CHATTOGRAM: Matt Renshaw’s all-round show with an unbeaten 89 and a wicket helped Australia with a seven-run win over Bangladesh in the second T20 in Chattogram on Friday to seal the three-match series.

Renshaw’s career-best score after Australia won the toss and decided to bat first helped the visitors reach 196-5, which they defended in a last-over thriller, with Bangladesh only managing 189-6.

Chasing 197, Bangladesh made a blistering start through openers Tanzid Hasan and Saif Hassan, who put on 48 in just 3.4 overs to raise hopes of a series-levelling win.

Tanzid smashed 30 off 15 balls with four fours and a six before Renshaw made the breakthrough, taking a sharp return catch off his own bowling.

Soumya Sarkar kept up the momentum as Bangladesh raced to 72-1 at the end of the powerplay, but Adam Zampa removed him for 15 to slow the charge.

Parvez Hossain Emon then counter-attacked, hammering 36 off 22 balls and combining with Saif in a 53-run stand to keep Bangladesh on course.

But Australia came back in the game when Aaron Hardie dismissed Emon, with captain Mitchell Marsh taking a running catch at cover, before Joel Davies removed the set Saif for 42. Bangladesh needed 63 runs off the last 40 balls, with captain Towhid Hridoy holding the line.

Hridoy fought till the end with a brisk 35 off 22 balls, sharing a 36-run stand with Abdul Gaffar Saqlain, but was caught on the boundary with Bangladesh needing eight off the last ball of the chase.

“We were moving according to plan,” Emon said after the game. “I felt the biggest damage was my wicket and Saif’s wicket falling back-to-back,” he added. “We fell a bit behind there, otherwise it was looking very good.”

Australia’s Hardie took two wickets, while Nathan Ellis, Renshaw, Zampa and Davies claimed one each.

Earlier, Renshaw’s innings lifted the visitors after they stumbled to 44-3 inside the powerplay.

Josh Inglis and Marsh gave the tourists a brisk start before Nasum Ahmed dismissed Inglis for 11 and Nahid Rana removed the in-form Cooper Connolly for one.

Mustafizur Rahman then sent back Ma­rsh for 20 on the final ball of the powerplay.

Renshaw rebuilt with Tim David, whose 45 off 26 balls came in a match-defining 97-run stand.

“It’s nice to get a couple of wins and wrap up the series after two games,” Renshaw said after the game.

The T20 series win comes after Australia’s shock 2-1 loss in the preceding one-day international series earlier this month.

“Yeah, a little bit,” Renshaw said when asked if the result felt like settling scores.

“The one-day series, it was a few really good games,” he added. “It felt like every game we were just a little bit shy.”

SCOREBOARD

AUSTRALIA:

J. Inglis lbw Nasum 11

M. Marsh c Saif b Mustafizur 20

C. Connolly c Saif b Nahid 1

M. Renshaw not out 89

T. David c Tanzid b Gaffar 45

N. Chaudhary lbw Nasum 8

J. Davies not out 13

EXTRAS (NB-1, W-8) 9

TOTAL (for five wickets, 20 overs) 196

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-30 (Inglis), 2-31 (Connolly), 3-44 (Marsh), 4-141 (David), 5-154 (Chaudhary)

DID NOT BAT: A. Hardie, N. Ellis, S. Johnson, A. Zampa

BOWLING: Nasum 4-0-27-2; Gaffar 4-0-53-1 (1w, 1nb); Nahid 4-0-36-1 (2w); Mustafizur 4-0-34-1 (1w); Rishad 4-0-46-0

BANGLADESH:

Tanzid Hasan c & b Renshaw 30

Saif Hassan c Marsh b Davies 42

Soumya Sarkar c Hardie b Zampa 15

Parvez Hossain c Marsh b Hardie 36

Tawhid Hridoy c David b Hardie 35

Shamim Hossain c Hardie b Ellis 7

Abdul Gaffar not out 13

EXTRAS (LB-3, W-8) 11

TOTAL (for six wickets, 20 overs) 189

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-48 (Tanzid), 2-77 (Soumya), 3-130 (Parvez), 4-134 (Saif), 5-153 (Shamim), 6-189 (Tawhid)

DID NOT BAT: Nasum Ahmed, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Nahid Rana

BOWLING: Hardie 4-0-40-2 (3w); Johnson 2-0-39-0 (1w); Ellis 4-0-27-1; Renshaw 2-0-13-1; Zampa 4-0-39-1; Davies 3-0-21-1; Chaudhary 1-0-7-0

RESULT: Australia won by seven runs.

MAN-OF-THE-MATCH: Matt Renshaw

SERIES: Australia lead three-match series 2-0.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026

The 2023 champions was amo­ng 50 players who did not conclude their first rounds Thursday due to a two-hour morning fog delay, but Friday skies were clear at the restart.

Clark owned a four-stroke overnight lead through 16 holes but compatriot Dustin Johnson, a two-time major winner, birdied the par-three seventh and par-four ninth to trim his playing partner’s edge in half.

Johnson sank a three-foot birdie putt at the seventh and a 10-footer for birdie at the ninth to complete a 66 and grab second.

Sharing third were past US Open winners Matt Fitzpatrick of England and American Gary Woodland on 67.

Fitzpatrick opened Friday with an 11-foot birdie putt at the eighth and parred the ninth while Woodland birdied the eighth from just inside 15 feet and parred the ninth.

A pack four adrift that completed two-under 68s on Thursday included amateur Ryder Cowan and fellow Americans Max McGreevy and Sam Stevens.

Two-time major winner Jon Rahm of Spain was two-under with three holes remaining.

Six-time major winner Rory McIlroy was in a pack on 69 that included American Brian Harman and Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg among others.

Clark, a back-nine starter, shared the lead with Johnson on Thursday but birdied the third and fourth holes, the latter from 22 feet, and dropped his second shot three feet from the hole at the par-five fifth then sank his eagle putt to seize command.

He parred the sixth after chipping 61 feet to within inches of the hole and parred the seventh just before play was suspended.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026

Odegaard struggled in the 4-1 win against Iraq on Tuesday, appearing off the pace and failing to produce his usual creative fluency. He did, however, provide the assist for Leo Ostigard to head in Norway’s third goal before being substituted nine minutes from time.

Norwegian commentators rated the midfielder poorly, with television pundits pointing to recent injury struggles, but his team-mates strongly defended the Arsenal player.

“It is nonsense,” defender David Moller Wolfe told Norwegian TV2. “He is one of our most important players and one of the best Norwegian footballers of all time. We know how important he has been over a very long period.”

Winger Jens Petter Hauge said the squad remained unfazed by the media scrutiny and midfielder Kristian Thorstvedt dismissed the criticism as “rubbish”, emphasising Odegaard’s vital leadership role on and off the pitch.

Norway play Senegal on Tuesday and France on June 26.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026

The Pakistan pair recovered from a first-game loss to win 10-12, 11-4, 11-2 in 28 minutes.

However, the other Pakistan team of Moha­mmad Hamza Khan and Mohammad Asim Khan bowed out in the last eight, losing to Malaysia’s Sanjay Jeeva and Duncan Lee 4-11, 11-9, 7-11.

The semi-finals of the event are scheduled for Saturday.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026

The 31-year-old medium-pacer dismissed Darcey Carter, Ailsa Lister and Kirstie Gordon in the penultimate over of the Group B encounter after Carter’s half-century had given the Scots real hope of chasing down a target of 154.

Tight bowling from West Indies spinners Hayley Matt­hews and Afy Fletcher, who between them took 5-35, slo­wed Scotland’s charge before Alleyne turned the screw.

