In its review of the federal budget 2026-27, Fitch said Pakistan was maintaining a clear commitment to fiscal discipline under the International Monetary Fund programme by targeting a primary surplus of 2pc of GDP and an overall deficit of 3.6pc of GDP. This follows a strong FY26 performance, with a projected primary surplus of 2.5pc of GDP, driven by aggressive spending cuts and a provincial surplus of 1.1pc of GDP, exceeding its expectations.

Amid revenue challenges, fiscal consolidation has relied heavily on expenditure compression, particularly cuts to capital spending, as in FY26, Fitch noted.

While this has supported short-term deficit reduction, it will be difficult to sustain as a medium-term strategy. “Persistently low capex may weigh on medium-term economic growth, limit future revenue mobilisation, and complicate debt dynamics”, it said, adding that the scope for further reductions was narrowing, heightening the trade-off between fiscal adjustment and growth as spending pressures rise from a suppressed base.

Praises fiscal discipline, but sees FY27 tax revenue target challenging

On the other hand, it says that the policy momentum of fiscal consolidation improves near-term fiscal prospects, but Pakistan remains relatively vulnerable to inflation and under-performance on tax collection. Therefore, Fitch’s fiscal projections remain more cautious than the government’s, highlighting risks around the key targets.

It noted that achieving the FY27 primary surplus will depend on sustained revenue over-performance relative to historical trends, which are challenging given structural weaknesses in tax administration and a limited pipeline of new tax measures.

Federal tax collections in FY26 are officially projected to be 0.7 percentage points of GDP below target, underscoring persistent challenges in meeting ambitious revenue goals. The FY27 tax revenue target (10.6pc of GDP) would be a record, building on improved collection in FY26. Non-tax revenues, including profit transfers from the State Bank of Pakistan, are, meanwhile, set to decline in FY27.

The reliance on a large provincial surplus is another source of uncertainty, given historical variability and coordination challenges between federal and provincial governments, Fitch observed.

Interest costs remain structurally elevated due to Pakistan’s large stock of short-maturity domestic debt and high market yields. A rising policy rate as inflation rises due to higher world energy costs compounds the risk of overspending on interest payments.

The FY27 budget’s interest/revenue ratio, projected at 39.1pc is substantially above the median 12.1pc of ‘B-rated peers. This limits fiscal flexibility and crowds out priority spending, forming a weakness in Pakistan’s rating of ‘B-’ with a stable outlook.

Pakistan’s overall fiscal deficit at 3.6pc of GDP in FY27 also remains larger than the ‘B’ rating median of 3pc.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2026

LAHORE: The Punjab government on Tuesday unveiled a scaled-down Rs752 billion Annual Development Programme (ADP) for the next fiscal year, down about 40 per cent from last year’s Rs1,240bn, after surrendering Rs749bn to the national exchequer, with social sectors receiving the largest share of development spending, followed by infrastructure and production-related sectors.

The social sector leads with Rs333.66bn. Infrastructure development has been allocated Rs117.24bn, followed by the production sector with Rs103.25bn, services with Rs86.08bn, governance and law and order with Rs72.95bn, and climate with Rs38.82bn.

Of the Rs333.66bn earmarked for the social sector, Local Government and Community Development gets the highest allocation of Rs115.5bn, followed by Water and Sanitation with Rs62.76bn.

Major allocations within the social sector include Rs43.1bn for Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education, Rs33.2bn for Health and Population, Rs30.5bn for Higher Education and Rs25.3bn for School Education.

Sports and Youth Affairs has been allocated Rs5.5bn, while Literacy and Non-Formal Education and Special Education have been allocated Rs3.8bn and Rs3.7bn, respectively. Human Rights and Minority Affairs will receive Rs3bn, Women Development Rs2.5bn, and Social Welfare as well as Auqaf and Religious Affairs Rs2bn each. Emergency Services, Rescue 1122, has been allocated Rs800m.

Infrastructure development is the second-largest component of the ADP, with an allocation of Rs117.24bn. The Communication and Works Department will receive the largest share of Rs74.1bn for road networks and public infrastructure projects, while Irrigation has been allocated Rs30bn, highlighting the importance of water management and agricultural support.

Housing, Urban Development and Public Health Engineering will receive Rs8.84bn and the energy sector Rs4.3bn.

The production sector has been allocated Rs103.25bn, reflecting the government’s emphasis on economic growth and productivity. Agriculture commands the largest share within the sector, receiving Rs60bn, reaffirming its pivotal role in Punjab’s economy.

Other key allocations include Rs16.65bn for Industries, Commerce and Investment, Rs12.56bn for Skills Development and Entrepreneurship, Rs6.75bn for Livestock and Dairy Development and Rs6bn for Tourism, Archaeology and Museums. Food Safety and Consumer Protection has been allocated Rs900m, while Mines and Minerals will receive Rs390m.

The services sector has been allocated Rs86.08bn, with transport accounting for the bulk of the amount at Rs78.5bn. Information and Culture will receive Rs6.7bn, Labour and Human Resource Development Rs630m, and Cooperatives Rs250m.

To address environmental challenges, the government has allocated Rs38.82bn to the climate and ecology sector. Of this amount, Rs15.42bn has been earmarked for Environment and Climate Change, Rs15.3bn for Aquaculture and Fisheries, and Rs8.1bn for Forestry and Wildlife.

These investments are aimed at promoting environmental conservation, climate adaptation and sustainable natural resource management across the province.

Another Rs72.95bn has been allocated to governance, law and order to improve public administration and institutional capacity.

The largest allocations under this head include Rs25.35bn for Planning and Development, Rs18.95bn for the Board of Revenue and Rs12.88bn for Police.

Other allocations comprise Rs3.12bn for Services and General Administration, Rs3bn for the Judiciary, Rs2.43bn for Finance, Rs2.2bn for Law and Parliamentary Affairs and Rs2bn for the Home Department.

The remaining funds include Rs1.06bn for the provincial assembly, Rs830m each for Public Prosecution and Information Technology and Innovation, Rs200m for Excise and Taxation and Rs100m for Management and Professional Development.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2026

The Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue, chaired by Saleem Mandviwalla, continued its clause-by-clause review of the Finance Bill 2026.

