ISLAMABAD: The Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Scheme (K-IV) is facing a massive 975 per cent cost escalation to Rs172 billion and a huge time overrun of over 13 years, even though it is far from completion and the total capacity has been reduced by two-thirds.

Visualised by planners as a future lifeline for the country’s largest metropolis, the project was one of seven development schemes cleared by the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) on Thursday. The total cost of these schemes is estimated at Rs253bn.

The meeting, presided over by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, was informed that the cost of K-IV had increased by 75pc alone since its contracts were awarded in June 2022 for Rs98.5bn, with a reduced carrying capacity of 260 million gallons per day (MGD) from an originally planned 650MGD.

This phase was to be completed by October 2023 under the contract timelines, but is now scheduled for completion by June next year, according to Wapda Chairman Gen Muhammad Saeed.

He told a parliamentary panel on Wednesday that delays were due to financing problems.

The original 650MGD K-IV project was finalised in 2007 at an estimated cost of Rs15.8bn, but the cost was revised to Rs25.5bn in 2014 by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) after inclusion of a 50MW power supply needed for pumping stations and a few bridges and tunnels for the 121km conveyance system for the flow of water from Keenjhar lake to Karachi.

According to a press release, Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal said since the project carried “far-reaching social and economic benefits” for the people of Karachi, the federal government was investing a huge amount of funds for the supply of safe and clean drinking water. The intention is to reduce the financial burden on low-income households and to save them from the tanker mafia, the statement added.

The minister directed the Sindh government to submit a report on synchronisation of all critical project components, particularly the completion timelines for 50MW power supply and distribution network augmentation.

Four projects approved

The CDWP “approved seven development projects” involving a total cost of Rs252.97bn, the statement said. Of these, four projects worth Rs12.43bn were approved by the CDWP, while three major projects, with a cumulative worth of Rs240.53bn, were referred to the Ecnec for further consideration, it added.

The current financial rules empower the CDWP to approve projects costing up to Rs7.5bn, while projects of higher estimated costs are approved by Ecnec on the recommendations of the CDWP.

The CDWP also referred to Ecnec for approval a revised project of the information technology sector, “Establishment of Pakistan Space Centre (PSC)”, sponsored by Suparco, at an estimated cost of Rs37.13bn. Under the proposal, the PSC will develop the country’s indigenous capability for the design, assembly, integration, testing, qualification of satellites and reducing dependence on foreign facilities.

The third project referred to Ecnec for approval was the Rs31.59bn Lahore Water and Waste Water Management Project. The project includes the construction of twin three-km raw water pipelines, a 54 MGD surface water treatment plant, raw water tank and a pumping station.

It also covers the establishment of district metered areas and zones to reduce non-revenue water, installation of feeder mains and water distribution pipelines, bulk flow and consumer water meters, a five megawatt solar power system, and one year of post-completion operation and maintenance.

While reviewing the project, the forum directed the Punjab government to provide an undertaking ensuring the allocation of required annual funding for the project through the provincial Annual Development Programme.

Four projects approved by the CDWP involving a total cost of Rs12.43bn were related to the higher education sector. The first was “Strengthening of the Women University of AJ&K Bagh”, at an estimated cost of Rs2.55bn.

The second project, “Provision of academic facilities at Emerson University, Multan”, is estimated to cost Rs1.04bn.

The CDWP approved the establishment of an Institute of Technology and Management Sciences in Hyderabad at an estimated cost of Rs4.56bn.

The fourth project to win CDWP’s approval was the “Strengthening of Khan Bahadar Choudhry Mushtaq Ahmed College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences)” in Narowal, Ahsan Iqbal’s hometown, at a rationalised cost of Rs4.28bn instead of Rs5.49bn.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2026

The steady expansion of services exports since the start of FY26 contrasts with mixed trends in merchandise shipments.

Data compiled by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics showed that services exports increased to $10.04 billion in FY26, up from $8.45bn in the same period last year.

In rupee terms, services exports climbed 19.33pc to Rs2.815 trillion in FY26 from Rs2.359tr in FY25.

Imports up 5.6pc to $11.9bn driven by transport and travel

On a monthly basis, exports grew by 37.20pc in June to $955.91 million against $696.60m in the same month last year.

The increase was led by telecommunications, computer and information services, which have remained the main contributors in 2025-26.

In FY25, Pakistan’s export of services grew 9.23pc to $8.39bn from $7.68bn in FY24.

According to data compiled by the State Bank of Pakistan, exports of telecommunications, computer, and information services surged 20.42pc to $4.60bn in FY26 from $3.82bn a year ago.

The export of other business services rose 27.22pc to $2.15bn in FY26 as against $1.69bn over the last year. However, exports of transport services decreased by 6.61pc to $933m in FY26 compared with $999m in FY25.

Exports of travel services grew 52.74pc to $1.115bn during the year under review, up from $730m a year ago.

At the same time, the import of services rose by 5.67pc to $11.93bn in FY26 against $11.29bn in the preceding fiscal year.

In June, imports of services grew 3.48pc to $932.81m from $901.40m in the corresponding month last year.

The transport sector accounted for the largest share of service imports in FY26, with its value rising to $4.88bn from $4.69bn in the preceding year, refle­cting growth of 4.05pc.

The second-highest share came from travel services, which surged to $2.91bn during the year under review, compared to $2.41bn in FY25 — marking a significant increase of 20.74pc.

The trade deficit in services narrowed by 33.38pc to $1.894bn in FY26, down from $2.843bn in the preceding year.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2026

The SBP has reviewed the prevailing mechanism for reporting PPB sale transactions and decided to make changes to it.

“The settlement mechanism will involve reporting of sale transactions of PPBs through DAP (Data Acquisition Portal) as per the prescribed timelines,” said the circular.

The SBP Banking Services Corporation (SBP BSC) will debit the account of the bank based on the amount of sale reported by the bank concerned on a daily basis.

“Any bank failing to settle the proceeds of sale transactions on the same day shall be liable to pay use of funds for the period of delay, calculated at the SBP overnight reverse repo (ceiling) rate prevailing on each day during such period,” said the circular.

The SBP said the Karachi office will be responsible for calculation and recovery of use of funds from the bank by debiting their account per contra credit to Central (Non-Food) Account.

Additionally, in cases where profit or prize money is paid erroneously due to non-reporting, delayed reporting, or misreporting of sale or encashment or transfer transactions by a commercial bank, the concerned bank will be liable for the gross amount so wrongly paid, subject to adjustment of income tax, if so possible, said the circular.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2026

On a consolidated basis, PBT and PAT stood at Rs58.8bn and Rs28.1bn, respectively.

The bank’s board of directors, in its meeting chaired by Mian Mohammad Mansha, reviewed and approved financial statements for the half year, reflecting resilient performance supported by strong fundamentals, disciplined execution, and balance sheet strength amid a challenging macroeconomic environment.

The board declared a second interim cash dividend of Rs9 per share (90 per cent), taking the cumulative cash dividend for 2026 to Rs18.00 per share (180pc).

Total income for the half year stood at Rs93.9bn, reflecting a 6pc year-on-year increase. The improvement was primarily driven by net markup income, which rose to Rs75.3bn (1H2025: Rs71.3bn), supported by a higher low-cost deposit base and effective yield optimisation despite the relatively lower average policy rate compared to last year.

Non-markup income rose to Rs18.7bn (1H2025: Rs17.5bn), representing a 7pc year-on-year increase. Fee and commission income increased by 21pc year-on-year to Rs11.9bn, supported by sustained momentum in the bank’s digital banking franchise and higher transaction volumes.