Carter and Katherine Fraser smashed 51 from the first five overs, with the former making 59 off her own bat. But despite her fine innings, Scotland were bowled out for 146.

Earlier, West Indies were indebted to Stefanie Taylor for the veteran’s unbeaten 19-ball 47, which included three sixes and four fours, as they made 153-6 after slumping to 85-5 in the 15th over.

This was 2016 champions West Indies’ second successive victory of the tournament after they launched their Group B campaign with a seven-wicket defeat of title-holders New Zealand.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026

FIFA lauded Japanese fans this week on social media platform X for their “impeccable manners” that saw them tidy up the stands post-game, with pictures of men in blue avidly picking up trash.

Similar images have since proliferated online, but one X post went viral after claiming Japanese men aren’t all that they are cracked up to be.

“Japanese men spend among the least time on housework internationally,” read the post, which has been viewed 1.9 million times.

“Please do it at home,” the post said, with a satirical illustration showing a fan who proudly cleans up the stadium is, in fact, relaxing on a sofa at home, oblivious to the pile of laundry and his wife or mother doing the dishes.

Japanese men participate notoriously little in household chores, with women spending 5.5 times more time than men taking on “unpaid work” such as shopping, domestic chores and caregiving, the Cabinet Office says, citing 2021 OECD data.

The gap is far greater than in Britain, France and the US, where women spend 1.8 times, 1.7 times and 1.6 times — respectively — longer than men doing unpaid work.

While supporters describe the act of cleaning up the stadium as proof of Japan’s cultural altruism, others have also seen it as slightly performative.

And opinions have been divided on the viral X post.

“Wives struggling with husbands who don’t clean at all should have them wear Samurai Japan uniforms at home too,” one comment said.

“This is too much of generalisation — not all Japa­n­ese men are like that,” another user wrote.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026

Sources told Dawn that the visa of head coach Manzoor-ul-Hasan Senior has also yet to be issued.

Pakistan are currently in Belg­ium for the penultimate leg of the league, where they are facing Belgium and Spain. They have lost three of their first four matches.

According to sources, Ammad’s visa refusal is most likely linked to an alleged overstay in England during 2022-23. They said his club in England had assured him that his visa would be extended, but the process could not be completed and his stay exceeded the legal six-month limit. Sources added that Ammad had subsequently applied for asylum in the UK, but his application was unsuccessful.

They said the PHF had made efforts to secure the captain’s visa but failed to obtain clearance. Ammad is expected to return home within the next few days.

Pakistan are due to face arch-rivals India and hosts England in the final leg of the Pro League.

Sources said the PHF was not overly concerned about Ammad’s absence from the England leg, citing team’s poor results. However, they added the federation was worried about the negative image created by the visa refusal.

Meanwhile, if Manzoor also fails to obtain a visa, PHF Director High Performance Tahir Zaman could take charge of the team’s coaching duties in England.

Tahir has already travelled to Belgium to observe the ongoing Pro League matches.

Sources recalled that during Pakistan’s tour of Australia, Amm­ad and several players opposed Tahir’s appointment as head coach. Tahir subsequently stepped down despite being offered to continue by Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani.

According to sources, Tahir had sought the removal of Ammad and a number of players who had backed the captain. He was later appointed Director High Perfor­mance, a move that reportedly drew criticism from Ammad.

Sources further claimed that Ammad had approached a couple of federal ministers in an effort to facilitate the issuance of his UK visa, but received no positive response.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026

Having dismissed England for 291 just before lunch for a first-innings lead of 100, New Zealand lost openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway cheaply but then turned the screws to reach a commanding 252-3 at the close.

On a day of unbroken sunshine, Nicholls took full advantage of the batsman-friendly conditions with an unbeaten 119. Daryl Mitchell was 32 not out at the close.

Ravindra, dropped on seven with New Zealand wobbling slightly on 48-2, played fluently in a third-wicket stand of 161, but with a century beckoning he fell lbw to England’s part-time spinner Jacob Bethell having scored 76.

England began the day on 226-6 in reply to New Zealand’s first-innings 391 and lost Jordan Cox, Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue in quick succession as pace bowler Matthew Henry completed his first five-wicket haul against England.

A defiant half century by number nine Matthew Fisher put the brakes on New Zealand’s charge and Archer then produced a hostile opening spell as England threatened a counter-attack.

But England’s fire faded and New Zealand are now clear favourites to level the three-match series having lost the opener by 115 runs at Lord’s.

SCOREBOARD

NEW ZEALAND (1st Innings) 391 (G. Phillips 100; J. Bethell 3-26)

ENGLAND (1st Innings, overnight 222-6):

B. Duckett run out 36

E. Gay c Blundell b O’Rourke 53

J. Bethell c Blundell b Smith 9

J. Root lbw b Henry 46

H. Brook lbw b Henry 24

J. Rew c Mitchell b O’Rourke 24

J. Cox c Latham b Henry 27

J. Archer c Blundell b Henry 8

M. Fisher not out 50

J. Tongue c Smith b Henry 1

S. Baker c Latham b Jamieson 4

EXTRAS (B-1, LB-5, NB-3) 9

TOTAL (all out, 84 overs) 291

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-45 (Duckett), 2-68 (Bethell), 3-142 (Gay), 4-170 (Root), 5-177 (Brook), 6-217 (Rew), 7-235 (Cox), 8-236 (Archer), 9-238 (Tongue)

BOWLING: Henry 24-3-80-5, Jamieson 20-6-78-1 (1nb), O’Rourke 20-2-68-2 (1nb), Smith 18-5-57-1 (1nb), Ravindra 2-0-2-0

NEW ZEALAND (2nd Innings):

T. Latham c Rew b Archer 4

D. Conway c Brook b Tongue 11

H. Nicholls not out 119

R. Ravindra lbw b Bethell 76

D. Mitchell not out 32

EXTRAS (B-5, LB-4, NB-1) 10

TOTAL (for three wickets, 56 overs) 252

STILL TO BAT: T. Blundell, G. Phillips, N. Smith, K. Jamieson, M. Henry, W. O’Rourke

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-8 (Latham), 2-28 (Conway), 3-189 (Ravindra)

BOWLING: Archer 8-0-39-1 (1nb), Fisher 12-3-45-0, Tongue 11-3-49-1, Baker 9-1-42-0, Root 6-0-25-0, Bethell 8-0-34-1, Brook 2-1-9-0

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026

Due to uncertainty over visas and the conflict with the US, the Iranian team are commuting from their tournament base in co-host Mexico for their three group games in the US.

US authorities require them to enter within 24 hours of a match and leave the same day, leading team coach Amir Ghalenoei to say Iran were the “most oppressed” team in the tournament.

“The Football Federation of Iran believes these restrictions are inconsistent with the principles of providing equal conditions for participating teams and may affect their technical preparation,” the federation said in a statement on Friday announcing its protest to FIFA. FIFA did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.

Ghalenoei said the disruption had prejudiced Iran in Monday’s 2-2 draw with New Zealand.

“Under the coaching staff’s plan, the national team needed to travel to the host city two days bef­ore each match in order to achieve optimal technical and physical condition, and then return to their base the day after the match,” the federation said.

“However, for the opening match against New Zealand, this request was not approved.”

The US Department of Homeland Security said the measures were safety precautions agreed with Iran, who face Belgium on June 21 in Los Angeles and will conclude their Group G fixtures against Egypt on June 27 in Seattle.

“The team will be allowed to come in match day minus one, so the day before the match. They’ll be asked to leave the day that the match wraps up, so the evening of the match,” a department spokesperson said in response to an email query from Reuters.

“Again, the president wants to make sure that we’re talking about what actually happens on the pitch. A lot of that is making sure that things are safe and secure, not just around the stadiums, but around base camps and training sites.”

