business environment, the statement said.

They discussed the proposed World Bank growth and jobs operation, including interventions aimed at improving the investment climate, access to finance, sectoral productivity and labour-market outcomes.

The World Bank outlined proposed measures to support the investment framework, reduce regulatory and business constraints, improve access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and develop export finance products for the EXIM Bank of Pakistan to support incremental trade flows, the statement said.

On sectoral reforms, the World Bank highlighted proposed interventions in pharmaceuticals and medical products, and in agriculture, including improvements to seed registration, deregulation of selected commodities, and strengthening of international accreditations to facilitate participation in international procurement and markets. “The meeting also reviewed initiatives to strengthen skills development and labour-market alignment, including improvements in the national vocational qualifications framework, greater international recognition of skills and development of formal overseas migration pathways supported by digital platforms,” it said.

According to the statement, the finance minister and the World Bank delegation reviewed the implementation of the National Tariff Policy and ongoing analytical support for tariff reforms, including work on the automotive sector and future tariff reforms.

“The discussion emphasised the importance of supporting competitiveness, productivity, investment, exports and Pakistan’s greater integration into global value chains.”

On fiscal and revenue reforms, the meeting reviewed World Bank technical assistance to strengthen tax-policy capacity, including support for the medium-term revenue strategy and revenue-policy modelling, the statement said. It added that discussions also covered general sales tax harmonisation, including greater alignment of rules, definitions and classifications for services, improved federal-provincial coordination and stronger data-sharing arrangements.

The ministry said that the meeting between the two sides also reviewed progress on agricultural income tax reforms, including the implementation of amended provincial laws and rules and of digital systems for registration, filing and payment.

“The importance of strengthening compliance and federal-provincial data sharing was also discussed.”

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2026

Leclerc lapped the 5.543-km circuit with a time of one minute, 37.528 seconds, less than a tenth of a second faster than Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar who improved his lap time on the soft tyres.

McLaren’s reigning world champion Lando Norris was third-fastest in FP2 after finishing 12th in the first session at the Sepang International Circuit, which is hosting the Bahrain race due to the conflict in the Middle East.

Red Bull’s four-times world champion Max Verstappen had dominated the opening session and still held the fastest time of the day (1:37.520) from FP1, but could only manage fourth in the second session as he eyes his first win of the season.

“We started off well. It’s just very high deg (degradation). A lot of things to look at with the tyres,” Verstappen said.

“We tried a few things, but then also the track is hotter, different tyres. In FP1 you’re on softs and then in FP2 I was on mediums, so a bit hard to say if we actually went forward.”

Verstappen won the last Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang in 2017 before it dropped off the F1 calendar, with the government saying it could no longer justify the costs.

Friday’s sessions unfolded under sunny skies, though a dusty start-finish straight created hazy viewing conditions, and teams were relieved to see the rain stay away.

“Today the conditions were very, very poor and so it was very slippery,” Leclerc said.

Lewis Hamilton collected a warning for impeding Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto at turn nine, with Ferrari fined 10,000 euros. Stewards accepted Hamilton’s right-hand mirror was damaged and the team had given him no radio warning.

The seven-time world champion was fifth-fastest while McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who had been 11th in FP1, improved to sixth.

The Mercedes duo of George Russell and Antonelli were seventh and eighth fastest while Liam Lawson and Pierre Gasly completed the top 10.

Russell had been second-fastest in FP1 despite struggling with tyre degradation.

“At the moment, Verstappen is looking the quickest in a single lap and McLaren are looking quickest in the long runs,” Russell said after what deputy principal Bradley Lord said was “probably one of our toughest Fridays of the season so far”.

While Russell appeared to adapt quickly to the circuit he was driving on for the first time in FP1, Antonelli was more than a second off the pace but improved to a little over half a second off the pace in FP2.

The Mercedes duo are separated by 66 points at the top of the championship standings.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2026

Six heads of Arab associations, including Qatar and 2030 World Cup co-hosts Morocco, had previously announced their backing for Infantino in August.

Infantino, who is seeking re-election in March, has faced growing opposition since his bid in July to sell a stake in FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup, which he was forced to abandon.

In a statement issued after its 81st board meeting, UAFA, which represents 22 Arab associations, welcomed FIFA’s recent efforts to strengthen cooperation with national, regional and continental football bodies.

It also offered its support for Infantino, saying the Swiss had “strengthened unity across the global football community”.

The statement comes after the Gulf Football Federation, which represents eight national associations, also publicly backed Infantino on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, the Swiss Football Association became the latest FA to withdraw its support for Infantino’s re-election bid. European football’s governing body UEFA has pledged to present a rival candidate before the November deadline.

Last week, Infantino wrote to FIFA’s 211 member associations proposing an independent review of the governing body’s decision-making processes.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2026