Within this segment, card-related income increased by 13pc, branch banking fee income rose by 5pc on the back of improved customer engagement and cross-selling initiatives, while consumer banking fee income recorded a robust 27pc increase, reflecting higher customer activity and greater uptake of consumer financing products.

Foreign exchange income and dividend income further contributed Rs4.1bn and Rs2.1bn, respectively, to the non-markup income base.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2026

Brent crude futures gained $3.09, or 3.89pc, to $82.54 a barrel by 12:37pm EDT. US West Texas Intermediate futures rose $2.49, or 3.31pc, to $77.71.

An Iranian lawmaker said a parliament committee is reviewing a preliminary bill to ban US, Israeli and other vessels deemed hostile from the Strait of Hormuz, and fine violators of the proposed restrictions up to 20pc of cargo value, according to Fars news agency.

“Crude traders remain focused on the US-Iran agreements, and the longer the delays, the more prices will fade back to the upside,” said Dennis Kissler, senior vice president of trading at BOK Financial.

Crude price gains 3.3pc after Iran mulls banning US, Israeli vessels

Before the Iran conflict began in late February, about one-fifth of global daily oil and liquefied natural gas supplies flowed through the Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, Yemen’s Houthis said they carried out missile and drone attacks on “Saudi deployments” in Marib and Hadramout in Yemen on Thursday, and that they killed or wounded hundreds of Saudi-aligned fighters, and destroyed military camps, weapons depots and vehicles.

“The market is going up and down as tensions rise and fall and of course these attacks are a significant development because it is more activity in the other theatre, away from the Persian Gulf, and is a reminder that the Red Sea passageway could still be in jeopardy,” said John Kilduff, partner at Again Capital.

Gulf countries’ crude oil and condensate exports were largely steady in July and remained about 40pc below pre-war levels, shipping data showed.

Iran has warned Gulf states that any new US attack on its territory would trigger retaliation against critical energy infrastructure across the region, according to five sources, as Tehran seeks to raise the cost of military action by threatening Washington’s closest regional allies.

The Iran-aligned Houthis said on Wednesday they had launched a missile attack on a Saudi oil tanker off the coast of the kingdom’s Red Sea port city of Yanbu and another missile attack on a Saudi oil tanker in the nearby Gulf of Aden. There was no confirmation from Saudi Arabia on either incident.

“Houthi attacks so far have not significantly disrupted oil and gas supply but this might change if attacks escalate further,” said Roberto Cominotto, equity research analyst at Julius Baer.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2026

Under STGO 16 of 2026, only 31 manufacturers — out of more than 200 steel producers operating in Pakistan — have been recognised as meeting the prescribed documentation, scrap consumption, and FBR integration requirements.

PALSP Secretary General Syed Wajid Bukhari said these manufacturers will be charged sales tax at the reduced rate of Rs5 per electricity unit, compared with Rs30 for local-scrap-based production and Rs35 per unit for captive or self-generated power.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2026

As energy needs continue to grow, this new storage tank enhances the reliability of fuel supply for customers, including along major travel routes to the country’s tourism destinations.

The ceremony was at­­t­ended by representatives from Ogra and Wafi Ener­gy’s team.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2026

The SBP’s forex holdings rose by $13 million to $17.043bn. The primary source of inflows is the interbank currency market, where the SBP regularly buys dollars to improve its reserves. The banks’ holdings stood at $5.431bn during the week.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2026

Topline Securities Ltd said the broad-based buying pushed the index back above the 181,000 level on easing geopolitical concerns and renewed institutional participation.

The index closed at 181,776.60, up 1,761.66 points, or 0.98 per cent. It traded within an intraday range of 180,626 to 182,007.

The market has now recovered nearly 4,700 points over the past two sessions, reversing a significant share of the losses recorded earlier this week. The sharp rebound was fuelled by improving risk appetite as concerns over Middle East tensions eased, and lower oil price volatility encouraged buying in cyclical sectors.

Index settles above 181,000 after gaining 1,762 points

Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Ltd, said the market remained buoyant throughout the session, with investors continuing to strengthen their positions at attractive levels. Growing optimism about the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz kept international oil prices under pressure, supporting overall market sentiment.

On the corporate front, Faysal Bank Ltd reported 2QCY26 profit after tax (PAT) of Rs5bn, translating into earnings per share (EPS) of Rs3.30, broadly flat year-on-year, and announced an interim dividend of Rs1.5 per share. Meezan Bank posted PAT of Rs25.8bn (EPS: Rs14.32), up 5pc year-on-year, and declared a Rs8 per share dividend.

United Bank, Mari Ene­rgies, Fauji Fertiliser, Lu­­cky Cement, Bank Al-Ha­bib, MCB Bank, Engro Ho­­ldings, Maple Leaf Cem­ent Factory, Habib Bank, and Hub Power emerged as the top contributors, collectively adding 1,034 points to the benchmark.

Market activity remained healthy, with traded volume rising 7.12pc to 793.3 million shares and total turnover value increasing 12.26pc to Rs40.3bn. Bank of Punjab topped the volume chart with 66 million shares traded.

Analysts expect improving geopolitical conditions, softer international oil prices, and encouraging corporate earnings to keep investor sentiment positive. However, progress in US-Iran nego-tiations will remain the key catalyst for market direction.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is set to embark on a major transformation of its policing system, with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announcing a series of reforms inspired by successful international law enforcement models, including the establishment of a China-style Law Enforcement Investigation Centre in Islamabad.

The announcement came during his meeting with assistant superintendents of police who recently returned after completing specialised training courses in China and Turkiye.

The officers described overseas programmes as an invaluable experience that significantly enhanced their professional capabilities and exposed them to modern policing practices, surveillance technologies, and contemporary approaches to maintaining law and order.

Acknowledging the importance of international exposure, Naqvi declared that foreign training programmes would become a permanent component of the professional development of Pakistani police officers. He emphasised that the government was committed to equipping the country’s law enforcement agencies with the skills and technologies required to address emerging security challenges.

As part of the reforms, the interior minister announced the launch of a pilot project to establish a China-style Law Enforcement Investigation Centre in Islamabad.

The centre will integrate detention, investigation and summary trial facilities under one roof, enabling the swift and efficient disposal of cases involving minor offences while reducing procedural delays.

Naqvi said the country would benefit from internationally proven policing models to make its law-enforcement system more effective, responsive, and technology-driven.

He stressed that the adoption of advanced surveillance systems and modern technologies would significantly expand monitoring capabilities and strengthen crime prevention efforts.

To further enhance public safety, the interior minister announced that modern drones would be inducted into the Aviation Wing of the Ministry of Interior to improve surveillance and support law enforcement operations.

The reform agenda also includes strengthening investigative capacity through the establishment of specialised investigation rooms at the National Police Academy.

According to the interior minister, greater emphasis will be placed on specialised investigation training aligned with the evolving requirements of modern policing.

He further announced that interrogations would be introduced as a specialised academic subject within police training, with modern interrogation techniques based on the practices of developed countries becoming an integral part of the curriculum.

In another key initiative, Naqvi revealed plans to introduce new police uniforms designed to better meet the operational requirements of law-enforcement personnel, reflecting the practical demands of contemporary policing.

During the meeting, the ASPs shared their observations on advanced policing systems in China and Turkiye, highlighting the effective use of surveillance technologies, modern equipment, digital tools, and public security management practices that could be adapted to Pakistan’s policing framework.