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026

Pakistan with this massive defeat remain winless in the lea­g­ue, having lost 11 games in the Pro League 2025-26 season so far.

The Belgians, the current Pro League table toppers, took the lead somewhat fortuitously in the opening minute when Nicolas de Kerpel’s shot from an acute angle deflected off a defender, onto the post, and then trickled over the line after hitting the back of the goalkeeper’s glove.

Nelson Onana dispossessed Pakistan outside their circle from a 16-yard hit and selflessly fed Tom Boon for their second in the 17th minute.Boon made it 3-0 with a tap-in after some lovely passing in the circle in the 23rd.

There were multiple clear opportunities at both ends of the pitch, but Belgium remained 3-0 ahead at half-time.

Pakistan, who currently sit at the bottom of the nine-team league, weren’t without opportunity in the first half and they showed flashes of their attacking brilliance again in the third quarter, but nothing really fell for them and their legs started to fade as time ticked on.

Victor Foubert put the game out of reach with some sensational individual skill in the 41st minute. He received the ball in the circle between two defenders, spun between them with aerial skills down his weak side and then drove the ball into the goal with a difficult upright reverse stick shot.

Boon completed his hat-trick in the 46th minute with a blistering first-time strike, and Hugo Labouc­here added a drag flick in the 50th to complete the scoring.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026

Drawn alongside Germany and the Ivory Coast in Group ‘E’, Ecuador arrived at the tournament as one of South America’s more quietly fancied teams, built on defensive discipline.

But their campaign began with frustration, a 1-0 defeat by the Ivory Coast in which they created chances but lacked the cutting edge to convert them.

Now, Sebastian Beccacece’s men must respond, with anything less than three points leaving them facing an uphill battle heading into their final group game against Germany.

“When you don’t start the way you wanted, the anxiety appears,” Beccacece said. “But now we need more conviction than ever, more belief than ever, more confidence than ever.”

Ecuador’s identity remains clear. The team conceded five goals in 18 qualifying matches and are anchored by a defensive core featuring Paris St-Germain’s Willian Pacho and Piero Hincapie of Arsenal, with Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo providing energy and control in midfield.

Up front, much of the responsibility still rests on veteran striker Enner Valencia, who continues to serve as the focal point and captain, even as a younger generation pushes through.

The challenge for Ecuador lies in striking the balance between their well-drilled structure and the attacking ambition required to turn control into goals.

For Curacao, this match represents another step in what is already a remarkable World Cup journey.

The Caribbean nation, with a population of around 156,000, is the smallest country ever to reach the tournament and arrived at the finals unbeaten in a remarkable qualifying run.

Their debut against four-times champions Germany, however, was a harsh introduction, ending in a 7-1 thrashing despite a moment of history when they scored their first World Cup goal.

Coach Dick Advocaat, one of the most experienced figures in international football, is expected to lean on the same pragmatic appr­oach that carried Curacao this far.

Captain Leandro Bacuna provides leadership and composure in midfield, while players such as Juninho Bacuna and Jurgen Locadia offer experience across the pitch in a squad largely shaped by Dutch-based and Dutch-born talent.

Curacao typically operate in a compact defensive block, looking to stay organised and strike on the counter, an approach that proved effective in qualifying but was exposed by top-tier opposition.

This will be the first meeting between the two nations, adding another layer of intrigue to a game defined by contrasting profiles: Ecuador, established and structured, against Curacao, the tournament’s ultimate underdog.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026

The Group ‘E’ match in Toronto will be the first real test for Germany, who crushed minnows Curacao 7-1 in their opener on Sunday and are now on a 10-game winning run, but they are well aware of what is up next.

Their defence will have to stop the powerful 19-year-old Diomande if they are to make it two wins in a row and advance to the knockout stage of a World Cup for the first time since 2014.

The teenager scored his first professional goal just 13 months ago when he was playing for Leganes in Spain and got his breakthrough with a move to RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga in July 2025.

He racked up 12 Bundesliga goals and eight assists in his first season with the German club and has become a major transfer target for top European sides.

“He has had a brutal development. A year ago hardly anyone knew him,” Germany captain Joshua Kimmich said.

“He just had an outstanding season even though Leipzig had some problems. He was consistent and very spectacular. His dribbling is exceptional with this start-stop dribbling, with extreme acceleration. Amazing speed. A very good player,” Kimmich added.

Diomande’s pace, creativity and goal-scoring abilities helped Leipzig to a third-placed finish and a Champions League spot.

Germany, who won their last World Cup title 12 years ago in Brazil, suffered shock first-round exits both in the 2018 and the 2022 editions, their worst record in the competition’s history. They are desperate this time to seal their knockout spot as quickly as possible.

While Germany easily won their opener, the Ivorians needed a late winner to edge past Ecuador 1-0 and join the Germans on three points, second only on goal difference.

Well have to keep a very close eye on Diomande. Diomande stands out,” said Germany defender Antonio Ruediger. “But also Nicolas Pepe and Amad Diallo. These are like express trains that you see coming. They love one-on-one situations and the quick transitions. We have to be prepared.”

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026

INGLEWOOD: Johan Manzambi said he hoped he had repaid the faith shown in him after coming off the bench to score twice in Switzerland’s 4-1 win over Bosnia and Herzeg­ovina in Group ‘B’ of the World Cup on Thursday.

The 20-year-old midfielder was introduced late in the second half at Los Angeles Stadium and made an immediate impact, stri­k­ing twice to seal a victory that lifted Swiss spirits after a disappointing 1-1 draw with Qatar in their opener.

“It’s incredible, it’s the first brace of my entire career,” Manzambi said. “And to do it at the World Cup, especially after we didn’t get off to the best start.” Manzambi said he had not had many options when the chance for his first goal arrived in a crowded penalty area.

“Honestly, there wasn’t much space in the box,” he said. “I don’t think there were a thousand options, but - thank God - it came off.” The Freiburg player said he had entered the match determined to make an impact rather than feeling any nerves on the sport’s biggest stage.

“I came on with the mindset of wanting to help my team, to give the best I could,” he said. “The advice I got was purely tactical. (Swiss coach Murat Yakin) told me to let my talent shine, and I think I showed that.” Yakin prais­ed Manz­ambi’s versatility and unpredictability, saying the youngster’s range of qualities gave his side another attacking option.

“Johan is just a very happy person with so many football qualities,” Yakin said. “He had a very good season with Freiburg. He is very versatile - in defence, midfield, on the flanks, as a striker.” Yakin added that Manzambi still needed to develop more structure in his game but said Switzerland were willing to give him freedom.

“He put a lot of pressure on the opponent,” Yakin said. “He’s a player who can surprise us as well as the opponent.”

Yakin said Manzambi could yet earn a starting role. “Maybe we can use Johan right from the start,” he said. “We will see what will happen in the future.” Manzambi said having his family present made the day even more special and said Switzerland’s squad had responded well after a sluggish opening to the campaign.

“The whole team has a really good feeling,” he said. “We know why we did­n’t start so well, and we knew we had to do more.”

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026

LOS ANGELES: Mexico became the first team to reach the knockout round of the World Cup on Thursday after a 1-0 victory over South Korea while Canada edged closer to the last 32 after thrashing Qatar 6-0.

A howler from South Korea goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu gifted a goal to Mexico’s Luis Romo and proved decisive as ‘El Tri’ hung on to win a tense battle in Guadalajara.

The goal was greeted with relief as much as celebration after a first half in which Mexico struggled to turn possession into clear chances and Romo ackno­wledged the struggles.