Responding to Senator Faisal Vawda’s allegations, Special Assistant to PM on Industries Haroon Akhtar Khan appeared before the committee with Federal Minister for Science and Technology Khalid Magsi.

Mr Akhtar said members had the right to question the ministry but criticised “one-sided allegations”. Mr Vawda said his claims were based on official documents and he would apologise if proven wrong. He later shifted his claim, stating delays in commercial import of used vehicles caused a Rs125bn loss to the exchequer over eight months.

Panel seeks zero tax on stationery for educational purposes

The special assistant noted Mr Vawda had moved from “corruption” to “revenue loss”. Minister Khalid Magsi assured the committee of an investigation. The committee recommended withdrawal of the Engineering Development Board notification on quality compliance for used vehicle imports. The committee proposed abolishing sales tax on educational stationery, arguing it raises household education costs. Senator Mohsin Aziz called for reducing the rate to zero.

The committee also recommended bringing exporters under the Final Tax Regime (FTR) and further rationalising the tax structure to support export-led growth and foreign exchange earnings.

Javed Balwani of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry urged placing exporters under FTR at 1pc. Senator Mohsin Aziz supported it and questioned the delay. Senator Talha Mahmood opposed even 1pc advance tax, warning it would hurt exports. “If you want taxes instead of foreign exchange, impose 45pc and destroy the economy,” he said, demanding 0.5pc and vowing to oppose any higher rate.

Senator Abdul Qadir complained FBR was not releasing refunds, contested by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb who said payments were being made. Mr Talha criticised the process as a “muk muka programme”. Mr Balwani said the FASTER system had improved refund disbursement versus last year.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue, chaired by MNA Naveed Qamar, called for fair taxation, proportionate enforcement and stronger safeguards for taxpayers.

It expressed concern over steep penalties, expanded enforcement powers and the continued reliance on advance and withholding taxes.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2026

The ECC meeting, presided over by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, also approved more than Rs9.557 billion in supplementary grants for the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control, only days after the federal budget was presented in the National Assembly.

Informed sources said the ECC allowed the continuation of Engro Vopak Terminal’s lease for another 30 years “without competitive procurement only because the government was left with no option”.

A refusal to extend the lease at this stage would have caused disruption to bulk chemical and LPG handling and storage, while a competitive process for new investors could have taken six months to a year. EVTL handles more than 55pc of the country’s chemical and LPG requirements.

An official said a better deal had been negotiated with Engro Vopak, ending its exclusive rights and allowing any other investor to build a petrochemical complex.

He said questions raised by Minister for Investment Qaiser Ahmad Shaikh had also been responded to, and the ECC decided to investigate why the process was not initiated in advance as required under the legal framework, including the agreement with Engro Vopak, leading to a stage where disruption to chemical handling had become economically unviable.

“Responsibility has to be fixed,” a participant told Dawn.

“Many questions still remain and mostly relate to legal issues,” said the official, as the Ministry of Finance again kept the ECC decision on Vopak secret while releasing other decisions.

The ECC approved a request of the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control for a supplementary grant of Rs2.193bn for the Nadra-TDP-ERP/KP-CCSDP project — a World Bank-funded scheme meant to continue operations of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Citizen-Centred Service Delivery Project for child health, vital registrations and emergency safety nets.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2026

Damaged energy infrastructure meant supply chains would take time to return to normal, after the conflict pushed inflation back into double digits, Mr Aurangzeb said.

“We were looking at how we manage the second, third-order impact in case this conflict continues,” he said. “The energy infrastructure has been hit. And therefore, it will take time before we return to normalcy in terms of supply chains.”

He added, “I do see upsides in what we have projected for next year,” but cautioned it would be “way too premature” to revise the budget.

Pakistan’s FY27 budget, presented in parliament on Friday, targets growth of four per cent and inflation of 8.2pc. It raised defence spending 18pc to Rs3 trillion ($10.8bn), while relying on higher tax revenue to keep a $7bn IMF programme on track.

Islamabad may use commercial borrowing in 2026-27 to change its creditor pro­file without increasing external debt, Mr Aur­a­ngzeb added in comments on Monday.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2026

All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association (APSGJA) has also not issued the daily gold rates on Tuesday because trading activities were suspended.

APSGJA President Qasim Shikarpuri told a press conference at Liberty Chowk on Tariq Road on Tuesday that the FBR is pressurising mainly bullion traders to pay 500-600 per cent more in taxes, which is highly unjustified, as traders have already been paying their taxes regularly.

When asked whether a number of jewellery shops in various markets of the city were open despite the strike call, he claimed that the entire Karachi was shut, along with a number of jewellery shops in Hyderabad, Nawab Shah and Peshawar.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2026

KARACHI: The Pakis­t­an Stock Exchange (PSX) extended its recovery rally on Tuesday, with the benchmark KSE-100 index surging more than 3,350 points to reclaim the 180,000 level for the first time since February, as investors snapped up blue-chip stocks amid improving global sentiment and easing concerns over regional tensions.

The market’s upbeat performance followed the State Bank of Pakistan’s decision to keep its policy rate unchanged at 11.5 per cent despite persistent inflationary pressures. Investor confidence was further strengthened by declining international oil prices and reports of a peace memorandum signed by the US and Iran, which raised hopes of reduced geopolitical risks and an improved economic outlook.

The KSE-100 index remained firmly in positive territory throughout the session. It touched an intraday high of 3,463 points before closing at 180,393, up 3,353 points, or 1.89pc, from the previous session.

Analysts said falling crude oil prices continued to bolster expectations of lower inflation and an improved external account position, encouraging investors to increase exposure to equities. Market participants also viewed the easing of regional tensions as supportive of economic stability and investor confidence.

According to Topline Securities, aggressive buying emerged across key sectors as favourable global cues lifted sentiment. The brokerage house noted that hopes surrounding the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran, reportedly expected later this week, further enhanced risk appetite.

Heavyweight stocks played a central role in driving the rally. Shares of United Bank Ltd, Engro Holdings, Bank AL Habib, National Bank of Pakistan and Pakistan Petroleum Ltd were the leading contributors to the index’s advance, collectively adding around 1,663 points.

Trading activity also strengthened significantly, reflecting broad-based participation. Total traded volume rose 23.48pc to 1.224 billion shares, while the value of shares traded increased 10.61pc to Rs70.2 billion.

