Pakistan
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Modi urges Indians to reduce petrol, diesel consumption amid Middle East war disruption
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged the people of to cut down on petrol and diesel consumption amid supply disruptions due to the Middle East war. India is one of the few countries in the region that has not increased the prices of petrol and diesel for domestic consumers or rationed supplies. But it has increased prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) — a primary cooking fuel in this country — after disruptions following the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, which led to Iran’s near-total blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz. “We have to reduce our use of petrol and diesel. In cities with metro lines, we should try to travel by metro … If we must use a car, then we should try to car pool,” he said, addressing a gathering in southern Telangana state. He added that restrictions on use were also necessary to save foreign currency spent on fuel imports. “We must also place a strong emphasis on saving foreign exchange, as petrol and diesel have become so expensive globally.” Modi also urged people to resume energy-saving schemes that were in place during the Covid-19 pandemic. “We should prioritise work from home, online conferences, and virtual meetings again,” he said.
10 May 2026
Pakistan Test against Bangladesh evenly poised after Mehidy takes 5 wickets on 3rd day
Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed five wickets to give Bangladesh a slender lead after Pakistan debutant Azan Awais hit 103 on a rain-hit third day of the first Test on Sunday. Pakistan made 386 all out in response to Bangladesh’s first innings total of 413 in Dhaka. Bangladesh closed the day on 7-0 in their second innings to increase their lead to 34 runs, after bad light ended play with Mahmudul Hasan Joy unbeaten on two and Shadman Islam yet to score. left-handed Azan, who resumed on 85, completed his hundred off 153 balls to become the 14th Pakistani and sixth player overall to score a century on debut against Bangladesh. He became pace bowler Taskin Ahmed’s 50th Test wicket after captain Najmul Hossain Shanto caught the opener at slip. “It’s a very blessed feeling for me because I know it’s my debut match and I performed really well for my country,” a visibly moved Azan said. “When I was going in to bat, I was a little nervous, but I performed very well for my team.” Pakistan lost wickets at regular intervals but kept coming back as Abdullah Fazal, another debutant, scored 60, Salman Agha made 58 and Mohammad Rizwan chipped in with 59. Rizwan and Agha made 119 for the sixth wicket, one of three century partnerships for the visitors, before rain wiped out a large portion of the afternoon session. The pitch offered more assistance to the spinners when play resumed and Mehidy exploited the conditions to perfection, with Pakistan bowled out in 100.3 overs. Mehidy, who bowled 38 overs of his off-spin, was rewarded for his patience. “On a true wicket like this, as a spinner, my mindset is that I will not get help from the pitch in the first three days,” Miraz said. “If I bowl in good areas and the batter makes a mistake, then I have a chance of taking wickets. My job was to make sure I did not concede runs from one end.” “In the second innings, I will come as an attacking bowler when the ball is turning,” he said.
10 May 2026
Governor Kundi discusses KP's 'pressing issues' with PTI leaders
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi in a meeting with PTI leaders on Sunday at Governor House KP discussed the province’s constitutional and economic rights, stressing on the need to present a firm case before the federal government to ensure “justice and fair treatment”. In a social media post on X, Governor Kundi said that PTI leaders, including former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser, MNA Junaid Akber, and other parliamentarians, called on him for a “constructive exchange on the pressing issues of KP”. “We discussed the province’s constitutional and economic rights, including Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) closures, wheat concerns, National Finance Commission (NFC) matters, and the challenges faced by the merged districts and the business community,” he stated. The meeting comes less than a week after KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi had announced observing a province-wide pen-down strike over the federal government’s alleged “discrimination” against KP in the NFC Award, electricity and gas. Since taking charge as the province’s chief executive in October 2025, Afridi has repeatedly accused the Centre of stalling the release of funds allocated to KP, particularly those committed to the merged districts under the NFC Award. He had also condemned the Punjab government’s tighter controls on inter-provincial movement of wheat and flour through a permit regime to curb price hikes within the province. The KP government in March requested the federal government to revise the NFC resource distribution formula on the basis of the region’s population, which would increase the province’s share from the existing 14.62 per cent to 18.96pc. Subsequently, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb had assured his “ full support ” to Afridi for the “resolution of all legitimate issues” as the two met in Islamabad. The province has been further affected by a deepening CNG crisis in April that brought economic activity to a near standstill, with hundreds of filling stations shut and millions of citizens struggling for affordable fuel. KP Governor Kundi in today’s meeting called for the province’s case to be “presented firmly and collectively before the federal government to ensure justice and fair treatment.”