“I don’t think we played a perfect game, but we won and that’s the most important thing the fans will be happy,” he told Mexican TV.

The hosts started brig­htly at Guadalajara Stad­i­um, but South Korea grew into the game and sections of the home crowd booed the Mexican players at halftime.

Mexico played with gre­ater authority once ahead, with Raul Jimenez nearly adding a second from close range and substitute Obed Vargas forcing Kim into a sharp low save from distance.

Mexico coach Javier Aguirre acknowledged the performance had been short of fluency, while pointing to South Korea’s organisation.

“It wasn’t a great match, but the opposition didn’t let us do much either,” he said.

The victory means Mex­ico are guaranteed to finish in top spot in Group A with a game to spare. Finishing top keeps Mexico at home in the last 32 with a game against a third-placed team in Mexico City.

Aguirre played down his team’s achievement of topping a World Cup group for the first time since 2002, saying the real measure of success would come later in the tournament.

“I didn’t know that statistic,” Aguirre, who is coaching Mexico at a third World Cup, told reporters. “It’s anecdotal. It was anecdotal in 2002 and it’s anecdotal now because what matters in the end is the final position.”

South Korea are second on three points, with the Cz­ech Republic and South Africa also still alive on one.

South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo said his players must not dwell on their defeat.

“The goal we conceded was regrettable, but there is no need to hang our hea­ds,” Hong told reporters. “The result is disappointing, but I believe the players executed the plans we prepared for this game well.”

Hong said South Korea had expected Mexico to press aggressively from the start and had focused on surviving the early stages without conceding.

“It was crucial not to concede until the 20th minute of the first half, and the players held on well,” he added.

“After that, the game’s rhythm shifted to our side, and we were able to lead in both pressing and game management.”

Hong declined to blame Kim directly for the goal, saying he had yet to review the collision that led to the mistake.

“There was pushing between players in that scene, and I think a mistake occurred in that process,” he said.

INJURY HORROR

In other games on Thursday, Canada moved to the brink of the last 32 after overwhelming nine-man Qatar to secure their first ever World Cup victory in Group ‘B’.

Tournament co-hosts Canada had lost all six of their previous matches at the World Cup, at the 1986 and 2022 finals, but brought that run of losses to a halt in spectacular fashion at Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium.

With Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney — wearing a replica Canada shirt — among a fired-up crowd, Jesse Marsch’s side ran riot to secure a win that leaves them needing only a point against Swit­zerland to finish top of Group ‘B’.

A hat-trick from Juventus stri­ker Jonathan David, one goal apiece from Cyle Larin and Nath­an Saliba, and a Mohammad Manai own goal sealed Canada’s win.

The victory was marred though by a serious left leg injury to midfielder Ismael Kone, who was stretchered off after being clumsily upended by Qatar’s Assim Madibo in the 51st minute.

Madibo was initially sho­wn a yellow card for the challenge which was subsequently upgraded to red. The stricken Kone was giv­en oxygen as he was carried off the field, waving to fans.

Canada coach Jesse Marsch revealed afterwards Kone was being treated in hospital for a suspected broken leg, adding that his staff had understood the severity of the injury immediately.

“It was right in front of us, and everyone could hear the bone snap,” Mar­sch said. “I haven’t spoken to Ismael yet, but he’s at the hospital. He will prepare for a surgery.

“Everybody’s a little sha­ken by the whole experience because of the nat­ure of the injury, and also because Ismael is a big part of the heart of our team. It will be a big loss for us.”

NO EXCUSES

Qatar coach Julen Lope­tegui offered no excuses after the defeat. Qatar picked up their first World Cup point in a 1-1 draw with Switzerland in their opener but aggression and carelessness saw Qatar hit with two red cards.

“I have two options,” Lopetegui told a news conference.

“One is to start talking here about the referee or the things that happened, or I can put the focus on the only thing that is under my control, (which) is to recover my players, to tell them that they made a big effort, despite all the circumstances, and to be able to face in the best way possible the last group match.”

The 59-year-old Spani­ard said that there was no ill intent behind Madibo’s tackle on Kone and that he wished the Canada midfielder all the best for his recovery, adding that he had to focus on their final group game against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“When we drew against Switzerland, I was not in the sky, I was balanced. And today, too, I have to analyse the match to take the right decisions for the next match, to be able to recover the players as soon as possible,” Lopetegui said.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026

HOUSTON: Sweden head into their Group ‘F’ clash against the Netherlands in Houston on Saturday flying high after producing their best World Cup scoring performance in 88 years, while the Dutch aim to regain confidence following a disappointing opening draw.

A victory would put the Swedes — who thrashed Tunisia 5-1 in their opener — through to the knockout rounds in a reversal of fortunes for a team that only qualified for the tournament via the European playoffs.

The Dutch were undefeated in qualifying for the tournament but an unsatisfying 2-2 draw with Japan raised questions about whether coach Ronald Koeman got his tactics right when reverting to a defensive set-up late in the match before conceding in the 89th minute.

After sometimes playing too passively against Japan, the Dutch know they require a vastly improved performance against a Sweden side revitalised under English coach Graham Potter and brimming with confidence after scoring their most goals in a World Cup game since 1938.

The Netherlands have dangerous players such as Cody Gakpo, Frenkie de Jong and Denzel Dumfries, who can provide the danger that was missing against Japan.

But the Dutch will be without their midfielder Quinten Timber who has been ruled out of the clash after suffering an injury during training, the team announced on Thursday.

National team officials confirmed that Timber, 25, sustained mild concussion following a collision in Thursday practice. Medical staff monitored the player immediately after the incident and decided he would be unavailable for selection.

“The moment Quinten had the ball, I ran deep,” team-mate Teun Koopmeiners told Dutch media. “He wanted to chip it to me and then it happened. It wasn’t a super hard collision, as I understand it, but you do have to be careful.”

The setback for Timber, who celebrated his 25th birthday on Wednesday and was a substitute in the Netherlands’ opening draw against Japan.

Other concern is whether the Netherlands’ all-time top goal-scorer Memphis Depay — who came off the bench but failed to make an impact — can shake off recent thigh trouble to offer pace and guile to break down a compact Sweden defence.

Sweden enter the match in Houston knowing another win puts them in a position to finish top of the group under Potter, who took over last October and guided the team to the World Cup.

Potter — who replaced a riskier attacking style with a more pragmatic system with five defenders — will also be buoyed that the duo of Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres each scored against Tunisia and look to be firing on all cylinders.

They will play a key role in probing a Dutch backline anchored by captain Virgil van Dijk, who scored against Japan but looked less confident when defending.

Yasin Ayari scored a brace for Sweden in the opener and will also give the Netherlands more food for thought, but it was Isak and Gyokeres who posed the main threats as they both created a host of chances beyond their goals.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026

Topline Securities Ltd said the index traded in a narrow range during the early hours. However, selling pressure was observed in the second half of trading on news that the US and Iran had postponed planned negotiations in Switzerland on a permanent peace agreement and nuclear programme after Israel intensified attacks in southern Lebanon.

The top negative contributors to the index were United Bank, Fauji Fertiliser, Engro Holdings, Pakistan Petroleum, Oil and Gas Development Company, Lucky Cement, Habib Bank and Systems Ltd, which together wiped out 1,273 points from the benchmark.

Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Ltd, said PSX saw aggressive profit-taking, with the index falling 2,475.46 points, or 1.36 per cent, to close at 178,923. Investor sentiment remained cautious as market participants locked in gains, particularly in blue-chip cyclical stocks, ahead of the weekend.

On the macro front, the Sensitive Price Index (SPI) for the week ended June 18 rose by 15.28pc YoY and 0.46pc week-on-week.