The Commandant of the National Police Academy, the Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and other senior officials also attended the meeting.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2026

The interview came a day after the PTI marked three years since Mr Khan was imprisoned on Aug 5, 2023, for concealing details of Toshakhana gifts.

In the CNN interview, Kasim and Sulaiman said they had “no updates because his [Imran’s] family, doctors [and] lawyers haven’t been allowed to see him for seven months”.

“We’ve been more in the dark than we’ve ever been throughout his incarceration,” Kasim said, while referring to the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) order allowing them to speak to their father by phone every two weeks.

The brothers claimed that each time they spoke to the media about their father, the Pakistani authorities made it harder for them to see him by allegedly delaying their visas or bogging them down with other administrative issues.

“We’re trying, we’d like to go, but nothing’s coming through,” Kasim said. “There’s no reason we sho­uldn’t be granted a visa.”

Asked whether there was a possibility of their father reaching a “deal with the government”, the brothers said they thought it was unlikely.

CNN also quoted the information ministry as saying that both had Nicop cards, meaning they did not require visas to enter Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2026

A press release issued by the PMDC said: “On the directions of the honourable prime minister of Pakistan, PMDC hereby informs all candidates, parents, educational institutions and other stakeholders that the MDCAT, previously scheduled to be held on Aug 16, has been rescheduled to Sept 20.”

It said that the decision was taken to ensure the “smooth, secure and transparent conduct of the examination while facilitating all candidates”.

“All other terms, conditions and examination arrangements shall remain unchanged unless notified otherwise,” it added.

IT advised candidates to regularly visit the official PMDC website and official communication channels for further updates and instructions.

The statement also said it “appreciates the understanding and cooperation of all stakeholders and regrets any inconvenience caused.”

Passing the MDCAT is mandatory for admission to medical and dental colleges in Pakistan. Every year up to 200,000 candidates appear in the test and around 25,000 of them secure seats in public sector and private medical and dental colleges.

Earlier this week, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) health secretary had met PMDC officials and highlighted the difficulties being faced by students in completing their MDCAT registration due to the prolonged internet shutdown in the region.

PMDC officials had vowed to provide all possible facilitation to the candidates. Last month, a subcommittee of the Senate Standing Committee on Health expressed concern over increasing complaints regarding the conduct of the MDCAT and its scheduled date.

During the meeting, PMDC officials informed lawmakers that around 135,000 candidates were expected to sit the examination, while Senator Anusha Rahman said the committee had received around 1,000 complaints from students.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Realising the plight of a foreign national married to a Pakistani woman, the Supreme Court on Thursday regretted that his ordeal had turned into punitive incarceration simply because administrative delays had prevented the determination of his legal status despite explicit judicial directions.

“Ignoring judicial directions and penalising a foreign husband while his application for determination of his legal status remains pending before administrative authorities converts executive processing delays into punitive incarceration,” observed Justice Muhammad Hashim Khan Kakar.

Headed by Justice Kakar, a two-judge Supreme Court bench had taken up a criminal petition challenging the May 11, 2026, order of the Peshawar High Court (PHC), which had rejected the post-arrest bail plea of the petitioner, Jalat Khan, an Afghan national by origin.

Setting aside the PHC order, the SC granted post-arrest bail to the petitioner, who had been residing within the jurisdiction of Police Station Nawagai in Bajaur district without a valid visa or residence permit. He had been arrested under Section 14 of the Foreigners Act, 1946.

According to the record, the petitioner had contracted a valid marriage with a Pakistani woman, Tasleem Bibi, through a registered nikahnama on May 1, 1994.

Following the marriage, the petitioner applied for a Pakistan Origin Card (POC). He also filed a constitutional petition before the PHC, seeking the issuance of a domicile certificate and a National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP), or, alternatively, registration as a citizen of Pakistan under Section 10 of the Pakistan Citizenship Act, 1951.

Appearing on behalf of the petitioner before the SC, Advocate Jalaluddin argued that the petitioner’s continued stay in Pakistan while awaiting the federal government’s decision on his legal status could not be treated as an offence attracting penal consequences under the Foreigners Act.

On the other hand, Additional Advocate General Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bashar Naveed contended that marriage to a Pakistani woman did not ipso facto confer Pakistani citizenship or exempt a foreign national from the regulatory framework of the Foreigners Act.

He argued that the offence under Section 14 of the Act continued to apply as long as the petitioner remained in Pakistan without lawful authority.

While deciding the matter, Justice Kakar observed that the first information report (FIR) contained no allegation that the petitioner had entered Pakistan illegally.

“The case against him rests entirely upon his continued presence following administrative changes regarding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards and subsequent executive notifications,” the judgement noted.

Justice Kakar further observed that Section 10 of the Pakistan Citizenship Act, 1951, historically provided a statutory route to citizenship for foreign women marrying Pakistani men but did not extend the same benefit to foreign men marrying Pakistani women.

The judgement recalled that this gender-based disparity had been addressed by the Federal Shariat Court (FSC) in a suo motu case, in which it held that Section 10 was discriminatory, violated the principle of gender equality, contravened Articles 2A and 25 of the Constitution, conflicted with Pakistan’s international commitments, and, most importantly, was repugnant to the injunctions of the Holy Quran and Sunnah.

Referring to the facts of the present case, Justice Kakar observed that the petitioner was a foreign husband married to Ms Tasleem Bibi, a Pakistani citizen by birth, through a registered nikahnama.

Concluding the matter, the SC set aside the PHC order and granted post-arrest bail to the petitioner, subject to his furnishing bail bonds of Rs20,000 along with two sureties in the like amount to the satisfaction of the trial court.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2026

According to a press rel­ease by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), a high-level defence delegation from Somalia called on the CDF at General He­­adquarters in Rawalpindi.

The delegation was led by Somalia’s Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, the ISPR said.

CDF Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to “supporting Somalia in strengthening its security apparatus and fostering en­­during peace in the reg­ion”, the statement added.

During the meeting, “matters of mutual interest, regional security dynamics, and measures to further enhance bilateral defence and security cooperation were discussed”, it said, adding that both sides underscored the importance of “deepening military-to-military ties and capacity building initiatives to counter common security challenges”.

The visiting dignitary appreciated Pakistan’s steadfast support and the professional role played by the Pakistan armed forces in promoting regional peace and stability, the ISPR said.

The previous day, the naval and air force chiefs reaffirmed Pakistan’s com­mitment to strengthening defence ties with Somalia and supporting institutional cooperation with its air force in separate meetings with the Somali delegation, the military’s media wing said on Wednesday.

At the meeting at Naval Headquarters with Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, the leaders discussed “key matters of mutual professio­nal int­erest and regional maritime se­­curity”.

Meanwhile, in a meeting with Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu at Air Headquarters, discussions focused on bilateral defence cooperation, professional collaboration and capacity building, the statement said.

The Somali defence mi­­nister lauded the Pakistan Navy’s contributions to regional maritime security, alongside PAF’s professionalism and operational capabilities.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2026

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has rejected petitions filed by a former general of the erstwhile Afghan National Army and a special agent of the former Afghan Presidential Protective Service (PPS), along with their families, seeking protection against their imminent arrest and deportation by law enforcement agencies.

A bench comprising Justices Wiqar Ahmad and Kamran Hayat Miankhel dismissed two almost identical petitions filed by former general Baryalai Sharifi and former PPS special agent Abdul Mujeeb Ghairat and their family members. They had approached the court fearing persecution by the Taliban government in Afghanistan if deported.

The counsel for Mr Sharifi submitted that his clients were Afghan nationals who had entered Pakistan on valid visas.