10 May 2026
Tehran sends response to US peace proposal via Pakistan: Iranian state media
Iran has sent its response to a US proposal to end the war in the region via Pakistan, Iranian state media reported on Sunday. “The Islamic Republic of Iran sent today through Pakistani mediators its response to the latest text proposed by the United States to end the war,” the official IRNA news agency said. Iranian news agency ISNA reported that Tehran’s response to the latest US peace proposal focuses on “ending the war and maritime security”. “It should be noted that the main focus of Iran’s response to the US proposal is on ‘ending the war and maritime security’ in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz,” the ISNA news agency said, without offering further details. Iran had been reviewing the 14-point proposal from the US for formally ending hostilities and opening a 30-day negotiating window for detailed discussions on Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions relief and secure transit through the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran has largely blocked non-Iranian shipping through the narrow Strait of Hormuz, which before the war carried one-fifth of the world’s oil supply and has emerged as one of the central pressure points in the war. Diplomatic sources earlier confirmed that the proposal had been conveyed to Tehran through Pakistani mediators. With US President Donald Trump due to visit China this week, there has been mounting pressure to draw a line under the war, which has ignited a global energy crisis and poses a growing threat to the world economy. Trump had said on Friday that he was expecting Iran’s response to Washington’s proposal for a deal to extend a fragile truce and launch peace talks — “supposedly tonight”. Earlier, he had also announced the suspension of ‘Project Freedom’, the US naval plan to escort commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, citing progress in talks and requests from Pakistan and others, while maintaining the broader naval blockade of Iranian ports. Meanwhile, Pakistan had also expressed optimism that the United States and Iran could soon move towards a peace agreement. At the weekly media briefing on Thursday, Foreign Office spokesman Tahir Andrabi said Islamabad expected an agreement “sooner rather than later”. “We remain optimistic. A simple answer would be that we expect an agreement sooner rather than later,” he said. “We hope that the parties will come to a peaceful, sustainable solution and bring peace, not just to our region but internationally as well.” Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi earlier this week amid indications that Washington and Tehran were edging closer to a preliminary understanding on ending hostilities. But the optimism dimmed on Friday when a US fighter jet fired on and disabled two Iranian-flagged tankers that Washington accused of challenging its naval blockade of Iran’s ports. An Iranian military official told local media the country’s navy had responded “to American terrorism with strikes” and that “the clashes have now ceased”. The latest incident came after a previous flare-up overnight Thursday to Friday in the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran is seeking to control to extract tolls from foreign vessels and wield economic leverage over the US and its allies. On Sunday, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps threatened to target US sites in the Middle East and “enemy ships” if its tankers come under fire, Iranian media reported. “Any attack on Iranian tankers and commercial vessels will result in a heavy attack on one of the American centres in the region and enemy ships,” it said, a day after US attacks against two Iranian tankers in the Gulf of Oman. Meanwhile, Iranian state television reported that the head of the military central command, Ali Abdollahi, had met with the country’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen in public since his appointment in March. Khamenei issued “new directives and guidance for the continuation of operations to confront the enemy”, state TV said, without specifying when the meeting took place. The conflict between the US and Iran began more than two months ago when the US and Israel launched strikes in Iran on February 28. While a deal for a complete end to the war is yet to happen, the hostilities have largely ceased since the two sides agreed on a Pakistan-brokered ceasefire on April 8. Following the truce, a first round of historic direct US-Iran talks was held in Islamabad on April 11 and 12, with Pakistan playing the role of a mediator. The talks had ended without an agreement, but also without a breakdown . With challenges in convening a second round, Islamabad has shifted back to its role as a facilitator and go-between. Among the main issues that remain a sticking point between the two sides are unrestricted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and Washington’s demand for long-term commitments on Iran’s nuclear programme, including constraints on enrichment and safeguards against weaponisation.