Investor participation weakened over the previous day as trading volume fell 15.43pc to 1.03bn shares and traded value dipped 6.68pc to Rs53.8bn. SSGC led the volume chart with 87.3m shares traded.

Analysts believe the market could stay volatile in the short term as investors closely watch geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. However, improving macroeconomic fundamentals, a stable interest rate outlook, and expectations of decreasing energy prices continue to bolster the overall market trend.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026

Equities had largely rallied since the two countries announced plans last weekend to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, fuelling global relief after the war triggered energy shortages and surging inflation.

Almost four months of war have seen crude futures tumble on optimism of heralded settlements in sight, only to rise again as such hopes have been repeatedly dispelled. Stock markets have meanwhile benefited from money continuing to pile into the AI sector.

Friday saw oil prices back up slightly as Brent stood up 0.7pc at $80.41 a barrel while West Texas Intermediate gai­ned 0.3pc to $76.85.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Short-term inflation, measured by the Sensitive Price Index (SPI), increased by 15.28 per cent year-on-year for the week ending June 20, mainly due to higher retail prices of perishable food items, according to official data released on Friday.

The SPI showed a broad-based rise, indicating continued pressure on the cost of living. The year-on-year increase was largely driven by sharp gains in key items, including petrol (44.73pc), diesel (44.39pc), electricity charges (59.40pc), wheat flour (58.72pc), and liquefied petroleum gas (52.66pc).

Food inflation remained elevated, with notable increases in the prices of onion, tomato, potato, mutton, beef and wheat flour.

The government has announced a steep cut in petrol and diesel rates effective June 20. The impact of this decline will be visible in next week’s SPI data.

Despite this limited easing, energy-related costs continued to weigh on household budgets and push up transport expenses across the economy. The SPI has now recorded an increase for the 44th consecutive week.

On a week-on-week basis, the index increased by 0.46pc compared to the previous week, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.

The items, whose prices increased the most over the previous week, included tomatoes (16.65pc), potatoes (6.82pc), chicken (5.60pc), washing soap (1.16pc), gur (0.65pc), mutton and LPG (0.51pc) each, shirting (0.48pc), long cloth (0.43pc), eggs (0.35pc), milk fresh (0.29pc) and curd (0.26pc).

The items whose prices saw a decline week-on-week included onions (2.98pc), garlic (2.51pc), bananas (1.28pc), petrol (1.06pc), pulse mash (1.04pc), salt powder (0.95pc), pulse moong (0.61pc), wheat flour (0.53pc), diesel (0.51pc) and pulse gram (0.04pc).

However, on an annual basis, the items whose prices increased the most onions (79.76pc), tomatoes (68.59pc), electricity charges for Q1 (59.40pc), wheat flour (58.72pc), LPG (52.66pc), petrol (44.73pc), diesel (44.39pc), mutton (16.30pc), chilies powder (15.20pc), beef (12.86pc), garlic (10.74pc) and bread (8.67pc).

In contrast, the prices of potatoes dropped 41.09pc, followed by eggs (26.98pc), pulse gram (22.32pc), sugar (17.51pc), salt powder (14.09pc), pulse masoor (12.25pc), pulse moong (5.48pc) and chicken (4.24pc).

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026

Under the NFC Award, the head of the household transfers roughly 60 per cent of the family’s income to the children to run their rooms, covering expenses such as education, health and development. The Centre retains the remaining 40pc. However, it is perpetually short of cash because the share is insufficient to service its debts while also paying for defence.

Enter the IMF in the role of an exacting bank manager. It extends loans to plug the deficit but keeps a close eye on the family’s books. One of its long-standing conditions is that the children collectively save a substantial portion of their allowance and post a surplus.

This year, however, the provinces face an additional requirement: a Rs1.04 trillion transfer to the Centre under Article 164 of the Constitution. This is not the same as a surplus. In a surplus, the adult children still own the money; they simply do not spend all of it, so that the overall household finances appear healthier to the bank. Thus, Punjab’s Rs910bn surplus and Balochistan’s Rs46bn surplus remain on provincial books and are not handed over to Islamabad to finance federal spending.

A clawback is different. Here, the provinces no longer own the money. It is transferred back to the Centre, which can then use it for its own purposes — defence, debt servicing and as a buffer against external shocks such as the Gulf conflict. Defence spending alone has risen 17pc to Rs3tr in the federal budget 2026-27. Punjab will contribute Rs535.5bn, Sindh Rs254bn, KP Rs151bn and Balochistan Rs94bn. In effect, the adult children are left with less money to spend on the citizens living in their rooms.

Notably, the provinces are free to present either a deficit or surplus budget when they place their finances before their respective assemblies. However, under the fiscal pact signed with the IMF as part of the federal government’s loan programme, they have committed to delivering an agreed surplus to support the consolidated fiscal position each year. That is why Sindh’s budget shows a deficit of Rs37bn and KP’s a deficit of Rs48bn, even as both remain bound by the broader surplus targets agreed with the Centre and the IMF.

This brings us back to the joint family. The children may run their own rooms and keep their own accounts, but when the bank manager reviews the household finances, it is the family’s combined balance sheet that ultimately matters.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026

As a result, a significant amount of marine traffic, including transhipment, was shifted to Pakistan, mainly the KPT.

In a statement, KPT Chairman retired Rear Admiral Shahid Ahmad said the performance demonstrated the port’s ability to accommodate rising trade volumes and support national economic objectives.

“The ongoing reforms, infrastructure upgrades and measures aimed at improving port services have contributed to the rise in cargo and container traffic,” he said, adding that Karachi Port handles a substantial share of the country’s seaborne trade and remains a critical gateway for imports and exports.

Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said the milestone was achieved weeks before the close of the outgoing fiscal year, underscoring growing confidence in Pakistan’s maritime sector and improved port performance.

“KPT has created history by achieving the highest-ever container handling volume in FY26,” he said in a statement.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi on Friday unveiled a total development outlay of Rs524.3 billion for the 2026-27 fiscal year, structuring the expenditure around strategic priorities including youth empowerment, good governance, and climate resilience.

The proposed budget is Rs84bn lower than the current development portfolio, based on the revised development expenditure of Rs608.5bn. The actual development outlay for the outgoing year is Rs547bn.

Out of the total proposed allocation for development in the province, Rs. 431.4bn has been earmarked for the settled districts, while Rs40.6bn has been allocated for the development of merged districts.

An additional Rs52.3bn has been allocated for the Accelerated Implemen­tation Programme (AIP) for the tribal districts. The combined proposed development outlay for the erstwhile tribal regions stands at Rs92.9bn.

According to the budget documents, 44 per cent of the total development outlay has been allocated for infrastructure development, 19pc for social sectors, 13pc for governance, 10pc for multi-sectoral development, 9pc for production sectors, and 5pc for green development initiatives.

The development expenditure has been structured around strategic priorities, including youth empowerment, the Ehsaas Awam Ka initiative for good governance, service delivery, social safety nets, reducing regional disparities, economic growth and job creation, urban and rural water conservation, climate resilience, green growth and biodiversity, clean drinking water for all, digital advancements, and a safe KP.

A major portion of the development budget has been allocated across key sectors. Rs47bn has been allocated for the district ADP, Rs39bn for the road sector, Rs38bn for urban development, Rs20bn each for the home department and multi-sectoral development, Rs18.9bn for water, Rs. 16.3bn for health, Rs10bn for drinking water and sanitation, Rs7bn for elementary and secondary education, and Rs5.5bn for higher education.

Several targeted development initiatives and new allocations were also highlighted in the budget.

Environmental initiatives

To address environmental vulnerabilities, the Disaster Risk Management Fund has been introduced with an allocation of Rs12bn, compared to no allocation in the previous fiscal year.