Lotte Chemical Pakistan Ltd led the volume chart, with approximately 108 million shares changing hands.

Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Ltd, said the PSX maintained its bullish momentum as investors continued to favour banking and cyclical stocks following the central bank’s decision to leave interest rates unchanged.

He noted that sentiment was further supported by improving macroeconomic indicators, easing regional tensions and expectations of softer oil prices, all of which could positively influence Pakistan’s inflation trajectory and external sector outlook.

Investors remained active across a broad range of sectors, underlining confidence in the market’s near-term prospects.

Analysts expect positive momentum to persist in the coming sessions, supported by a stable interest-rate environment, improving macroeconomic conditions and lower oil prices. However, they cautioned that intermittent profit-taking may emerge following the market’s recent strong gains.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2026

Prices, which were already down about 4pc Tuesday morning, extended those losses following a Wall Street Journal report that the US would allow Iran to immediately begin selling oil and fuel under the memorandum of understanding.

Brent crude futures fell $4.25, or 5.1pc, to $78.92 a barrel at 12:02pm ET (1602 GMT). US West Texas Intermediate crude fell $4.80, or 5.9pc, to $75.95.

The drop put Brent on track for its lowest close since March 2 and kept it in technically oversold territory for a third day in a row for the first time since

October 2025. WTI was on track for its lowest close since March 4.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2026

According to a PHF statement issued on Tuesday, all provincial sports departments, educational institutions, universities, district sports authorities and hockey associations have been directed to begin preparations for the upcoming season.

The federation said the new domestic programme aims to strengthen Pakistan’s hockey structure at the grassroots level by providing competitive opportunities and a clear development pathway for boys, girls, junior, women and senior players.

Special emphasis will be placed on identifying young talent through school, district and provincial-level competitions.

The PHF urged schools, colleges, universities and district and provincial hockey associations to ensure quality participation by launching player registration drives, talent-hunt programmes, coaching camps and inter-school and inter-district tournaments well before the start of the competitions.

The federation said the revival of national hockey and the restoration of Pakistan’s standing at the international level required active involvement from educational institutions and provincial sports structures.

It advised provincial authorities to maintain close coordination with schools and colleges to facilitate participation in national competitions, particularly the Under-15, Under-21 and women’s championships.

Detailed competition regulations and player eligibility criteria for all events will be issued separately by the PHF competition department in the coming weeks.

Domestic hockey calendar:

July 2-11, 2026: National Women’s Hockey Championship

Nov 12-22, 2026: National Under-15 Boys & Girls Hockey Championship

Jan 2-12, 2027: National Under-21 Hockey Cham­pionship

National Under-21 Hockey Championship: Naval Cup (Senior Men)

April 5-15, 2027: Chief of Army Staff Hockey Cham­pionship

April 25-May 5, 2027: National Bank Gold Cup.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2026

“Wow! 1 million fans in stadiums!,” Infantino wrote on Instagram.

“A huge thank you to all our passionate supporters who continue to fill the stadiums — you have brought the most inclusive FIFA World Cup to life.”

The expanded 48-team World Cup kicked off last Thursday and 16 of the scheduled 104 matches have been played.

The run-up to the tournament had been marked by fierce criticism of the price of tickets for matches, as well as visa restrictions impacting fans from certain countries entering the US.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2026

Marsh arrived in Chattogram leading a significantly different squad from the one that featured in the ODIs, with several senior T20 specialists drafted in.

“We’ve got a big changeover in personnel, and the guys are really looking forward to this series,” Marsh told reporters.

“It’s been a tough tour, but we’re going in with high hopes, to hopefully win this series — and play some really good cricket,” he said.

Marsh, who missed the earlier Pakistan series and the Bangladesh ODIs through injury, returns to lead the team.

Power-hitter Tim David and all-rounder Aaron Hardie strengthen the touring party, while uncapped all-rounder Nikhil Chaudhary joins the squad.

Australia struggled against Bangladesh’s pace-heavy attack in the ODIs, losing the first two matches before salvaging some pride with a narrow win in the final match in Mirpur.

Marsh said the return of experienced campaigners gives his side better balance, singling out David for praise as “experienced and really confident in his ability”.

Bangladesh have their own selection headaches.

Captain Litton Das remains in doubt for Wednesday’s opener after sustaining a muscle tear in the final ODI, while Parvez Hossain Emon is being monitored for a fever.

Left-hander Soumya Sarkar is set to join the squad.

“I am better than I was before,” Litton said, adding that he hoped to play.

The remaining T20s will be held in Chattogram on June 19 and 21.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2026

Chasing 151, Sri Lanka recovered from a precarious 55 for 4 after a top-order collapse triggered by disciplined New Zealand bowling. Silva anchored the innings with remarkable composure, first rebuilding with Kavisha Dilhari in a crucial 50-run stand, and later guiding the chase alongside Kaushini Nuthyangana to seal victory with two balls to spare.

Earlier, New Zealand posted 150 for 6 after opting to bat. Skipper Amelia Kerr (45) and Sophie Devine (45) anchored the innings with key partnerships, while Maddy Green’s late flourish pushed the total to a competitive score. Sri Lanka’s bowlers kept a tight grip, sharing wickets evenly to restrict momentum.

Despite early breakthroughs and sharp fielding, New Zealand faltered under pressure in the final overs as Silva’s calm presence turned the tide. The result marked Sri Lanka’s first-ever T20I win over New Zealand in women’s cricket and extended the White Ferns’ losing streak in the tournament.

Silva was named Player of the Match for her match-winning 54 not out.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2026

Williams and Czech doubles partner Karolina Muchova fell to Mexico’s Giuliana Olmos and Erin Routliffe, of New Zealand, 6-4, 6-4. The duo lost the opening set after Williams was broken in her second service game. They were broken on Muchova’s serve midway through the second set and failed to find a way back into the contest.

Serena won her first match back at Queen’s Club last Monday, but her tournament ended due to an injury to doubles partner Victoria Mboko.

The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion stepped away from tennis in 2022 but announced a comeback earlier in June, saying her decision came from a desire to play in front of her two young daughters.

Showing glimpses of the powerful game that allowed her to dominate women’s tennis for two decades, Williams understandably lacked rhythm.

She got better as the match went on, improving her footwork and showing the powerful serve and trademark forehand which were cornerstones of her game.