10 May 2026
Pakistan's civil, military leadership attend ceremony at Pakistan Monument to commemorate Marka-i-Haq
Pakistan’s civil and military leadership are currently attending a ceremony being held at the Pakistan Monument in Islamabad to commemorate Marka-i-Haq. The conflict with India — starting from the April 22 Pahalgam attack to the end of Operation Bunyanum Marsoos with a ceasefire between the two countries on May 10 — has been called “ Marka-i-Haq ” (Battle of Truth) by the state. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir are among those attending the ceremony in Islamabad, where Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Baber Sidhu are also present. The ceremony began with a march past and the recitation of the Holy Quran. More to follow
10 May 2026
There are 'vast opportunities for investment' in Pakistan, Naqvi tells Bangladeshi state minister
ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi conveyed to Bangladeshi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam on Sunday that there were “vast opportunities for investment”, as the two sides agreed to increase cooperation in trade and business. Naqvi, who is on an official visit to Bangladesh, called on Islam in Dhaka, where the two held “detailed discussions on bilateral relations, the regional situation, and Pakistan’s conciliatory role ”, according to an official statement released by the Ministry of Interior. The Bangladeshi state minister appreciated Pakistan’s efforts aimed at resolving the Iran-US conflict , it said. Pakistan has been leading the efforts for the resolution of the conflict, which began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, and hosted the first round of face-to-face talks between Washington and Tehran in April. The interior ministry’s statement said that during Nqavi’s meeting with Islam, both sides agreed to increase cooperation in the fields of trade, business, and culture and “on maximum mutual exchange of delegations to promote trade and cultural relations”. “Discussion was also held regarding the visit of Bangladesh’s foreign minister to Pakistan,” it added. Bangladesh Foreign Ministry Secretary Mohammad Nazrul Islam, Pakistani High Commissioner Imran Haider and other officials were also present at the meeting. The meeting comes a day after Naqvi signed an anti-narcotics memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Bangladesh Interior Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and offered cooperation on the Safe City Project. Relations between Islamabad and Dhaka have improved since the ouster of former Bangladeshi premier Sheikh Hasina, during whose tenure ties between the two countries remained shaky.
10 May 2026
Fearing return to war, Iran conservationists shore up damaged heritage sites
As fears of renewed conflict hang over Iran, conservationists are shoring up battered historic sites and taking stock of the damage caused by the war with the United States and Israel, though experts warn some repairs could take years. At Golestan Palace, a defining cultural landmark in central Tehran, shattered mirrors, broken doors and debris from ornate ceilings now lie scattered across parts of the site after shockwaves from strikes on the capital following the outbreak of war on February 28. The former royal residence, known for its sprawling gardens, pools and royal halls, has been listed as a Unesco World Heritage site since 2013. The fragile truce in place since April 8 has allowed experts to begin gauging the scale of the damage, though the complex remains closed to the public. Visitors walk through the damaged interiors of the historic Golestan Palace in Tehran on April 4, 2026. — AFP/File “The damage has been assessed at several levels, but a more detailed specialised evaluation is still underway,” Ali Omid Ali, a restoration specialist and head of the technical engineering department at Golestan Palace, told AFP . For now, he said, teams are focused on stabilising damaged structures and preventing further collapse before broader repair work can begin. “We need a more stable situation to start the restoration process,” he said. Initial estimates suggest work at the site could cost around $1.7 million, though the figure could rise following a full assessment, he added, noting that repairs could take “two or more years”. The palace, known for blending 19th-century Persian arts and architecture with European styles and motifs, is among at least five Unesco-listed sites damaged during the conflict. The damaged interiors of the historic Golestan Palace are pictured in Tehran on April 4, 2026. — AFP/File “Fifty to 60 per cent of its doors and windows are broken,” Jabbar Avaj, director of the Golestan Palace museums, told the official IRNA news agency. The palace’s famed Mirror Hall — known for shimmering mosaics covering its ceilings and walls — and the Marble Throne, a ceremonial platform supported by statues representing mythical and royal symbols, were “seriously damaged”, he said. The damaged interiors of the historic Golestan Palace are pictured in Tehran on April 4, 2026. — AFP/File ‘Shadow of war lingers’ Other affected Unesco-listed sites include Chehel Sotoun Palace and the Masjed-e Jame in Isfahan, as well as the prehistoric sites of the Khorramabad Valley. Beyond the listed sites, the war affected at least 140 culturally and historically significant locations across Iran, according to Hassan Fartousi, head of Iran’s National Commission for Unesco. Among them are Tehran’s Marble Palace, the Teymourtash house and the sprawling Saadabad Palace complex in northern Tehran, a former royal residence set within a vast park and home to several