He claimed that Mr Sharifi had served as a general in the former Afghan National Army (Milli Urdu) and that he and his family had received threats from the present Afghan regime.

He added that Mr Sharifi’s wife had served as an assistant doctor in the PPS of the former Afghan government, while his son claimed to have worked as a training camp guard in the same service.

The counsel further stated that Mr Sharifi had approached the Society for Human Rights and Prisoners’ Aid (SHARP) for pre-screening in connection with an international protection and resettlement process, and apprehended that the petitioners might be arrested or deported from Pakistan.

‘Mere apprehension’

“The petitioners have not challenged any specific order, notification or action of the respondents adversely affecting their legal or fundamental rights,” the bench observed in its four-page written order.

“The entire case rests upon a mere apprehension that they may, in future, be subjected to arrest, detention or deportation. Such speculative apprehension, without any concrete cause of action or demonstrated violation of law, does not furnish a valid ground for invoking the extraordinary constitutional jurisdiction of this court under Article 199 of the Constitution,” it added.

The court observed that “matters relating to the stay of foreign nationals in Pakistan, grant, extension or cancellation of visas, and their immigration status are governed by the relevant statutory framework and fall within the exclusive domain of the competent executive authorities”.

“Any request for international protection, refugee processing or resettlement through SHARP, UNHCR or any third country does not, by itself, create an enforceable legal right against the respondents capable of being enforced through a constitutional petition,” it held.

Similarly, in the case of Mr Ghairat, counsel submitted that the petitioner and his family were residing in Pakistan on valid visas and had applied online for their renewal.

He stated that Mr Ghairat had served as a special agent in the former PPS, an elite US-trained security unit responsible for the close protection of the then Afghan president.

The counsel argued that owing to his previous service under the former Afghan government, Mr Ghairat and his family would face danger if returned to Afghanistan.

He contended that in view of the ongoing action against certain Afghan nationals, the petitioners feared arrest and deportation despite their claimed lawful stay in Pakistan.

“The questions relating to the petitioners’ right to remain in Pakistan, renewal or extension of visas, or their immigration status fall within the exclusive domain of the competent executive authorities under the relevant immigration and foreigner laws,” the bench observed.

“In the absence of any unlawful action, refusal of a statutory request, or infringement of a vested legal right, no writ can be issued directing the respondents to grant protection or confer a legal status upon the petitioners.”

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2026

QUETTA: Opposition parties in Balochistan on Thursday called for the dissolution of the provincial assembly and the holding of free, fair, and transparent elections, arguing that only a genuinely elected government could address the province’s worsening security and political crises.

Addressing a joint press conference at the Quetta Press Club after an all parties meeting, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) Balochistan chief Senator Maulana Abdul Wasey, National Party President Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, and Awami National Party (ANP) Balochistan President Asghar Khan Achakzai announced that political parties were moving towards forming a united alliance to restore peace and democratic governance in the province.

They said an All Parties Conference (APC), to be led by JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, would be convened in September, with representatives from all schools of thought invited to participate. Another preparatory meeting would be held on September 5 at the National Party office.

Maulana Wasey urged the government to immediately implement the agreement reached after the Ziarat incident and resolve provincial issues through dialogue instead of force. He maintained that Balochistan’s challenges were political in nature and required political solutions, warning that the exclusion of mainstream political parties had further aggravated the situation. He reiterated that the “Form-47 system” had failed and called for democratic reforms.

The opposition leaders expressed concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in the province, stating that highways linking Quetta with Karachi and other provinces had become unsafe, disrupting travel and livelihoods. They demanded effective measures to restore security across Balochistan.

Dr Baloch said opposition parties would jointly struggle for a peaceful Balochistan and vowed to protect the 18th Constitutional Amendment and the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award from any attempt to roll them back.

Asghar Achakzai condemned the recent killings in Khuzdar, saying the government had failed to protect citizens. He stressed that the unity of Baloch, Pakhtun, Hazara, and settler communities must not be undermined. He added that the emerging political alliance would also consider contesting future elections jointly.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2026

Aamir Dogar, the PTI’s Chief Whip, met National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on Thursday. The meeting was also attended by Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Dr Fazal said the government had once again offered talks at the venue proposed by PTI within Parliament House. “The ball is now in PTI’s court,” he said, expressing hope that the opposition would respond positively.

He recalled that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had earlier offered dialogue to the opposition, but PTI had not responded.

Aamir Dogar meets NA speaker, minister in Parliament House

He said negotiations were the only way to resolve political issues.

PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram, while talking to Dawn, confirmed the meeting but said the situation was not as simple as presented by the government.

He claimed the National Assembly session was scheduled to begin on Aug 7, but PTI had not received any formal intimation regarding it. He added that Aamir Dogar approached the National Assembly Secretariat to inquire why the party had not been informed about the session.

According to Mr Akram, the secretariat informed Mr Dogar that the NA session had been delayed until Aug 17, alleging that the government did not want to bring the ongoing tensions and allegations between the PML-N and PPP into parliament.

He said the National Assembly Secretariat later informed Mr Dogar that Speaker Sadiq wanted to meet him. During the meeting, the speaker also invited Dr Fazal and conveyed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had twice offered dialogue, but PTI did not respond.

Mr Akram said PTI made it clear that negotiations could not take place unless a conducive environment was created. He said the party had demanded permission for meetings with Imran Khan and access to his personal doctors. “Otherwise, we cannot sit with the government merely for photo sessions,” he added.

He said the speaker also suggested that PTI join parliamentary standing committees; however, the party conveyed that any decision on the matter would be taken by Imran Khan.

Mr Akram said the government now had to respond positively if it wanted negotiations to move forward.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2026

Addressing a party gathering at the Quetta Press Club, he said the NP has sent a set of proposals to the federal government and if these proposals are implemented, the situation in the province would improve.

He said the proposals include recognition of the Balochistan people’s right to self-governance in the province, non-interference in the election process, ensuring free and fair election, permanent resolution of the issue of all missing persons of Balochistan and an end to practice of enforced disappearances and dumping of mutilated bodies.

He said the proposals also include unconditional release of Dr Mahrang Baloch and all her associates.

He said unemployed youth of the province should be provided jobs on merit and Balochistan’s quota of employment in federal government departments and corporations should be implemented transparently.

“The people of Balochistan should be granted authority over their coastal resources as well as natural wealth,” the NP leader said, adding that instead of amending the 1973 Constitution and the 18th Constitutional Amendment, they should be implemented in letter and spirit.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2026

Speaking at a Police Martyrs’ Day ceremony, he said Balochistan is a sensitive province facing various security challenges, but police officers and personnel of the province played a key role in establishing peace through their professional skills and courage.

The minister announced that Balochistan police will be equipped with modern weapons and equipment to meet future challenges.

Praising services of the policemen who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty, the minister said that all possible steps will be taken for the welfare of these policemen’s families.

Speaking on the occasion, IG Police of Balochistan, Muhammad Tahir, said the province’s peace and stability have been secured through the sacrifices of 1,195 police officers and personnel who embraced martyrdom in the line of duty.