With one final singles wildcard slot remaining for Wimbledon, which starts on June 29, speculation has grown Williams could also make an individual return.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2026

Lamouchi, the first coaching casualty of the tournament, was appointed in January on a contract until 2028. He leaves the post with matches to come against Japan on Saturday and the Netherlands on June 25.

Tunisia won just one of their five games under Lamouchi, beating Haiti 1-0 in March, while losing 1-0 to Austria and being thrashed 5-0 by Belgium in a pair of World Cup warm-up matches this month.

In a statement on social media on Tuesday, the TFT said Renard would take charge until the end of Tunisia’s World Cup campaign.

“The agreement also stipulates that negotiations will be opened after the World Cup campaign to consider a long-term partnership based on specific sporting objectives,” it added.

Renard, twice an Africa Cup of Nations winner, coached Saudi Arabia at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and led them to a famous victory over eventual champions Argentina in the group stage.

He left to coach the French women’s team at the World Cup in 2023 and the Paris Olympics, before returning to Saudi Arabia and helping the men’s side qualify for a third successive World Cup. He was then replaced by Georgios Donis in the build-up to the tournament.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2026

Black Caps captain Tom Latham confirmed Nicholls has been chosen ahead of Will Young for the daunting task of filling the void left by Williamson, who is New Zealand’s all-time leading run scorer across all formats.

Nicholls, 34, made the last of his 58 Test appearances against Zimbabwe 11 months ago.

“It’s a really exciting opportunity for him to come back into the side in a role, at three, that he’s been doing for Canterbury at home,” Latham told reporters on Tuesday.

“I think the good thing with Henry is he’s always been able to adapt to situations. He’s pretty much batted from the top to the middle throughout his international career, and he’ll do whatever is required for the team.”

Williamson’s decision to step away in the middle of the series is a huge blow to New Zealand after their 115-run thrashing at Lord’s.

But Latham insisted there was no ill-will among the squad towards the 35-year-old.

“For him to acknowledge that he’s not quite right, or that he can’t necessarily give 100 per cent, is testament to the player that he is, but also the person that he is as well,” Latham said.

“We’re obviously gutted not to have him, but we also acknowledge what he’s done for this group over a long period of time.

“We’re certainly behind him and we’ll wish him all the best for what the next chapter holds.”

Latham confirmed that opener Devon Conway was “good to go” after jetting home between Tests to attend the birth of his second child.

Matt Henry, who was reduced to a peripheral role at Lord’s due to back spasms, joined his team-mates at Tuesday’s net session in a bid to prove his fitness.

Meanwhile, Joe Root says he is taking the England captaincy on a “game-by-game basis” after replacing the exiled Ben Stokes for the second Test.

With Stokes left out of the squad for the second Test after breaking a midnight curfew along with team-mate Gus Atkinson, Root agreed to skipper England for the first time since 2022.

Root led England in a record 64 matches before being replaced by Stokes once the leadership role took a heavy toll on his form and peace of mind. England won just one of their last 17 Tests prior to Root stepping down as captain.

The 35-year-old batsman believes he is in a “different place” now, making him confident he will be able to lift the mood around the England squad after a turbulent period.

“I never thought I’d be sat here talking to you guys as England captain again. Zero chance... 0.1 percent,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

“The only thinking that came to my mind is what is the best thing for this team, is it going to have a big effect on me and my personal life and which outweighed the other.

“The fact is it felt like it was the right thing to take this on, so I tried to make it as simple as that. I think I am in a very different place to when I finished.

“To be captaining this group of players is a really exciting opportunity.

He added, “It’s a game-by-game basis, I think. Let’s not look beyond this week.”

England head coach Brendon McCullum refused to be drawn on Stokes’ status ahead of the second Test.

Amid an England and Wales Cricket Board investigation into the late-night incident, McCullum on Monday said he was concerned about Stokes’ well-being.

Root, who is a close friend of the all-rounder, could lead England again in the third Test at Trent Bridge, which begins just three days after the scheduled finish at the Oval.

“I’ve spoken to him a number of times over the last week or so,” Root said of Stokes. “We’re close friends and I think they should stay as privileged conversations between me and him.

“When it comes to how Ben’s feeling, how he is, I think they’re all questions that he should be answering himself. I’m sure, at the right time and when he’s ready, he will.”

Asked if Stokes could command the same authority after flouting a curfew he helped bring in, Root added: “I’m sure he has this respect of everyone in our dressing room. He’s been a phenomenal leader for the last four years and the way he’s captained been brilliant.”

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2026

“The Board will not be disclosing how many contracts sit within each track. The number and distribution of contracts is a selection matter, reviewed each cycle and not a fixed public figure,” the PCB stated in a document, given to the media during Monday’s press conference held in Lahore to announce new measures aimed at arresting the decline of Pakistan cricket.

A detailed information about PCB’s new policy on central contracts was also announced during the said presser.

It is pertinent to mention here that since taking office in 2024, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has also halted the publication of the Board’s financial statements on the PCB website — documents that previously detailed expenditures across all departments, including those of the chairman’s office. It is relevant to recall that the PCB last published its financial statements three years ago.

Unfortunately, the stance adopted by the incumbent PCB regime continues a trend of limiting public access to information. Earlier, some ten years ago, the PCB had also discontinued the practice of allowing the media to witness players’ fitness tests, a measure that had served as a form of independent scrutiny of the process.

Now, the PCB has decided not to reveal the number of contracts allocated to each category or the names of players placed in those categories. It will be the first time such information is withheld from both media as well as public.

During Monday’s press conference, Mohsin and senior PCB officials were asked whether players’ fitness assessments could once again be conducted in the presence of media.

Responding to the question, PCB medical officer Dr Javed Mughal said open fitness testing would not be appropriate due to concerns related to safety and security of the players.

The decline in Pakistan cricket has reached alarming levels during Mohsin’s two-and-a-half-year tenure. Critics argue that Monday’s press conference offered little in the way of a fresh roadmap to address the national team’s ongoing struggles in international competitions.

During the briefing, PCB officials said players would have to meet three-pronged criteria to earn selection for the national team: maintain required fitness standards, participate in domestic cricket and deliver consistent performances.