To support environmental goals and reduce emissions, Rs2.5bn has been allocated under an Electric Vehicle Adoption Incentive programme to encourage the transition from fossil fuel-powered transport to electric vehicles, addressing urban air pollution, fuel costs, and carbon emissions in major cities of the province.

Education and employment

For higher education support, Rs2bn has been allocated for the Interest-Free Loans for University Students progr­am­­me, aimed at ensuring access to higher education for deserving students by providing repayable zero-interest financing after graduation and employment.

Another Rs2bn has been allocated for the Interest-Free Loans for Overseas Immigrant Workers programme to support citizens seeking employment abroad by covering migration-related costs, including travel, documentation, training, and placement fees.

The Higher Education Department will also receive Rs1.5bn under the Flexible Hiring of Lecturers in Higher Education Department programme, designed to address faculty shortages in public sector institutions through contractual recruitment.

Digital sector and others

A new Artificial Intelligence Authority has been proposed with an allocation of Rs1bn, aimed at promoting the use of AI technologies in governance, public service delivery, and the private sector.

In the digital sector, Rs500m have been allocated for the Free Public WiFi for Peshawar initiative to expand internet access in public spaces and educational institutions.

The DAP (Di-Ammonium Phosphate) Fertiliser Subsidy has been increased from 600 million to 2bn rupees, representing more than a threefold increase aimed at supporting agricultural productivity.

The budget also includes Rs2bn for interest payment on account of Ehsaas initiatives, covering financing-related obligations linked to social protection programmes under the Ehsaas framework.

Additionally, Rs3bn has been allocated for KP Takaful Insurance Companies’ initiative to promote Shariah-compliant insurance services, addressing low insurance penetration due to religious sensitivities around conventional financial products.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026

“We will provide in the transaction structure terms and conditions that protect consumer interests but also ensure investor comfort. We will do it upfront as part of transaction structure, before bidding (of the first Disco), otherwise privatisation will not be possible,” Prime Minister’s Adviser on Privatisation Muhammad Ali told Dawn after a meeting of the Privatisation Commission board, which approved a restructuring plan for Faisalabad Electric Supply Company – the first of five Discos to be sold in 2026-27.

Mr Ali said the Privatisation Commission had completed domestic soft marketing of three Discos of Faisalabad, Gujranwala and Islamabad in seven major cities, with chambers of commerce and industry and business houses and would now be expanding abroad mainly to Saudi Arabia, China and Turkiye and approaching other Middle Eastern capitals — Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and so on — virtually and through transaction advisers to tap in investors and technical operators.

“The privatisation programme needs to be marketed globally,” he said, adding the transactions would be based on financial results as of March 31.

Plans to sell profitable Fesco, Gesco and Iesco this year

The commission has set July 7 for submission of expressions of interest (EoIs) for Faisalabad, August 24 for Gujranwala and Sept 7 for Islamabad Electric Supply Company. “We will run these three parallel transactions and hold bidding one after the other in October, November and December 2026,” he said, adding the transaction structures would have to be “corrected” before October and “we will do it”.

The uniform consumer tariff will continue for the time being, but privatisation, resulting efficiency gains, and the absorption of surplus capacity would reduce the average uniform tariff, he hoped.

He said there was robust investor interest in the power sector. However, they wanted an 18pc dollar-based return, an end to uniform consumer tariffs, permission for self-power generation by new owners, freedom for the private sector to ‘buy and sell electricity’, and the government’s exit from the sector. They also wanted 8-10 year tariff visibility, including investment plans.

He said the government will not allow dollar-based returns at all. “We will provide rupee-based returns of 14-15pc plus key performance indicators (KPIs) that allow profitability of up to 18-20pc while sharing efficiency gains.” “The existing (tariff and business) model is not exciting. This has to change,” he said, adding that the regulator’s capacity needs to be strengthened for ‘improved supervision and monitoring’ instead of discretionary powers.

Alongside these three transactions, the PM’s adviser said that the Sukkur and Hyderabad electric companies would also be restructured and improved to complete their privatisation by August-September next year.

The Board of the Privatisation Commission, led by Mr Ali, formally approved the restructuring plan for Fesco. The restructuring plan, prepared by the Financial Adviser, will now be submitted to the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation (CCoP) for approval.

The board also approved the consortium led by KPMG, in association with Bridge Factor and other consortium partners, as the highest-ranked bidder for appointment as financial adviser for House Building Finance Company Ltd. To facilitate the next phase of the transaction, the board constituted a Negotiation Committee to finalise the Financial Advisory Services Agreement with the successful consortium.

In another important agenda item, the board reviewed the proposed Transaction Advisory Services Agreement with the Asian Development Bank for the outsourcing of operations at Islamabad International Airport, subject to certain changes in conditions.

The board appreciated the progress made on the transaction and provided guidance on certain provisions of the proposed agreement, seeking further clarity before its consideration at a subsequent meeting, an official statement said.

The proposed transaction envisages engaging a qualified private-sector operator under a long-term concession framework through a transparent and competitive process. The initiative aims to enhance operational efficiency, improve the passenger experience, and align airport services with international best practices.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026

According to official notifications issued by the AJK Home Department, those placed on the Fourth Schedule included 33 activists from Poonch, 31 from Sudhnoti, 15 each from Kotli and Bagh, 14 from Mirpur, 10 from Bhimber, eight each from Neelum and Haveli, and four from Muzaffarabad.

The notifications said the decision had been taken at the 41st meeting of the AJK cabinet on June 5.

Strike enters its 11th day; life remains disrupted across much of Poonch, Muzaffarabad divisions

Official sources said more names could be added to the Fourth Schedule on the basis of intelligence reports and ongoing investigations. One official claimed that the properties of those placed on the list could also be attached and sealed.

Though there was no official statement on the situation in Rawalakot, sources said protesters continued to assemble daily at Eidgah Ground, with their numbers fluctuating from day to day.

A senior official, speaking to Dawn on condition of anonymity, claimed that some JAAC leaders had been delivering inflammatory speeches to keep protesters mobilised. He said the authorities had adopted a strategy aimed at ending the sit-in without resorting to force, including disrupting the supply of food reaching protesters through different routes.

The official further claimed that lists were being compiled of government employees allegedly supporting or facilitating the protesters — either through participation in demonstrations or by providing accommodation and meals — for strict disciplinary action.

Meanwhile, life remained disrupted across much of Poonch and Muzaffarabad divisions, where businesses along major roads and in markets remained closed for the 11th consecutive day on Friday. Public transport also stayed off the roads, though private vehicles continued to operate.

Witnesses said the strike was only partially observed in Mirpur division.

In Muzaffarabad, however, some signs of normality began to emerge. Street vendors selling fruit and vegetables returned to several localities, while some medical stores and grocery shops opened for limited hours. Most businesses dealing in clothing, cosmetics, electronics and other non-essential items remained closed.

Residents continued to face difficulties due to the suspension of internet services, which has also disrupted banking operations. Notices displayed outside several banks informed customers that ATM and other banking services would remain unavailable until communication links were restored.

The disruption has also affected Kashmiri students studying in Pakistani cities, whose families have been unable to transfer money to them.

Many residents have been travelling to Garhi Habibullah in Khyber Pakht­unkhwa, around 20 kilometres from Muzaffarabad, to purchase essential commodities and refuel their vehicles.

For small traders, the partial reopening of businesses has provided some relief.

“This is my only source of livelihood. The strike hit me hard and left me penniless,” said Muhammad Shiraz, a pushcart vendor in Upper Adda. “I have small children to support.”

Nearby, grocery shop owner Muhammad Niaz said he had reopened his business out of necessity.