museums. “The shadow of war still lingers over Iran’s sky, and in this situation, we cannot plan very well for restoration,” Fartousi said. While the ceasefire since April 8 has largely halted fighting in major urban centres housing cultural sites, sporadic clashes have occurred in coastal areas and Gulf waters, and talks have so far failed to produce a lasting settlement. Fartousi also worries that even after repairs, damaged heritage sites may never recover their original character, noting the entire idea of cultural heritage rests on “the concept of originality”. “Even if we do the restoration with our great artists and specialists in restoration, where will the originality be?” he said. The damaged interiors of the historic Golestan Palace are pictured in Tehran on April 4, 2026. — AFP/File Funding remains a major challenge, with the Iranian government yet to announce a restoration budget as it struggles to offset the impact of the war and a US blockade that has severely disrupted exports. “Unfortunately, Unesco and other international organisations have limited budget,” he said, adding that negotiations were ongoing to secure support. Asked about the overall cost of restoring the damaged sites, Fartousi simply said: “All of them are priceless.” The damaged interiors of the historic Golestan Palace are pictured in Tehran on April 4, 2026. — AFP/File Header image: A visitor walks through the damaged interiors of the historic Golestan Palace in Tehran on April 4, 2026. — AFP/File
10 May 2026
Large-scale security operation continues for 3rd day in North Waziristan's Shewa tehsil
MIRANSHAH: A large-scale security operation against militants continued for the third consecutive day in the Shewa tehsil and adjoining areas of North Waziristan, with reports claiming that seven militants, including two key commanders, were killed during search and clearance operations. According to sources, several militant hideouts were destroyed during the operation, while security forces intensified actions in multiple localities of the region. In the Dorwazanda area of Shewa tehsil, the Alam Khel Market was reportedly almost completely demolished during the operation. Local residents claimed that militants had allegedly been using the market as hideouts and movement routes. Meanwhile, in the Anarkhel area, an alleged militant hideout and a residential compound were also destroyed with explosive material. Sources added that security forces had taken control of several important buildings and installations during the operation, including the Governor Model School, which militants were allegedly using for their activities. Residents and local sources said door-to-door search operations were continuing in Dorwazanda and nearby areas, while additional contingents of security personnel had been deployed. Security forces also conducted raids on several suspected locations and reportedly seized weapons and other materials. According to reports, militants suffered heavy casualties during the ongoing operation. Sources claimed that the slain militants were allegedly involved in attacks on security forces and police personnel, as well as incidents of targeted killings. Security operations were also launched in the Sarkhani area, where intermittent firing and explosions continued to be heard, sources said. A curfew remained imposed across the affected areas, severely disrupting daily life and causing difficulties for residents. Several families were said to have shifted to safer locations, while business activities remained completely suspended. Security officials said the purpose of the operation was to eliminate militant elements from the area and restore peace and stability. Historically, Shewa was considered one of the relatively peaceful areas of North Waziristan. Residents primarily depend on agriculture, livestock and small-scale businesses, and the area is known for its simplicity and strong tribal cohesion. Even during the military operations launched after 2014, locals say Shewa remained comparatively less affected, and normal life returned sooner than in other parts of the district. However, over the past year, the situation has deteriorated sharply. Residents attribute the worsening conditions to a rise in targeted killings, quadcopter attacks and increased activity by outlawed militant groups. In March, after the evacuation of Dorwazanda, Alamkhel, Malokhel and Anarkhel villages in Shewa, families from nearby localities were also fleeing their homes to relatively safer districts. In January, unknown attackers blew up a bridge over the Kurram River, which served as a vital link between several villages, compounding difficulties faced by residents.
10 May 2026
PTCL users may face internet disruption during evening hours from May 11-18
Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd (PTCL) said on Sunday that consumers may face internet disruptions due to maintenance work on a submarine cable between May 11 and 18. In a post on X, PTCL said: “A maintenance activity is planned on one of our submarine cables to repair a fault by the International Cable Consortium,” adding that the work will begin on May 11 and may continue until May 18. “During this period, customers may face internet service degradation during evening hours,” PTCL said. The state-owned telecom giant manages three undersea optical fibre cable networks that provide international internet connectivity to Pakistan. Internet users in Pakistan often face disruptions due to persistent submarine cable faults. According to a report by Top10VPN.com, Pakistan led the world in financial losses from outages and shutdowns of internet and social media apps in 2o23.