“These unsung heroes gave their blood so that we may live with dignity. Death is inevitable, but our resolve remains firm to crush the enemies of innocent people and their nefarious designs,” he said.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2026

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Thursday insisted that Pakistan remained actively engaged in efforts to defuse the Strait of Hormuz stand-off, while also examining the terms of reference and operational modalities of a newly announced Saudi-led multinational maritime coalition aimed at protecting shipping routes in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

The Foreign Office acknowledged that different regional partners, particularly Oman, were taking the lead on different aspects of the diplomatic process. It portrayed Islamabad’s role as part of a coordinated effort by “brotherly states” to steer the crisis back towards the framework established under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

“Pakistan remains engaged alongside other brotherly states in sincere efforts to resolve the crisis in the Gulf and the Middle East, especially with respect to the stand-off in the Strait of Hormuz,” Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir And­rabi said at the weekly media briefing.

He explained that the current phase of diplomacy involved a division of responsibilities among regional actors.

“Pakistan is playing the role. We remain engaged with the parties. Obviously, on certain issues, there are countries that take the lead, and on certain other issues, there are other countries that take the lead,” he said.

The remarks came as Oman assumed the lead role in negotiations with Iran over the future management of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a process mandated under Article 5 of the Islamabad MoU signed between Tehran and Washington in June.

That provision required Iran to ensure temporary toll-free passage for commercial shipping before entering into negotiations with Oman and other Gulf littoral states on the future administration of navigation, maritime services and related arrangements.

High-level Iranian-Omani talks began days after the MoU was signed and have since evolved into a series of technical and political consultations on shipping routes, maritime services, cost-sharing and other operational issues.

Iranian officials this week said substantial progress had been achieved, including agreement on the geographical coordinates of a proposed shipping route, although differences over operational control, service charges and related matters continued to be discussed.

Seeking to place Pakistan’s role within that broader diplomatic effort, Mr Andrabi said: “Overall — if you look at the comprehensive efforts undertaken by Pakistan, Qatar and other brotherly countries, you will see a very coordinated and concerted facilitation process. This was particularly on the Strait of Hormuz.”

He drew a distinction between Pakistan’s role during periods of acute crisis and its longer-term engagement in the overall diplomatic process.

“You need to understand that the Strait of Hormuz was a stand-off, and in such a stand-off, dialogue was essentially the paradigm of facilitating a settlement,” he said.

“Mediation is a more long-term process. The question of mediation comes when you are addressing issues that require persistent deliberations over a period of time, as, for example, the events leading up to the Islamabad MoU, the Pakistan-Qatar Joint Statement and the technical-level talks that it envisages,” he added.

The explanation appeared aimed at underscoring that while Oman, as one of the two littoral states bordering the strait, now occupies the central role in negotiating its future management, Pakistan continues to view itself as an integral participant in the diplomatic effort that produced the Islamabad MoU and the subsequent implementation framework agreed with Qatar.

Reaffirming Islamabad’s continued engagement, Mr Andrabi said: “Pakistan remains engaged, and, as I said, this is a concerted teamwork and coordinated effort from the brotherly countries, including Pakistan. We value the partnership of our brotherly countries in this regard.”

“We will continue these peace efforts in concert with our brotherly countries and partner countries,” he added.

The spokesperson also suggested that Pakistan’s immediate focus remained on securing implementation of a political understanding rather than becoming involved in negotiations over specific manifestations of the crisis, including the blockade and attacks on commercial shipping.

On a question about the Strait of Hormuz blockade, he said, “We are more engaged with the settlement and less so with terms of the crises. The blockade is one facet or symptom of the crisis. Once the agreement is reached and implemented, these symptoms of the crisis, either blockade or accidental/voluntary attacks on maritime traffic, will obviously take care of themselves. So, therefore, the agreement is important, and this is where our focus is.”

Saudi-led maritime coalition

Mr Andrabi told the weekly media briefing that the Saudi-led multinational maritime coalition remained at an evolving stage and the government was consulting military authorities before taking any decision.

“Regarding this maritime security arrangement (announced by Saudi Arabia), the process is evolving. We are seeing what the terms of reference will be and how this security arrangement will function,” he said.

“We are in touch with our Naval Headquarters and the military authorities on this issue, and on how these modalities will work out,” he maintained, adding that the coalition’s eventual composition also remained uncertain.

Saudi Arabia announced the coalition on July 30 following a meeting in Riyadh attended by military representatives from 43 countries.

Conceived as a collective maritime security framework for the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, the alliance seeks to safeguard commercial shipping and energy routes against escalating threats, particularly after Yemen’s Houthi rebels declared a maritime blockade against Saudi shipping and subsequently claimed attacks on commercial vessels.

Pakistan was among the founding endorsers of the initiative, reflecting its long-standing strategic partnership with Riyadh, although the Foreign Office comments indicated that Islamabad was still assessing the alliance’s practical framework before determining the extent of its participation.

Saudi authorities maintain that the arrangement is purely defensive, operates in accordance with international law and leaves participation in operational activities to the sovereign discretion of member states.

Its activities are expected to include intelligence sharing, joint exercises, capacity building and coordinated maritime security operations.

The spokesperson’s remarks came as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif departed for Saudi Arabia on a three-day official visit. Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir is also expected to join him.

Saudi Arabia on Thursday also appointed Rear Admiral Abdullah bin Salem Al-Shehri as the first commander of the coalition, completing its initial leadership structure ahead of a planners’ meeting scheduled for Aug 12 and 13 that is expected to finalise operational arrangements and facilitate additional accessions.

Islamabad also indicated that it would decide on joining the proposed International Stabilisation Force for Gaza only after receiving a formal proposal, suggesting that discussions on Pakistan’s possible contribution remained at a preliminary stage.

Responding to a question, the spokesperson said: “As regards future peacekeeping, peace-enforcement or peace-making forces in Gaza, I think that question is a bit premature. When a proposal or a proposition to that effect is presented before us, a decision will be taken accordingly.”

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2026

ISLAMABAD: The federal government is considering notifying the appointment and confirmation of high court judges despite President Asif Ali Zardari not having formally accorded assent to the recommendations made by the Judicial Commission of Pakis­tan (JCP), sources told Dawn.

The JCP, during its meetings held on July 20 and 21, recommended the appointment of 19 additional judges to the high courts, confirmed the services of four additional judges of the Peshawar High Court and one additional judge of the Lahore High Court, and extended the tenure of an additional judge of the Sindh High Court by six months.

However, the appointments have yet to be notified by the Ministry of Law and Justice as the president has not formally approved the summary.

According to informed sources, the government is examining the possibility of invoking Article 48(1) of the Constitution to issue the notification, arguing that the president was required to act on the summary within a fortnight of its submission.

Since that period has expired, they believe the government may proceed with the appointments.

The sources said the delay had already created practical complications.

Four additional judges of the Peshawar High Court, whose services were confirmed by the JCP, ceased to hold office after the exp­iry of their tenure on Aug 4 due to the absence of a formal notification.

Similarly, an additional judge of the Sindh High Court, whose tenure had been extended by the JCP for another six months, also relinquished office after his term expired on July 29.

When contacted, Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik said the government would resolve the matter within the constitutional framework and in accordance with the procedure prescribed by the Constitution and the principles laid down by the superior courts.

However, sources in the Presidency cautioned against bypassing the prescribed procedure, warning that any such move could trigger political and legal complications.

They said Articles 48(1) and 48(2), which define the respective constitutional roles of the president and the prime minister, as well as Article 175A(8), which deals with the appointment of judges, left room for differing interpretations.

According to Presidency sou­rces, any ambiguity should be resolved through mutual consultation between the president and the prime minister rather than through unilateral action.

On the other hand, government sources maintained that judicial appointments were governed by constitutional provisions and that any deadlock must be resolved strictly in accordance with the Constitution.