“The stock I purchased before the strike is still lying unsold. Let us hope life returns to normal at the earliest,” he said.

Fuel shortages, meanwhile, continued to cause hardship. All petrol pumps remained closed, with entrances blocked by tents or other barriers.

Several motorists complained they were unable to obtain fuel, while others alleged that petrol was being sold unofficially in bottles at inflated prices.

“I had brought my wife to hospital when my motorcycle ran out of fuel,” said Fazian Rehman, 40, holding an empty bottle outside a petrol station. “This is the third pump I have visited, but I still haven’t been able to get any petrol.”

He urged the authorities and protest leaders to resolve the crisis through dialogue.

“Those in authority should negotiate and accept at least those demands that are reasonable and legitimate so that normal life can resume,” he said.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026

Chief Minister’s aide Shahid Rind said on Friday the provincial government is making arrangements to send the injured doctor overseas for treatment.

He said Dr Mahnoor Nasser is currently undergoing treatment at Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi, where her medical care will continue for another week.

Mr Rind said that after completion of the initial treatment, the injured doctor will be sent to the United States for specialised medical care. He said the provincial government has initiated all necessary procedures in this regard.

He said the Balochistan government is utilising all available resources to ensure the best possible treatment of the injured doctor.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026

GILGIT: The Gilgit-Baltistan Election Commission on Friday notified returned candidates from 21 general constituencies, six reserved seats for women and three technocrat seats, while the election results of three candidates remain suspended under orders of GB Supreme Appellate Court Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Shamim Khan.

According to a notification issued by the Gilgit-Baltistan chief election commissioner, the PPP secured 13 seats, followed by the PML-N with nine, the Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP) with six, the Majlis Wahdat-ul-Muslimeen (MWM) with one and one PTI-backed independent member.

Of the 21 general seats, the PPP won nine seats, while the results of two of its candidates have been suspended by the Supreme Appellate Court. The PML-N secured six seats, the IPP five , and the MWM one , while one constituency was won by an independent candidate.

The Gilgit-Baltistan Supreme Appellate Court Chief Justice heard various election-related petitions concerning PPP candidates Fida Muhammad Nashad from GBA-9 (Skardu), Mohammad Naseem from GBA-17 (Diamer-III), and independent candidate Dilpazeer Khan — who later joined the Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP) — from GBA-15 (Diamer-I).

Mr Nashad, the PPP candidate from GBA-9, was disqualified by the returning officer for failing to declare his assets in his nomination papers.

An election tribunal judge had also upheld the decision to disqualify the candidate; however, he later challenged it in the GB chief court, which allowed him to contest the elections.

According to the regional election commission, he was declared the winner after a recount of votes, and Forms 48 and 49 were issued on Wednesday.

During a hearing, however, the chief justice upheld Mr Nashad’s disqualification and also suspended the release of the election results for the constituency.

In another case, Justice Shamim ordered the suspension of the election result of PPP candidate Mohammad Naseem from GBA-17 (Diamer-III).

On June 15, the GB CEC had issued an order in the candidate’s favour, while the returning officer had issued Forms 48 and 49. However, the decision was challenged by an opposing candidate in the Supreme Appellate Court.

In a separate case, the chief justice suspended the election result of independent candidate Dilpazeer Khan from GBA-15 (Diamer-I), who later joined the IPP.

In all three cases, the chief justice also directed the concerned authorities to keep the results of the constituencies suspended until further court proceedings and final decisions in the cases.

A petition was filed in the court challenging the CEC’s decision to declare Dilpazeer Khan the winner without conducting a re-poll.

Meanwhile, despite an order by the CEC, the consolidated result of GBA-16 (Diamer-II) could not be prepared.

The CEC had directed the returning officer to count the postal ballots and prepare Forms 48 and 49 within one day.

In the meantime, the PPP, despite emerging as the largest party, has so far been unable to finalise an alliance to form a government in Gilgit-Baltistan, as no party has secured a simple majority.

The PML-N has already assured the PPP of its support for government formation. However, the PPP leadership is also holding negotiations with the IPP for a possible coalition.

According to a press release, an important meeting was held between the central and provincial leaderships of the PPP parlia­men­tarians and the IPP. During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on the prevailing political situation, public issues, the interests of Gilgit-Baltistan, and matters rela­ted to government formation in the region.

However, sources said the meeting failed to reach a consensus on a power-sharing formula.

The PPP reportedly insisted on allocating 25 per cent of government positions to the IPP in case of an alliance, while the IPP leadership sought a larger share.

On the other hand, Gilgit-Baltistan CEC Raja Shahbaz Khan has declared the IPP eligible for allocation of reserved seats in the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly, rejecting an appeal filed by the PPP.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026

Chairing a special me­­eting at the Passport and Immigration Headq­uar­te­­rs, Mr Naqvi said the complete transition would eli­minate fraud and forgery.

“The complete transition to e-passports will end fraud and forgery related to passports,” he said.

Director General of Pas­s­ports and Immig­rat­ion Muhammad Ali Randh­awa briefed the minister on the reforms.

The meeting approved in principle to shift to e-passports, though no cutoff date for phasing out old passports was set.

An e-Passport is a hi­­gh­­ly secure travel document with an electronic chip em­­bedded in one of its pa­­ges. The contactless NFC chip securely stores biometric data, facial details, biographical information, a unique identification nu­­mber and a digital signature. The chip allows bord­­er control and smart devi­ces to read data wirelessly.

Pakistan’s e-passports are compliant with the Int­ernational Civil Aviation Organisation’s standards. Pakistani e-passport holders will be able to use e-gate facilities at airports worldwide, reducing immigration queues.

The meeting held on Friday also decided that all passport offices will move to a cashless payment system from July 1, ending manual cash handling at banks.

Mr Randhawa informed the meeting that initial work on the home delivery of passports for citizens in the country and abroad had been completed.

“The process of providing passports at citizens’ doorsteps will start soon,” Mr Naqvi said.

The Pak ID platform will be available to online passport applicants to streamline submissions and cut processing time.

Mr Naqvi directed that the policy for business passports be finalised at the earliest in consultation with the Federal Board of Revenue.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026

ISLAMABAD:The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) on Friday approved a set of rules governing interviews for judicial appointments, amendments to the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (Appointment of Judges) Rules, 2024, and criteria for the nomination of judges to constitutional benches of various high courts.

The meeting was presided over by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi, who also serves as the chairperson of the JCP. The commission considered several agenda items, including the Interviews of Judges Appointment Rules, the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (Judicial Performance Evaluation of High Court Judges) Rules, 2026, amendments to the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (Appointment of Judges) Rules, 2024, and criteria for the nomination of judges to constitutional benches, all of which had been referred back by a committee for the commission’s consideration and decision.

The commission also considered a letter dated June 8, 2026, from the Balochistan Bar Council regarding amendments to the rules and procedures for the substitution of a nominee of a provincial bar council serving as a member of the JCP.

These agenda items had earlier been referred to a five-member JCP committee, which subsequently submitted its reports. The committee comprised Justice Aamer Farooq of the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC), Attorney General for Pakistan Anwar Mansoor Awan, Senator Farooq H Naek, Senator Syed Ali Zafar, and Muhammad Ahsan Bhoon.

During the commission’s meeting on June 12, it was decided that these matters should be placed before the full JCP, including members representing the Federal Shariat Court and all high courts.

Earlier, the committee’s report on the interviews of judges amounted only to a policy decision and did not include a draft rule.

During the same meeting, it was observed that the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (Ap­­pointment of Judges) Rules, 2024, did not specifically provide a procedure for conducting interviews. The issue had come under discussion at the commission’s previous meeting last week (June 12) during deliberations on the assessment of prospective additional judges under the 27th Constitutional Amendment.