10 May 2026
Aurat March restrictions
THE Sindh government’s 28-point list of restrictions imposed on Aurat March Karachi is a distressing example of familiar double standards: women are celebrated in speeches and choreographed photo opportunities, only for the state to recoil the moment they demand their rights. The organisers sought permission to march peacefully for women’s rights. What they received, instead, was a document dripping with authoritarian anxiety. The message could not have been clearer: women may gather, but only if they remain politically harmless. Rather than facilitating peaceful assembly, the administration chose to police slogans, speech and even clothing. The vague and sweeping conditions betray insecurity. Why does a march calling attention to gender violence and economic inequality provoke such discomfort in official circles? Why are women demanding bodily autonomy and constitutional rights treated as a threat? Secure governments do not fear placards, nor do they attempt to dictate what citizens may wear while exercising their rights. Across Pakistan, as in the rest of the world, the overwhelming majority of perpetrators of violence against women are men. Women face harassment in streets, workplaces and homes. They are subjected to ‘honour’ killings, domestic abuse, forced marriages and institutional discrimination. Yet instead of confronting the structures that enable such violence, the state’s instinct is to regulate women themselves. The state appears unable to tolerate women speaking in their own voice without bureaucratic approval. There is an undertone of ‘women should be seen and not heard’ running through these directives — an outdated view masquerading as administrative procedure. Just consider: in 2026, women in Pakistan must still seek permission to demand dignity while the state reserves the right to determine how loudly, how politically and even how appropriately dressed they may be while doing so. We have miles to go before we can claim to be a progressive society. Published in Dawn, May 10th, 2026
10 May 2026
Pakistan, Qatar reaffirm shared commitment to support 'constructive dialogue across region'
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday said he and his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani reaffirmed their “shared commitment” to support “constructive dialogue” in the Middle East. In a post on X, PM Shehbaz said he was “delighted to receive a telephone call from my brother […] earlier today”. “We exchanged views on the evolving regional situation and reaffirmed our shared commitment to support all ongoing efforts aimed at promoting lasting peace, stability, and constructive dialogue across the region,” the premier added. The prime minister said he conveyed his “sincere appreciation to my dear brother”, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, “for his wise leadership and for Qatar’s continued support for Pakistan’s sincere efforts to advance regional peace and stability through dialogue and diplomacy”. PM Shehbaz further said he looked forward to the Qatari emir’s visit to “Pakistan very soon”. In its statement on the phone call, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said the two leaders “reviewed the progress of ongoing peace efforts in the region”. Emphasising the “depth of the brotherly bonds between the two countries”, the PMO said both sides “underscored the importance of constructive engagement by all parties to ensure the success of ongoing peace efforts”. It further noted that the Qatari emir’s visit “would help both sides to further strengthen and expand the enduring Pakistan-Qatar partnership”. According to Qatar’s foreign ministry, Sheikh Mohammed affirmed Qatar’s “full support for the Pakistani mediation efforts aimed at ending the crisis through peaceful means”. He stressed the “need for all parties to respond to these efforts in order to create the appropriate conditions for progress in the negotiations, leading to a comprehensive agreement that achieves sustainable peace in the region”. The conversation marks the second phone call this week between PM Shehbaz and Sheikh Mohammed. It also follows the Qatari PM’s meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy on the Middle East Steve Witkoff during his visit to the United States. Rubio said he discussed “US support for Qatar’s defence”, while Qatar’s foreign ministry noted that “Pakistani mediation aimed at reducing escalation” also came under discussion. Iran, while questioning the seriousness of American diplomacy, has kept the United States waiting for its response to Washington’s latest proposals to end more than two months of fighting and begin peace talks. Pakistan initially positioned itself as a facilitator in the peace process between Tehran and Washington after the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, setting off a conflict that gave rise to a global fuel crisis. Later, the White House and Iran acknowledged it as the “sole mediator” in the process. The first round of historic direct US-Iran talks , held in Islamabad on April 11 and 12, ended without an agreement, but also without a breakdown , as a Pakistan-brokered ceasefire was then extended indefinitely by US President Donald Trump. While Pakistan’s leadership is seeking to bring the US and Iran back to the negotiating table, an impasse remains.