IHC reserves verdict on plea

The Islamabad High Court reserved its verdict on the maintainability of a plea challenging President Zardari’s delay in approving a summary for the appointment and confirmation of judges to various high courts.

The writ petition, filed by advocate Luqman Zafar Chaudhary through his counsel Zahid Asif Chaudhry, urged the court to direct the president to approve the summary forwarded by the prime minister for the judicial appointments recommended by the JCP.

Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir took up the plea on Thursday, with the petitioner’s counsel arguing that the JCP had recommended the appointments during its meetings on July 20 and 21.

He contended that the summary had reportedly not been approved by the president even after 15 days had passed.

The petitioner’s counsel told the court that reports suggested the government might issue notifications for the appointments in the next 48 hours.

During the hearing, the contents of his client’s plea were also read out on the court’s direction, and Justice Tahir repeatedly questioned whether a constitutional petition could be maintained against the president.

He asked the counsel to cite any precedent in which a writ had been issued against the president.

The court also observed that the judgements cited by the petitioner did not support the proposition advanced by his counsel for issuing directives to the president.

The court asked the lawyer to identify any decision in which a court had issued directions to the president regarding the exercise of powers under Article 48 of the Constitution.

Article 48 states that the president shall act “on and in accordance with the advice of the cabinet or the prime minister”. However, it adds that the president can ask the cabinet or the PM to reconsider the advice within 15 days of receiving it and shall act in accordance with the advice tendered after reconsideration within 10 days.

Sources in the Presidency have contended that the provision also empowered the president and did not set a timeframe for appointments. They cited its second clause, which states: “The president shall act in his discretion in respect of any matter in respect of which he is empowered by the Constitution to do so.”

However, legal experts have noted that the SC had previously held that the president lacked discretion in appointing superior court judges and must follow the PM’s advice.

The petitioner’s lawyer argued that notifications for judicial appointments were usually issued by the law ministry after the president’s approval, but the ministry could issue them even without presidential assent.

He contended that the president’s role in the process was ceremonial and that if approval was withheld, the competent authority should proceed with issuing the notification. After hearing his arguments, the court dec­lined the request to issue notices at this stage and rese­rved its decision on the maintainability of the petition.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2026

Although Chief of Defe­nce Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir did not accompany the prime minister, he is expected to join the premier in Saudi Arabia later for important meetings.

On his arrival at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, the prime minister was rece­ived by Deputy Governor of the Makkah region Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, and Mini­ster for Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Abdul­mohsen Al-Fadhli.

An official in the Prime Minister’s Office told Dawn that soon after arriving in Makkah, the prime minister and his delegation would perform Umrah and meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Friday (today).

PM Shehbaz will also visit Masjid al-Nabawi (PBUH) in Madina.

In a post on X, the government said the premier had left for Saudi Arabia at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi are also accompanying the premier on the visit.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who is currently in Saudi Arabia after concluding a visit to Jordan, will also be part of the delegation.

Earlier, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir And­rabi announced the visit during a weekly briefing.

“During the visit, the prime minister will meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and discussions will focus on consolidating the Pakistan-Saudi bilateral relationship and exchange views on areas of regional and international developments of mutual interests,” he said.

He said the visit marked Pakistan’s “long-standing partnership” with Saudi Arabia, which he described as “anchored in decades of mutual trust, cooperation and brotherhood”.

Mr Andrabi noted that while the visit was taking place amid heightened tensions in the Gulf, “it will carry immense significance beyond the immediate crisis and short-term considerations”.

He said the visit would “further strengthen bilateral relations, deepen strategic cooperation, enhance coordination on regional and international issues of mutual interest and also reinforce multilateral cooperation”.

An official statement regarding the visit was also issued shortly afterwards.

The premier had last visited Saudi Arabia in April, where he met the kingdom’s top leadership.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will also pay a one-day visit to Saudi Arabia today, where he is expected to meet PM Shehbaz and the Saudi crown prince, Anadolu Agency reported.

As the Middle East conflict has expanded onto new fronts, Saudi Arabia has unveiled plans for a multinational maritime defence coalition to protect shipping and energy supply routes in the Red Sea. Fourteen countries, including Pakistan, have voiced support for the coalition.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2026

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the “high-tempo” operations were carried out as part of the Radul Fitna counterterrorism campaign against Fitna al-Hindustan in Balochistan.

Balochistan-based terrorist groups have been designated as Fitna al-Hindustan by the state to highlight India’s alleged role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan.

The ISPR said security forces detected the movement of six terrorists in Washuk district on Aug 5 and effectively engaged them.

‘High-tempo’ operations carried out under Radul Fitna campaign, says ISPR

“As a result of precise and skilful engagement, all six terrorists belonging to Indian proxy Fitna al-Hindustan were sent to hell,” the ISPR said.

The military’s media wing said six more terrorists were killed during an operation in Mastung district on Thursday after an intense exchange of fire between security forces and terrorists. A terrorist hideout was also destroyed during the operation, the ISPR said.

“Under vision Azm-i-Istehkam (as approved by the Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan), security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” the statement said.

Last week, eight terrorists bel­onging to Fitna al-Hindustan were killed after an “intense engagement” in Balochistan’s Nushki district during multiple intelligence-based operations, the ISPR said.

“Weapons, ammunition and improvised explosive devices used by terrorists were also recovered and destroyed during the operations,” it added.

In July, security forces and law enforcement personnel jointly lau­nched Operation Shaban in Balo­chistan in retaliation for a deadly attack on a police post at the Mangi Dam pumping station in Ziarat on July 6. During that assa­ult, armed attackers kidnapped and killed 27 police officers.

Security forces later launched Operation Al-Azm in the province after a shooting on a Karachi-bound coach coming from Quetta claimed three lives and injured five others last week.

A monthly security assessment released in early June by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies said that after two consecutive months of improvement, Pakistan’s security situation deteriorated sharply in May, driven mainly by escalating terrorist violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

The report said Balochistan emerged as the most affected province during the month. The province recorded 71 terrorist attacks in May compared to 34 in April, representing a 109 per cent increase.

The deteriorating security situation was further reflected in a surge in kidnappings, it said.

Of the 54 abductions reported nationwide during May, 52 occurred in Balochistan alone, highlighting the growing operational reach and confidence of terrorist groups in the province, the report added.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2026

WASHINGTON / TEH­RAN: Despite an understanding between Iran and Oman, fresh security incidents in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday highlighted the continued risks for regional shipping in the critical waterway.

While the agreement would be a step towards reopening the key energy route, Iranian media stressed that any easing still hinged on Washington ending its own naval blockade of Iran’s ports.

On Thursday, Centcom said it continued to enforce the naval blockade of Iran, redirecting 49 commercial vessels, disabling two, and boarding two.

Highlighting the risks to ships, the captain of an oil tanker reported hearing two explosions while transiting the strait, nine nautical miles southeast of Kumzar in Oman, Britain’s maritime security agency said on Wednesday.

“The Master of a tanker has reported hearing two explosions whilst transiting in the Strait of Hormuz,” the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on X, adding that the crew and vessel were safe, and that no environmental damage was reported.

Oman is already facing an impending environmental catastrophe as an alleged Russian shadow fleet tanker leaks oil across hundreds of square kilometres near a nature reserve. Satellite imagery shows what appeared to be an oil slick spreading from a ship that has been stranded for over a month near al-Qibliyyah island, off Oman’s southern coast.

It is far from the Strait of Hormuz, which has seen regular tanker attacks in the Middle East war.

“With oil apparently continuing to leak and the vessel stranded in a difficult location, the risk of an even larger environmental disaster remains serious,” Nina Noelle of Greenpeace told AFP.