However, these benchmarks ­ — a rational follower of the game can note without any effort — have long been part of the selection process, leading many observers to term the announcement of the new system announced by the PCB as the same old policies being presented in a new package.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2026

Zverev, who recently claimed his first Grand Slam title at the French Open, looked in control as he took the opening set comfortably. But Kopriva, ranked 64th, hit back to level the match, as he won a late break point and then claimed the second set, pushing the match to a decider.

Kopriva finished the second set with 14 winners, while Zverev finished with 11, before the German regrouped and closed out a 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 victory to start his grass season with a win.

That sets up an all-German clash with Yannick Hanfmann in the next round. He defeated rising Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca 6-2, 6-2 in the first round.

Earlier, Italian qualifier Mattia Bellucci produced a clinical display to knock out Bublik 7-6(8/6), 6-1 in just 75 minutes. The world number 74 outplayed the seventh-seeded Kazakh on his preferred grass surface.

Bublik, a champion in Halle in 2023 and 2025, also missed an opportunity to strengthen his push towards the top 10 following the defeat.

Bellucci will next face Belgiums Raphael Collignon for a place in the quarter-finals.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2026

But the Black Stars were dealt an early blow after midfielder Thomas Partey’s visa application to enter Canada was refused, leaving him unavailable for the Group ‘L’ match at the Toronto Stadium.

Ghana sit 73rd in FIFA rankings after a stretch of poor showings that included their failure to qualify for last year’s Africa Cup of Nations, though they topped their World Cup qualifying group.

The four-times AFCON champions have tapped veteran Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz to help turn the tide and guide the country to the knockout stage for the first time since 2010, when they bowed out in the quarter-finals after a penalty shootout loss to Uruguay.

Queiroz has plenty of individual talent at his disposal but has had limited time to get his squad ready since taking the job in April.

With the team’s talisman Mohammed Kudus missing the World Cup due to injury, Ghana will count on Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo to lead a strong attack.

After signing with the club in January, the 26-year-old netted 11 goals across all competitions, including the winner against Chelsea in the FA Cup final.

Panama are making their second World Cup appearance after showing great improvement under coach Thomas Christiansen. Since taking the reins in July 2020, the 53-year-old Dane has helped the country climb the FIFA rankings from 81st to 34th.

They finished runners-up to Mexico in last year’s CONCACAF Nations League after beating the US in the semi-finals, though they were knocked out of the Gold Cup quarter-finals by Honduras in a major upset.

Central America’s only representative aim to showcase their progress as they hunt for their first World Cup win. They finished bottom of Group ‘G’ with three defeats in their tournament debut in 2018.

Christiansen will rely on Pumas UNAM midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla and 2025 Gold Cup top scorer Ismael Diaz to lead the charge.

Sitting in a group that includes heavyweights England and Croatia, both Ghana and Panama face an uphill battle to reach the knockout stage. But Panama’s Diaz said his team has belief and confidence.

“We’re not afraid of anyone,” Diaz told reporters on Saturday. “Whatever team comes up against us, we want to compete with them.”

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2026

Speaking at a presser along with the chairman of the Baloch Students Organisation (BSO), Balaach Qadir Baloch, he said that a “bogus FIR” had been filed against BSO leaders and other activists during the July 26, 2024, gathering of the Raji Muchi in Gwadar.

They said the gathering, organised by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, was attended by families of missing persons and other participants, but alleged that obstacles were deliberately created to disrupt it. According to the leaders, Balaach Qadir was not even present at the event, yet he and his associates were booked in what they termed fabricated cases. They said the case had initially been under trial in Gwadar courts, but was shifted to Quetta’s Hudda Jail six months ago.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2026

An official press release issued by the Forensic Union for the Protection of Human Rights (UFDU) on Saturday said the award is presented annually to a lawyer who, through his or her professional commitment, has made an extraordinary contribution to the defence of human rights. The award ceremony took place in Rome, at the Parlamentino Hall of the National Bar Council.

The press release noted that throughout his career, Mr Chattha has represented people accused of blasphemy, victims of sexual violence and enforced disappearances, and death row inmates. Ms Mazari, meanwhile, has “distinguished herself by providing legal assistance to victims of violence and persecution and by supporting vulnerable religious and ethnic communities”, it said.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2026

In a policy brief titled From Ena­ctment to Enforcement: Strengthening Balochistan’s Right to Information Act to Counter Disinformation, Fafen urged the Balochistan Assembly and the provincial government to amend the law to ensure effective implementation of the right guaranteed under Article 19A of the Constitution.

The brief is part of Fafen’s “Countering Disinformation through Reliable Government Information” campaign, which argues that proactive, accessible and verifiable publication of official data is a more effective response to disinformation than punitive regulation.

Fafen acknowledged the Act provides a sound statutory base and broad definitions of “information” and “public body”. But it said effectiveness is limited by definitional ambiguities, narrow disclosure requirements, weak penalties for non-compliance, delays in operationalising the Balochistan Information Commission, inadequate inspection powers, and the commission’s financial dependence on the government.

To widen access, Fafen proposed expanding definitions of “applicant” and “public body” to include legal persons registered in the country and private institutions receiving public funds, subsidies, tax concessions or rebates. It also called for clear definitions of the right to information and creation of an official information web portal.

The watchdog said public bodies should be required to disclose decision-making processes, the basis for key decisions, and avenues for public input. Annual compliance reports should be submitted to the Speaker of the provincial assembly in addition to the Information Commission to allow legislative oversight.

Fafen recommended whistleblower protection for people who in good faith disclose evidence of corruption, wrongdoing, maladministration or legal non-compliance.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2026

“The practical effect of such a levy is that a person owning a non-income-generating asset may be compelled to dispose of the asset to meet tax liability,” observed Chief Justice FCC Aminuddin Khan.

The judgement came on the day when parliament was debating the finance bill 2026, which includes proposals to implement the May 7 short order in which the FCC had declared Section 7E ultra vires. This section, introduced through the Finance Act 2022, empowered authorities to charge tax on “deemed incomes” on assets and properties.

The levy under section 7E operates in a discriminatory manner as it carves out exemptions in favour of certain classes of persons, thereby subjecting similarly placed taxpayers to unequal treatment, emphasised the CJ. The detailed reasons noted that the provision does not withstand constitutional scrutiny since it falls outside the legislative competence of the federal legislature.