Justice Munib Akhtar, a senior judge of the Supreme Court and a member of the JCP, opposed the proposal, arguing that the process would be impracticable, particularly if a large number of candidates were nominated, according to an informed source.

Article 175A(4) of the Constitution requires the JCP to formulate rules regulating its procedure, including the criteria and process for the assessment, evaluation, and determination of the fitness of candidates for judicial appointments.

On Friday, the commission approved the agenda items relating to the Interviews of Judges Appointment Rules, amendments to the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (Appointment of Judges) Rules, 2024, and the criteria for the nomination of judges to constitutional benches, in accordance with the recommendations of the committee constituted for the purpose.

However, the commission deferred consideration of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (Judicial Performance Evaluation of High Court Judges) Rules, 2026.

The commission resolved to seek written comments and suggestions within seven days from the chief justices and the senior-most judges of all high courts who are members of the commission.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026

QUETTA: Opposition lawmakers on Friday opposed the provincial budget during the debate, while treasury and opposition members jointly welcomed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Iran and the United States and praised Pakistan’s role in mediation between the two rivals.

They also paid rich tribute to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir for their contribution to the ceasefire and for initiating negotiations that, they said, were welcomed by the world, enhancing Pakistan’s image as a peacemaker.

However, Balochistan National Party-Awami (BNP-A) President Mir Asad Baloch and JUI-F lawmaker Mir Zabid Reki opposed the budget, alleging that the federal government had reduced Balochistan’s share in the federal development budget and failed to include any major development projects in the federal Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for the province.

The deputy speaker, Ghazala Gola, presided over the session, during which the debate on the provincial budget for 2026–27 continued on the second day. She invited JUI-F lawmaker Mir Zabid Ali Reki to speak on the budget.

Taking the floor, Mr Reki strongly criticised the budget, saying the people of Balochistan were deeply disappointed over their rights. He questioned why the province had transferred Rs60 billion to the federation and said that if revenues from Sui gas and the Saindak project were properly paid, the province would not be facing financial difficulties.

He termed the federal government’s attitude toward Balochistan discriminatory. He pointed out that Rs500 million had been allocated for the MPA fund, while Rs700 million would be provided to deputy commissioners.

BNP-A President Asad Baloch, while speaking at length on the budget presented by the finance minister for the next financial year, highlighted the issues of Balochistan and said the province’s problems had persisted since 2006. He stressed the importance of dialogue to resolve political conflicts.

He criticised the delay in the Na­­tional Finance Commission (NFC) Award, saying the Constitution re­­quires it to be announced every five years.

Referring to the provincial PSDP for the next financial year, he said it was unclear how the government would implement new and ongoing development projects. He further criticised the federal government, holding it responsible for the financial and other issues of Balochistan.

Adviser to the CM, Dr Rubaba Khan Buledi, said the present government had played an effective role at the national level and praised the country’s foreign policy.

Provincial Minister for Irriga­tion Mir Sadiq Umrani described the budget as a national document that belonged equally to both the government and the opposition.

He also praised Pakistan’s role in helping prevent escalation between Iran and the US.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Establishing ethical standards for members of the judiciary, the Supreme Court on Friday ruled that removal from service became justified when a judge’s conduct compromised his or her integrity, undermined the moral authority of the institution and eroded public confidence in the judiciary.

“The moment public confidence in the integrity of a judicial officer is fractured, the fracture runs through the entire structure of the rule of law, undermining the integrity of the judicial institution itself,” emphasised Justice Shahid Wa­­heed, who headed a three-judge bench also comprising Justices Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui.

The bench, which had taken up a set of appeals revolving around the question of preserving the integrity of the judicial institution, observed that the robe of a judge was not stained only by proven corruption; it was “equally darkened by a sustained loss of credibility”.

The appeals were filed by the Lahore High Court (LHC) registrar and an additional district and sessions judge who had served in Mailsi, Vehari district.

The appeals challenged the Jan 17, 2025, ruling of the Punjab Subordinate Judiciary Service Tribunal, Lahore, which had modified the penalty imposed on the judicial officer from removal from service to compulsory retirement, holding that the evidence of corruption was insufficient.

However, the tribunal upheld the charge relating to a tarnished reputation and considering the officer’s length of service, reduced the penalty from removal to compulsory retirement.

In his appeal, the judicial officer soug­­ht complete reinstatement and the expu­ngement of adverse remarks against him.

The LHC registrar, meanwhile, sought a harsher punishment by challenging the tribunal’s ruling before the SC.

‘Strangled his judicial career’

Authored by Justice Waheed, the judgement noted that the court was confronted with the question: what punishment was appropriate for imposing on a judicial officer whose reputation had been found to be tarnished. It also had to determine whether upon the charges being proved, he should be removed from judicial service or compulsorily retired.

Justice Waheed explained that the principle to be applied was that the penalty must be proportionate to “mischief”.

However, in the present case, the “mischief was the loss of public confidence”, the judgement observed, adding that the judicial officer, by compromising his impartiality, had not only “lost public confidence” but had also “strangled his judicial career”.

“The continuation of such a judicial officer in office had become incompatible with the interests of the institution,” it noted.

Justice Waheed explained that compulsory retirement might, in appropriate circumstances, be imposed where the aim was to weed out deadwood or where retention was no longer administratively feasible.

“In any case, compulsory retirement cannot be imposed on a judge of poor reputation, as allowing him to retire

with benefits would suggest that reputation is negotiable, which would defeat the very purpose of the penalty,” Justice Waheed noted.

“As a result, removal from service becomes justified when the conduct affects the integrity of a judge [as well as] the institution’s morality and damages public confidence.”

The verdict stated that the tribunal had seemingly overlooked the distinction that when an ill-reputed or corrupt judge was removed, the judicial institution began to heal because a specific tumour had been excised.

“Under these circumstances, the punishment of removal from service as imposed by the competent authority of the LHC was proportionate to the guilt established,” it noted.

“Thus, the tribunal erred in law by modifying the penalty of removal from service,” the verdict added.

It judgement noted that the tribunal’s reasoning was “unsound and makes out a case of misplaced sympathy”, adding that the position of a judge could not be equated with that of a civil servant, as the standard for a judge was not only being “not guilty” but being “beyond reproach”.

Drawing on Islamic principles, the judgement stated that a judge who lost legal uprightness through conduct that caused public doubt must be removed.

“Keeping a corrupt or unfit official is essentially equivalent to appointing one: both constitute a betrayal of the divine trust associated with authority,” the ju­­dgement noted, citing classical jurists and the principle of fitness for public office.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026

“A peaceful, stable, and economically resilient Afghanistan is essential for the dignified return and sustainable reintegration of Afghan nationals,” the PM said in his message on the World Refugees Day which will be observed on June 20, Saturday.

He said on the World Refugees Day, Pakistan joined the international community in expressing solidarity with refugees around the world.

PM Shehbaz said that globally, the day is observed to promote compassion for refugees and to raise awareness of the hardships they endure.

“For Pakistan, however, this is not merely a sentiment expressed on a particular day; it reflects a humanitarian commitment that our nation has demonstrated in practice for nearly half a century,” he said.

After events of 1979, he said, millions of Afghans sought refuge in Pakistan to escape conflict and insecurity.

Despite its limited resources, Pakistan opened not only its borders but also its heart to them and to their generations providing care and support.

In keeping with its humanitarian traditions, Pakistan established refugee settlements and camps and, for more than four decades, remained among the world’s largest refugee-hosting countries and several generations of Afghan families lived in Pakistan with dignity.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026