She warned of a “severe and long-lasting” consequence.

US imports cross 0.6m barrels per day

US imports of Middle Eastern crude are set to hit about 600,000 barrels per day in August, the highest since the Iran war began, as a brief opening of the Strait of Hormuz and the rerouting of Saudi oil through the Suez Canal pushed barrels toward American ports, ship-tracking data showed.

Nearly a dozen ships loaded with Middle Eastern crude were headed to US ports as American refiners and traders moved swiftly to snap up barrels that exited the strait when a memorandum of understanding signed by US and Iran in June helped release vessels from the maritime choke point.

Also boosting imports are cargoes from Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea port of Yanbu that are traveling through the Suez Canal to the United States. Saudi Arabia has rerouted its crude output to Yanbu via its east-west pipeline to get around Iranian attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

However, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militants last month launched a maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia, and the risk of attacks at the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on the southern end of the Red Sea has forced many tankers to head north and exit the shipping channel via the Suez Canal.

That has increased exports from the region to the United States, as the journey to US ports from the Suez Canal is shorter than the route to Asia. Vessels exiting via the northern route can still sail to Asia, but the voyage would take nearly four weeks longer than typical and raise costs.

‘Theatre’ of negotiations

Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance acknowledged American frustrations with the pace of diplomacy with Iran, saying negotiations would take time because of divisions within the country’s leadership.

“It’s going to be messy and it’s going to take some time to get there,” Vance told Fox News in an interview broadcast on Wednesday.

“The reality… is that number one, the Iranians are extraordinarily difficult people. Number two, they have a fractured system,” he said.

On the other hand, Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf assailed the US for using “bullying, broken promises [and] fake news as leverage” during negotiations.

“‘Massive attack coming … wait, never mind, they want to negotiate,’” he writes on X, in an apparent jibe at Washington’s attitude throughout the peace process. “That’s theatre diplomacy on loop.”

Calling the US approach a “failed strategy”, he urges Washington to acknowledge facts and fulfil its commitments under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.

“We don’t need more theatre,” he concluded.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2026

ISLAMABAD: The Islam­abad High Court (IHC) on Thursday reserved its order on petitions alleging the solitary confinement of PTI foun­der Imran Khan and his spouse, Bushra Bibi, as Adiala jail authorities denied the claim in a report that PTI rejected as contrary to the facts.

Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro was hearing the petitions against solitary confinement of former prime minister Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi.

Justice Soomro observed that the court would issue its order after examining the record and directed the parties to submit, in writing, any judicial precedents they intended to rely upon.

The Advocate General argued that the petitions were not maintainable, denying solitary confinement allegations and stating that Imran Khan was being provided facilities beyond those available to B-class prisoners.

He submitted that, owing to security considerations arising from Imran Khan’s political profile, he was housed separately from other inmates.

However, he argued that such arrangements could not be termed solitary confinement. The jail authorities, he added, had complied with previous court directions by providing newspapers, books, and other facilities.

Justice Soomro questioned the nature of the security arrangements and asked whether Imran Khan had been extended B-class facilities. The Advocate General replied that he was receiving facilities even better than those prescribed for B-class prisoners.

Adiala Jail Superintendent Sajid Baig informed the court that the PTI founder was not confined to a single cell for 24 hours, explaining that he had access to a compound comprising seven cells where he could move freely during the day. He contended that solitary confinement required a prisoner to remain continuously locked in a cell, which was not the case.

Barrister Salman Safdar, the counsel for ex-PM, disputed the government’s stance, arguing that his clients were effectively being subjected to prolonged isolation amounting to mental torture. Referring to his meeting with Mr Khan earlier this year, held on the directions of the Supreme Court, he said his client had complained of deteriorating eyesight, restricted access to lawyers, political colleagues, and family members, as well as an inadequate supply of books.

The counsel said Imran Khan, despite facing over 300 cases, had been denied regular legal consultations, with a 65-minute meeting in April being his first meaningful inte­raction with lawyers in months.

The counsel sought a prison inspection panel, weekly phone calls with Imran Khan’s sons, regular meetings with lawyers and family, and permission for him to meet Bushra Bibi under prison rules.

During the proceedings, books sent by Mr Khan’s family for delivery to the prison were produced before the court.

Aleema Khan also addressed the court, alleging that her brother had received only three books since December and had met family members only a handful of times, mostly pursuant to court orders.

The Advocate General arg­ued that Imran Khan’s eyesight issue was beyond the scope of the petitions, but Justice Soomro observed that the medical board’s report should have been placed before the court.

Separately, the superintendent of Adiala jail submitted a report denying that Bushra Bibi had been kept in solitary confinement or subjected to discriminatory treatment.

The report stated that the practice of solitary confinement had virtually ceased in prisons and that Bushra Bibi was being accommodated separately only because of security concerns arising from her status as the spouse of a former prime minister.

PTI rejects Adiala report

Meanwhile, PTI rejected a report submitted by the Adiala jail authorities to the IHC, which stated the former prime minister was not being held in solitary confinement.

In a statement, PTI descr­ibed the jail authorities’ claim as “contrary to facts” and alleged that it was an attempt to mislead both the court and the public. The PTI maintained that Imran Khan had been subjected to “extraordinary restrictions”, alleging that meetings with his family and visitors had repeatedly been denied despite court orders.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Eight Muslim countries, including Pakistan, have once again condemned Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip, terming them against international humanitarian law and United Nations resolutions.

The Foreign Office said on Thursday that foreign ministries of Pakistan, Egypt, Turkiye, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, in a joint statement, condemned the continued humanitarian crisis in the region, which they termed “a clear breach of Israel’s obligations under international law”, as well as the plan to end the conflict outlined by United States President Donald Trump in 2025.

The ministers expressed “their strongest condemnation and denunciation of the ongoing Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip, particularly the targeting of healthcare facilities and medical infrastructure, attacks on civilian infrastructure and the continued loss of civilian lives”.

They said the continued violence undermined efforts to implement the second phase of the plan, especially after Palestinian factions had accepted the agreement.

The statement added that Israel’s actions threatened to derail the political process and “reignite the cycle of escalation”.

The eight foreign ministers stressed that the protection of civilians, medical facilities, humanitarian and health workers, as well as the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid, were legal obligations that must not be compromised.

They added that the ongoing violations could not be viewed in isolation from ongoing settler attacks in the occupied West Bank, unlawful expansion of settlements, and the “unilateral measures aimed at altering the ‘status quo in Occupied Jerusalem’”, referring to frequent instances of Israeli settlers storming the Al-Aqsa Mosque — one of Islam’s holiest sites.

The Israeli government has publicly maintained that its policy on the status quo remains unchanged, even as incidents like last Thursday’s continue to inflame the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, since taking office, its far-right Security Minister Ben Gvir has stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque more than a dozen times.

“Taken together, these practices constitute a systematic policy aimed at imposing a fait accompli by force, undermining the foundations of the two-state solution, and marginalising the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people,” the statement said.

Reiterating that these actions violated international humanitarian law and relevant United Nations resolutions, the ministers once again called on the international community — particularly the UN Security Council — to compel Israel to fulfil its obligations under those laws while holding to account “those responsible for grave violations”. They added that this should be done in a way that contributes to civilian protection and achieving a permanent ceasefire.

They rejected attempts to annex or impose Israeli sovereignty over the occupied territory or to forcibly displace Palestinians, stressing that a “serious political process” leading to a two-state solution was the only path to a just and comprehensive peace.