10 May 2026
South Korea welcomes rare baby bump as population shrinks
Kim Su-jin and her husband have set aside their doubts and embraced parenthood, joining a small but notable wave of South Korean couples having children despite the country’s steep demographic decline. South Korea has one of the world’s lowest birth rates, and the government has spent billions of dollars trying to encourage citizens to have more babies and cushion the worst impacts of a shrinking population . The Asian nation is still nowhere near reversing the trend, but a modest baby bump has come after years of consistently low statistics — even as experts disagree on the underlying causes. Kim, 32, a freelance music industry worker, gave birth to her daughter in January last year despite earlier financial concerns during her four-year marriage. She shook off worries over housing, schooling and work “because we believed that having (a baby) would bring us happiness”, she told AFP . This picture taken on April 30, 2026 shows a man pushing a stroller as he visits a baby fair in Seoul. — AFP South Korea’s fertility rate hit a record low in 2023 but has picked up since then, with the number of monthly births consistently rising compared to the previous year. Nearly 23,000 babies were born in February, the most for that month in seven years, according to the statistics ministry. The on-year growth of 13.6 per cent was the highest for any February since records began in 1981. Pro-natalist policies The uptick in births has tracked a similar, though less even, rise in marriages going back to mid-2022, official figures show. Experts said the trend may reflect more positive attitudes towards family among younger South Koreans. But they differed on what was driving the shift and how important it was compared with factors such as pro-natalist policies. Hong Sok-chul, an economics professor at Seoul National University (SNU), said the programmes had been “quite effective”. “Rather than trying to force marriage or childbirth … the government focused on lowering the direct and indirect costs to make these choices more rational,” he said. Kim Woo-jin, 33, said vouchers she received from the government had “played a significant role in alleviating the financial burden” of pregnancy, childbirth and child-rearing. She cited a payment of two million won ($1,400) when her daughter was born last year, a one-million-won voucher to cover maternity fees, and subsidies for transport and post-natal care. “I believe that the significant improvements (in state support) … played a role in the recent rebound” in births, the office worker said. Money isn’t everything South Korea also pays parents a one-million-won monthly allowance during the baby’s first year, while other policies include low-interest loans for young families buying homes, expanded parental leave and subsidised fertility treatment. Some companies also hand large bonuses to staff who have children. For some couples, though, the incentives have made little difference. Kim Su-jin, the freelancer, said government support “in reality … provides little substantial assistance”. “The issue is not merely a matter of a few million won,” she told AFP , citing broader social ills like exorbitant tutoring fees, widespread school bullying and the threat of job losses due to artificial intelligence. This picture taken on April 30, 2026 shows baby clothes displayed at a booth during a baby fair in Seoul. — AFP Demographer Lee Sang-lim, also of SNU, said it was “very difficult” to conclude that the latest government policies had caused the upturn in births, noting that several initiatives only began in early 2024 — less than nine months before the increase became apparent. He said that more than a decade of policies to help boost fertility may have played a role in improving the environment for childbirth and child-rearing. Fertility or futility? South Korea’s total fertility rate — the number of children each woman will have on average — increased last year from 0.75 to 0.8, still well below the threshold of 2.1 needed to maintain the population. Other theories for the baby bump abound, with implications for how long it might last. Park Hyun-jung, a data ministry official, said in February the rise partly reflected the demographic “echo” of a larger-than-normal cohort born in the early 1990s, now in their peak childbearing years. Younger generations also appear to feel less traditional stigma around having children outside marriage, with the number nearly doubling between 2002 and 2024, according to official figures. Still, births outside marriage accounted for only 5.8pc of the total in 2024. This picture taken on April 30, 2026 shows a woman pushing a stroller as she visits a baby fair in Seoul. — AFP SNU’s Lee said the recent uptick was driven mainly by marriages and births delayed during the pandemic, though he added that people born in the 1990s appeared “more family-oriented”. He said it was “difficult to define this as a demographic turning point”, warning births could decline “rapidly” again once that group ages out of its peak period. Hong, the economist, said “continued aggressive policy support will be necessary”, adding that “the current rebound, while positive, is still insufficient for long-term population replacement”.