Justice Aminuddin notes tax raises legitimate concerns regarding excessive fiscal burden, economic redundancy

“Where a levy is structured in a manner that taxes both the source of acquisition and thereafter the asset itself without reference to income generation, it raises legitimate concerns regarding excessive fiscal burden and economic redundancy,” observed Justice Aminuddin Khan, who had headed a two-judge Supreme Court that decided several petitions filed by a number of taxpayers against the judgements of the Sindh High Court (SHC) and the Lahore High Court (LHC) as well as the Federal Board of Revenue/Commissioner Inland Revenue (CIR).

The detailed reasons noted that subsequent to the 18th Amendment, similar disputes had assumed increased frequency, primarily owing to overlapping assertions of fiscal authority by the federation and the provinces.

The consequence, in a number of such cases, is that the taxpayer is compelled to engage in unnecessary and protracted litigation, often being exposed to the risk of double taxation in respect of similar subject matter.

This state of affairs not only places an undue and disproportionate financial burden upon taxpayers, but also results in avoidable strain upon the constitutional jurisdiction of the superior courts, manifested through a proliferation of constitutional petitions, CJ-FCC regretted.

Such a course is neither conducive to fiscal certainty nor consistent with principles of fairness and orderly tax administration.

Though the legislature is competent to classify persons or properties for the purposes of taxation, such classification must satisfy the test of reasonableness, the FCC said.

Where exemptions are granted without any discernible principle, or where the classification is arbitrary, artificial, or discriminatory in effect, the same cannot withstand constitutional scrutiny, the FCC emphasised.

He said Section 7 E was violative of the fundamental right guaranteed under Article 23 of the Constitution, which secures to every citizen the right to acquire, hold, and dispose of property.

Before concluding, the FCC also settled the objection regarding the constitution of the bench, contending, with reference to the Supreme Court Rules, 1980, that the present matter ought to have been heard by a bench comprising not less than three judges, whereas the case was being adjudicated by a two-judge bench, allegedly in violation of the applicable procedural framework adopted by the FCC.

While overruling, the FCC explained the objection was devoid of substance since after its establishment, it had adopted the Supreme Court Rules 1980 and accordingly modified Order XI through Dec 2025 notification.

It is a settled principle that the constitution of benches is the exclusive prerogative of the chief justice, who is the master of the roster, the judgement said, adding that in the absence of any express statutory or constitutional mandate requiring a bench of a specified numerical strength for the adjudication of the present lis, a bench comprising two members cannot be held to be incompetent.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2026

The committee discus­sed in detail steps to promote inter-sect harmony and religious tolerance during the holy month.

It said that action would be taken against those spreading incitement and sectarianism on social me­­dia. Mr Naqvi said that mai­ntaining strong and per­manent contact with Ulema was among the ministry’s priorities.

“The Paigham-i-Pakis­tan Committee will be made active and effective down to the district level,” he said, adding that public awareness against terrorism and extremism in the light of Quran and Sunnah was the need of the hour.

“There is no room in Islam for rebellion against the state and spreading chaos.

Ulema should guide the public in this regard,” he said.

The minister announ­ced that a coordinator would be appointed for the peace committee.

“Maintaining law and order during Muharram is our collective responsibility,” he said.

Mr Naqvi credited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif with leading Pakistan’s role in Iran-US negotiations and said Field Marshal General Syed Asim Munir played a key role “as captain on the ground”.

The meeting was attended by religious scholars Allama Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, Senator Hafiz Abdul Karim, Mufti Abdul Raheem, Allama Arif Hussain Wahidi, Pir Naqeeb ur Rehman, Allama Muhammad Hussain Akbar, Dr Muhammad Raghib Hussain Naeemi, Maulana Tayyab Qureshi, Allama Ziaullah Shah Bukhari, Bishop Azad Marshall, Rajesh Kumar Hirdasani and Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2026

According to a CTD spo­kesperson, security personnel launched the operation after receiving credible intelligence regarding the presence and acti­­vities of terrorists allegedly involved in planning terrorist attacks in Punjab.

As the CTD team moved in, the suspected terrorists reportedly opened fire, trig­­gering an intense exchange of gunfire with law enforcement personnel.

The spokesperson said CTD officers responded effectively, resulting in the killing of all five individuals. A cache of weapons, explosive material and hand grenades was recovered from the site following the operation.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the slain individuals were allegedly linked to plans for carrying out terrorist activities in Punjab, the spokesperson said.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Noting the disturbing insta­nces of abuse against women, the Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that using litigation to harass, humiliate, or harm a woman’s reputation constitutes abussssssssssssse against women.

Heading a three-judge bench hearing a marital dispute, Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi regretted that frivolous proceedings, false criminal allegations and unwarranted character attacks during judicial processes operate in a manner that seeks to exert pressure, create stigma, and compel compliance through intimidation.

“The Supreme Court is not oblivious to the disturbing instances of abuse against women that continue to come to light across the country,” Justice Afridi noted in a judgement he authored.

The CJP-led bench, which also comprised Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, issued the judgement on a petition filed by Mr Sultan against a 2018 ruling of the Peshawar High Court (PHC). The case stemmed from a marital dispute that had legally ended more than a decade ago but continued to cast a shadow over the life of Roshi Zeb, the divorced wife and respondent.

The SC observed the issue was not the legality of the khula (dissolution of marriage) but Sultan’s persistent refusal to accept the lawful dissolution of the marriage and use of legal proceedings to “harass the respondent” for exercising her legal rights.

During family court proceedings, it noted, the petitioner had failed to comply with interim custody orders and labelled the respondent a woman of ‘loose character’ after she accused him of beating her and forcibly expelling her from the matrimonial home while retaining the custody of their four-year-old daughter.

Despite the khula decree, according to the judgement, the petitioner refused to accept the finality of the divorce. After the respondent completed her iddat period and remarried, he launched a fresh round of litigation, including an application under Section 22-A of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) seeking registration of a criminal case against her. He alleged she remained his lawful wife and had contracted a second marriage while the first marriage was still subsisting. He also made baseless allegations concerning the respondent’s sister.

Both writ petitions filed by the petitioner before the PHC were dismissed in February 2018, yet he continued what the court described as a campaign of harassment.