This process, they added, should include the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

At a ministerial conference in Amman, Jordan, on Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said that Israel has no sovereignty over East Jerusalem and its holy sites, condemning the incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque by “extremist Israeli settlers”.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Dar also held one-to-one meetings with the foreign ministers of Turkiye, Algeria and Egypt, as well as his Jordanian counterpart, with the “deteriorating situation in the occupied West Bank” coming under discussion.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2026

GILGIT: The search for Pakistani mountaineer Sohail Sakhi and American climber Sarah Mallory Geis entered its eighth day on Thursday, with rescue teams continuing efforts to locate the two missing members of an international expedition hit by an avalanche on Broad Peak.

The avalanche struck on July 30, cutting off contact with the 10-member international expedition led by world-renowned British-Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja on Broad Peak, one of the world’s highest mountains. Mr Purja’s company later confirmed there were no survivors.

Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) Secretary General Ayaz Shigri told Dawn that seven bodies had so far been recovered and airlifted to Skardu, while the search for Mr Sakhi and Ms Geis was continuing.

Mr Shigri said a leg believed to be that of Ms Geis had been airlifted on Saturday along with the bodies of two other climbers, but her body has yet to be recovered.

The body of Nawang Thindu Sherpa was also spotted, but could not be recovered because of its location in a high-altitude, avalanche-prone area, ACP member Naila Kiani told Dawn.

Earlier in the day, the bodies of five climbers, including Purja, Wang Zhong, Nima Sherpa, Gyalu Sherpa and Killi Pemba “Kilu” She­rpa, were airlifted to the Combined Military Hospital in Skardu.

In a statement, the ACP said the recovery mission was among the most technically demanding operations carried out on Broad Peak.

The bodies were later prepared for repatriation to their respective home countries after the completion of legal formalities and identification procedures.

Officials said the search and rescue operation had been conducted under extremely challenging conditions and praised the efforts of local high-altitude porters, rescue personnel and mountaineers involved in the mission.

“Pakistan Army, local rescue teams and relevant agencies are participating in the search and rescue operation, and the search for the remaining missing mountaineers is continuing using all possible resources,” the ACP said.

The body of Nepali mountaineer Purna Bahadur Gurung, also known as Yukta, another member of the ill-fated expedition, was flown to Kathmandu aboard a Qatar Airways flight on Thursday, Nepal News reported.

Family members and well-wishers gathered at Tribhuvan Inte­rnational Airport to pay their final respects before his remains were taken in a procession to the Nepal Mountaineering Association secretariat in Naxal. His last rites are scheduled to be held on Friday (today).

Candlelight vigil

A candlelight vigil was held in Aliabad, Hunza, on Wednesday evening to honour Mr Sakhi and the nine other climbers who lost their lives in the Broad Peak avalanche.

Emotional scenes unfolded as relatives, friends and local residents gathered to pay tribute to the veteran Pakistani mountaineer and express their grief over the tragedy.

Speakers at the vigil said Mr Sakhi had made remarkable contributions to promoting mountaineering, adventure tourism and Pakistan’s mountain heritage internationally. They described him as a courageous professional whose dedication, skill and deep love for his homeland would continue to inspire young adventurers and aspiring climbers.

The participants also adopted a resolution urging the Gilgit-Balt­istan and federal governments to recognise Mr Sakhi’s legacy through a series of national initiatives.

In a message read out by his brother, Tufail Shahzad, Mr Sakhi’s family expressed gratitude to all the individuals and institutions involved in the search and recovery operation. The message said Mr Sakhi had “met his Creator amidst the same great mountains that he loved so much”.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2026

In a statement, the airline said that ticket sales had started for the Islamabad-Riyadh and Lahore-Riyadh routes, while the inaugural service to Lahore would be launched on August 18.

A total of seven flights per week would operate between Riyadh and Islamabad, while the Lahore route would be served by three flights per week, the statement said.

The airline said that the new routes will be operated on Riyadh Air’s new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, featuring the airline’s latest cabin interiors and on-board experience. The Dreamliners feature four cabins, including Business Elite, Business, Premium Economy and Economy class.

The Lahore-Riyadh and Islamabad-Riyadh routes have been planned to offer smooth onward connectivity to Europe and the Middle East, catering to both business and leisure travellers from Pakistan, the statement said.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2026

Dubbed Muse Code, Meta said in a blog post that the new product is an agentic coding tool that can perform “complex software engineering tasks” with large amounts of data, including planning, writing and validating code.

Agentic tools are software applications which are programmed to handle tasks without human supervision, though often someone will still make the final call on decisions or supervise the execution of tasks. Muse Code launched in beta, or in a preview mode. Meta also released an updated version of its flagship model, known as Spark, which it unveiled in April.

The update, called Spark 1.2, is “coding-focused” and available through Muse Code and another developer application called Meta Model API, the social media giant said.

New tool can perform ‘complex software engineering tasks’ with large amounts of data

Meta has poured billions into its AI division, now known as Meta Superintelligence Labs, as it attempts to keep up with OpenAI and Anthropic.

Major AI developers are in a tight race to dominate the sector, not just in pure technical capabilities but also to prove that their heavy spending to meet growing demand will turn into profits.

Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet and Meta are collectively on track to pour around $700 billion into AI data centers, chips and computing infrastructure this year.

While chatbots have generated a frenzy around AI since OpenAI launched ChatGPT in late 2022, few people have been willing to pay for them. However, software engineers and companies are increasingly willing to pay for automated coding tools.

In February, OpenAI said ChatGPT reached 900 million weekly active users, including 9 million businesses and 50 million consumers that pay for it.

Anthropic has not disclosed its total users, but the company told TechCrunch in March that its paid subscriptions “have more than doubled this year.” SpaceXAI, a subdivision of Elon Musk’s rocket company SpaceX, develops its own chatbot called Grok, and the company announced earlier this year it would acquire coding startup Cursor for $60 billion.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2026

Police said a group of people attacked Shakib’s ancestral home in Magura town, about 170km (105 miles) southwest of the capital Dhaka on Wedn­esday, causing a fire on the upper floor of the residence. The property was unoccupied at the time and no injuries were reported.

Reuters was unable to reach Shakib for comment on the attack. The attack came hours after Shakib, a former Awami League lawmaker, joined a virtual event organised by the Foreign Correspondents Club of South Asia in New Delhi. During the audio address, Hasina reiterated that she would return to Bangladesh, where she has been sentenced to death.

Shakib, who was elected to parliament as an Awami League candidate in January 2024, has remained outside Bangladesh since the student-led uprising that toppled Hasina’s government. He faces multiple investigations, including over allegations of murder, embezzlement, fraud and money laundering.

“I will return to my people,” Hasina said. “I know that they may put me in jail or they may kill me, but still I have to go back.”

The event, held on the second anniversary of her ouster, was Hasina’s first public interaction with the media since she fled Bangladesh in 2024. Hasina also said the ban on the Awami League, the party she led for more than four decades, should be lifted after it was barred from political activity following her ouster.

Bangladesh’s foreign ministry condemned Hasi­na’s media appearance, describing it as an affront to the sovereignty of Bangladesh and warning that allowing her to address the media from India could harm bilateral relations. Hasina, 78, has been living in New Delhi since August 2024. Bangladesh has sought her extradition from India, which says the request is being examined under its legal procedures. In Nove­mber 2025, the country’s war crimes tribunal sentenced her to death in absentia over the deadly crackdown on the 2024 student-led uprising, char­ges she has dismissed as politically motivated.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2026