The nine-page judgement explained that given the vulnerabilities faced by women in society, such conduct undermined their social standing and professional opportunities and had a chilling effect on their access to legal and institutional protection. It regretted that in cases where a woman has remarried, such actions may also jeopardise settled family relationships and personal security.

“No court ought to permit its processes to be reduced to instruments of intimidation or to become vehicles for the perpetuation of abuse against women, whether physical, psychological, social or legal in nature,” the judgement emphasised. Instead, it added, frivolous and vexatious litigation, particularly when pursued to inflict personal or reputational harm, should attract a firm judicial response, including the imposition of appropriate costs.

Declaring the petition devoid of merit, the SC held it was founded on false premises, pursued with obstinacy, and intended not to secure justice, but to intimidate and punish the respondent for exercising her legal and religious rights.

Accordingly, the petition was dismissed with costs of Rs500,000, payable by the petitioner to the respondent within 30 days. Failing payment, according to the verdict, the amount shall be recoverable through execution proceedings before the relevant family court.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Rejecting the government’s account of Imran Khan’s health, his sister Aleema Khan on Tuesday demanded that the incarcerated PTI founder be shifted to Shifa International Hospital, alleging that authorities were denying him proper medical treatment.

Speaking to reporters outside Adiala jail during a sit-in organised by the former premier’s family and supporters, she said the government was not being truthful about his health.

“The government does not spe­ak the truth. They are not allowing treatment for Imran Khan. We have repeatedly requested the PTI leadership to join us and exert pressure on the government to ensure his admission to Shifa International Hospital,” she said.

The government and jail administration would have to answer for this, she said.

Her sister, Noreen Niazi, also rejected official medical reports and accused the government and jail authorities of shifting him to the public-sector Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) for a fifth time “without informing the family”.

Aleema Khan alleged the government was fearful of Imran Khan and referred to one of his recent social media posts in which he warned that Pakistan was heading in the same direction as Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

She alleged those demanding their rights in Pakistan were often branded traitors. Referring to recent unrest in Bangladesh, she urged the government to learn lessons from regional developments and handle the Kashmir issue prudently, claiming that people there continued to stand for their rights.

While dismissing reports of any behind-the-scenes negotiations involving PTI, Noreen Niazi said, “This misinformation is being spread by the agencies. We cannot hold talks with those who have stolen the election.”

The size of the PTI’s protest outside Adiala on Tuesday highlighted a gap between party’s mobilisation claims and the actual turnout.

Aleema Khan said that opposition le­­ader Mehmood Khan Achakzai had conveyed that the PTI could gather 10,000 supporters outside the jail if given adequate time, and had proposed a protest window from 2pm to 6pm, though the family suggested 3pm to 7pm to spare participants the worst of the day’s heat.

Nevertheless, she hoped that more supporters would arrive, maintaining that the sit-in would conclude at 7pm regardless.

PTI North Punjab Senior Vice-President Malik Yasir Patwali, how­ever, described the gathering as satisfactory and said attendan­­ce was expected to increase further.

He told Dawn the North Punjab chapter of the PTI was hosting the protest and that a meeting chai­red by regional president Malik Tai­moor Masood had directed every party ticket-holder to bring at least 50 supporters. He said all leaders scheduled to meet Mr Khan were present at the protest, but al­­leged that law enforcement age­ncies had prevented workers from reaching the venue initially but allowed only after the lapse of some time.

Meanwhile, PTI asked the jail superintendent to allow Gohar Ali Khan, Salman Akram Raja, Nae­em Panjutha, Fateh Ullah Bur­­ki, Muhammad Dilpazir Butt and Masooma Mir to meet Mr Khan.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2026

The remarks came at a background briefing for selected journalists, held on Tuesday. There, the official addressed a wide range of issues, including Pakistan’s role in securing peace between the US and Iran and issues arising out of India’s tampering with the Indus basin.

The security official said that through consultation with key stakeholders, Pakistan — and Field Marshal Asim Munir in particular — had helped avert a major war that he said had been planned with serious consequences for the region.

FM Munir’s “sincerity, competence, brilliance and Allah’s blessings” was credited for what the official called a war “won... without actually being fought”, and described this as “the pinnacle of strategy”.

The official said the diplomatic process required “utmost confidentiality, responsibility and caution,” and that Pakistan, as a “responsible mediator,” would not discuss the substance of any talks or next steps in order to avoid speculation.

He also credited Muslim-maj­ority countries, particularly Sau­di Arabia, with showing what he called “masterly leadership, res­traint and strategic patience” in helping avert a war he said could otherwise have pitted Muslim countries against one another.

On the Indus Waters Treaty, the official said that Pakistan had also pursued what he called a highly successful legal and diplomatic response to Indian violations of the treaty. He added that whatever needs to be done, will be done to protect Pakistan’s interests whenever it needs to be.

He alleged that India, in order to conceal its failures in held Kashmir, was attempting to incite unrest in AJK. The official said twelve reserved seats — an apparent reference to the seats set aside for Kashmiri refugees in the AJK Legislative Assembly — are tied to the Constitution and to Kashmiris’ right to self-determination, and that no group or armed faction could impose its will through force.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2026

ISLAMABAD: PTI parliamentary lea­der in the Senate, Barrister Syed Ali Zafar, on Tuesday rejected the federal budget for 2026-27, describing it as a “budget of broken promises” built on “eleven deadly sins” that would neither provide relief to citizens nor create a foundation for sustainable economic growth.

Opening the debate on the budget in the Senate, Mr Zafar said every budget should pursue two objectives: ensuring benefits reach ordinary people and presenting a credible strategy for economic growth and job creation.

“Unfortunately, this budget fails to achieve either objective. It neither provides meaningful relief to the common citizen nor sets out a credible long-term plan for economic development and job creation,” he said.

The PTI senator argued that the government had neglected 11 critical areas, including a long-term growth strategy, industrialisation, agriculture, exports, youth employment, information technology, energy reforms, water conservation, climate change, population management and education.

Mr Zafar accused the government of repeatedly relying on IMF-backed measures and tax increases instead of addressing structural weaknesses in the economy.

He attributed the government’s failu­re to incompetence rather than bad intentions.

“One conclusion is unavoidable: the government’s inability to solve the country’s fundamental problems stems from incompetence. The persistent failure to identify and address the root causes reflects not merely poor policy choices but a broader failure of governance and economic management,” he said.

According to him, earlier budgets blamed the PTI and later the IMF, while the latest one shifted responsibility to external factors.

“The real reasons for the government’s failure are much closer to home. The first is incompetence. The second is the absence of political stability,” he said.

The senator claimed the government had produced “10 records of failure”, including record inflation, public debt, debt servicing, unemployment, electricity tariffs, food prices, brain drain, poverty, government expenditure and declining living standards.

He also cited seven indicators that he said were deteriorating: exports, living standards, economic growth, investment, the rupee’s value, business confidence and government credibility.

Criticising the taxation policy, he said the burden continued to fall disproportionately on salaried individuals while other sectors remained outside the tax net.

“The government appears determined to squeeze the last drop of blood from the bones of the salaried class,” he remarked.

Rejecting the government’s description of the budget as a stabilisation budget, he said: “Yes, this is indeed a stabilisation budget — but it is a stabilisation of poverty, a stabilisation of hardship and a stabilisation of the hopelessness faced by ordinary people.”

He also welcomed efforts towards an Iran-US ceasefire and said Pakistan could take pride in facilitating dialogue, while cautioning that the peace process should not be undermined.

Speaking in the debate, JUI-F parliamentary leader Maulana Attaur Rehman criticised the budget and linked economic stability to improvements in law and order, particularly in Khyber Pakhtun­khwa and Balochistan. He said the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had deteriorated and that a sense of despair was spreading among the people.

The JUI-F leader also opposed the imposition of tax on tobacco, a major crop in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “We want the country’s security and development,” he said.

Referring to political issues, Mr Reh­man alleged interference in democratic processes and claimed elections in Gilgit-Baltistan had been rigged, adding that political parties should not be denied a level playing field.

“We are with the cou­ntry, but our people should not be made despairing. The country’s policies should be in line with the wishes of our people,” he said.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2026

ISLAMABAD: United Kingdom Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan Hamish Falconer announced an additional £8 million to support joint UK-Pakistan efforts to combat crime and illegal migration and thanked Pakistan for its role in helping facilitate diplomatic efforts that led to US-Iran agreement.

According to a statement issued by the British High Commission, Falco­ner, during his visit to Islamabad, personally thanked Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar for Pakistan’s contribution to the diplomatic process.

During meetings with Pakistan’s senior leadership, Falconer announced an additional £8 million to strengthen joint efforts against crime and illegal migration. The funding will be used to enhance border management and visa systems and provide technical expertise to assist Pakistani law-enforcement age­­ncies in disrupting human-smuggling and trafficking networks.

The minister announced additional funding aimed at strengthening cooperation between the UK and Pakistan to tackle illegal migration to Britain by addressing the factors that drive people to undertake irregular journeys.

The package will also support the return of individuals who have no legal right to remain in the UK and finance community-based initiatives in areas considered vulnerable to illegal migration. The programmes will focus on improving identity verification and information-sharing mechanisms, strengthening investigative capacity against smuggling networks and expanding prevention initiatives designed to reduce the risk of exploitation.

The two sides held a comprehensive exchange of views on regional developments, Pakistan’s macroeconomic outlook, ongoing structural reforms, fiscal priorities, institutional modernisation and opportunities to further strengthen Pakistan-United Kingdom economic cooperation.

The UK welcomed the agreement between the United States and Iran following intensive negotiations involving several partners, including Pakistan.

He reiterated the UK’s commitment to promoting stability in the Middle East and said Britain would continue working closely with partners, including Pakistan, to support efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace in the region.

Speaking on the occasion, Falconer said the US-Iran agreement represented an important opportunity for regional stability and thanked Pakistan for its role in supporting diplomatic efforts.

“The UK-Pakistan partnership is critical for safeguarding global, regional and British national security through close cooperation agai­nst terrorist threats, visa fraud and serious organised crime,” he said.

“We are taking this partnership to a new level through additional funding aimed at deterring illegal migration and addressing its causes at the source.”

He also expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s efforts in facilitating negotiations and said the UK and its international partners would continue working to support regional stability and ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Falconer witnessed a live demonstration of joint law-enforcement operations aimed at tackling illegal migration. Supported by the UK, the initiative enables Pakistani authorities to identify and stop non-genuine visa holders at airports, ensuring that only eligible travellers and students proceed to the UK.

Meanwhile, the UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary met Federal Minister for Finance Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb at the Finance Division to discuss various aspects of bilateral cooperation.

Both the countries renewed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2026

The move to transfer management of the site to an Israeli committee controlled by the far-right minister, drew swift condemnation from the Palestinian Authority.

In a statement posted on his Telegram channel, Smotrich said the site will no longer be administered by the municipality authority in the West Bank city of Hebron.

“The meaning of this decision is that many authorities previously granted in Hebron and at the holy sites — including the very foundation of our existence, the Cave of the Patriarchs — are no longer under the control of the Hebron Municipality,” Smotrich said.

Smotrich posted his remarks as he attended an event marking the laying of the foundation stone of a new Israeli settlement near Hebron.

“This is much more than a planning step, it is a step... of practical sovereignty, of governance,” Smotrich said, according to footage of the ceremony released by his party.

Hebron is the largest city in the West Bank, the Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 1967.

The Cave of the Patriarchs sits inside H2, an Israeli-controlled sector of the city housing roughly 40,000 Palestinians alongside some 200 Israeli settler families.

It is venerated by Jews, Muslims and Christians alike as the burial site of Abraham and other biblical patriarchs.

A 1997 protocol left management of most of the complex in Palestinian hands, an arrangement Palestinian officials say Israel has steadily eroded in recent years.

“What Smotrich did is he controls the Higher Planning Council, which set a meeting on Wednesday where they decided that these responsibilities in Hebron will go from the Palestinian municipality of Hebron to Israel,” Yonatan Mizrahi, co-director of Peace Now, an Israeli settlement watchdog, said. Minutes from the planning meeting confirm this decision.

The Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority, led by president Mahmoud Abbas, rejected the move outright.

“Such unilateral measures are rejected and condemned, and constitute a violation of signed agreements with the Israeli side, as well as a breach of international law,” Abbas’s office said.

In a statement, Hebron’s municipality condemned Smotrich’s announcement, which came on the day marking the Islamic new year.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2026