10 May 2026
All passengers on hantavirus-hit ship considered high-risk contacts, EU health agency says
All passengers on the cruise ship hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak are considered high-risk contacts as a precautionary measure, Europe’s public health agency said ahead of the ship’s expected anchoring on Sunday off the Spanish island of Tenerife. Passengers without symptoms will be repatriated for self-quarantine via specially arranged transport, not regular commercial flights, by their respective countries, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said on Saturday as part of its rapid scientific advice. Countries were preparing to evacuate their citizens from the MV Hondius around 0630-0700 GMT (11:30am-12pm PKT). Eight people have fallen ill, including three who died — a Dutch couple and a German national — the World Health Organisation said on Friday. Six of the eight are confirmed to have contracted the virus, with another two suspected cases, the WHO has said. Although at disembarkation, passengers will be considered high-risk, not all will necessarily be considered high-risk upon return to their home countries, the ECDC said. The agency urged symptomatic passengers to be prioritised for medical assessment and testing on arrival, adding they may isolate in Tenerife or be medically evacuated home, depending on their condition. Usually, the virus is spread by rodents, but can, in rare cases, be transmitted person to person. Health authorities have said the risk of the virus spreading is low. Earlier on Friday, the WHO said that the hantavirus outbreak posed a minimal risk to the general public. “This is a dangerous virus, but only to the person who’s really infected, and the risk to the general population remains absolutely low,” WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier told reporters.
10 May 2026
This is the sentence that protects every abuser in Pakistan
Sana stood outside the gates of the police station with her young son, clutching her hand as she trembled from fear of what people would say if she went inside. The 26-year-old had been subjected to four years of physical, emotional and financial violence at home, and now her husband was threatening to leak their private videos. What held her back was not fear of her abuser but a sentence she had heard her whole life: Sharif larkiyaan thaney nahi jaati . Good girls don’t go to police stations. At our gate, Sana was not just dealing with her husband’s violence but also battling a deeper, more systemic violence in the shape of a belief system that decided how far she was allowed to seek justice. This story is not an isolated one. I often hear it as a Sub-Divisional Police Officer serving with the Sindh Police. Each complainant who happens to be a woman or her family apologises to me: “We come from a respectable family. We have never stepped inside a police station.” This disclaimer signals that the act of going to the police needs to be justified. When women say it, the police station ceases to operate as an institutional space where you can report a crime, and it morphs into a dangerous site where you imperil your social identity. There is a striking pattern to this pre-emptive stigma neutralisation. The disclaimer is the same no matter what the crime. It is given when a woman’s husband breaks her arm at home in Larkana, she is raped by her employer in Landhi, threatened by her own uncles in Mirpurkhas, and even when she loses her life savings to some scammer bro sitting in Ratodero with a 5G connection. The subtext is always the same: If you do go to a police station, you will no longer be considered respectable. This is classic patriarchal control over a woman’s mobility and voice. A sharif aurat is constructed around notions of modesty, obedience and invisibility in public spaces. At the same time, police stations in Pakistan have been historically associated with male domination and crime. But the result is that women are left to endure injustice rather than encouraged to seek a remedy. This barrier flies in the face of guarantees enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan that all citizens are equal under the law and deserve its protection. The message should be that a woman going to a police station is not compromising on her dignity but exercising a fundamental right. The persistence of this stigma is dangerous given the magnitude of violence that is widespread and under-reported. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and Aurat Foundation provide some sense of what is out there, but so many cases are never reported or withdrawn because of the thana stigma. Recently, a young woman walked into a police station with her brother, seeking help for repeated physical violence by her husband. She spoke in fragments at first, hesitant, almost apologetic, describing the abuse she had been enduring. There were signs of fear, but also urgency. Before she could explain her situation, her brother interrupted. He dismissed the severity of the situation with a practised calm. They did not want to pursue legal action and instead asked if they could do something else. “ Bas usse bula ke police wali zuban mein samjha den ke theek se rahen .” Just call the husband and tell him to straighten out in the language of the law. In that moment, the woman’s plea for safety was reframed into a demand for adjustment. What stood out was not just the violence she had faced, but the boundary her family had already drawn around justice. Legally, the option to proceed was clear. Under the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act and provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code, physical assault and abuse are crimes serious enough that police can arrest the person accused of them and investigate (cognisable offences). The State sees such violence as a crime, and not as a private matter, but in reality, the law often arrives second after family negotiations are held, social calculations are made, and reputational concerns weighed up. Forty-two Women and Children Protection Cells (WCPCs) have been opened in all ranges and districts of Sindh to make reporting a crime easier (See list of officers, locations and contact numbers below). You can use the WCPC app, Zainab Alert, 1917 or IG Complaint Cell as well. But none of these diminish a physical police station as the most immediate point of access to justice. The WCPCs have contributed to a noticeable increase in crime reporting, especially for domestic violence, harassment and child abuse, by providing a relatively more sensitive and less intimidating environment staffed by female officers. For instance, the call centre 1715 WCPC from January 1, 2025, to November 2025 received ~82,570 complaints online alone, mostly domestic violence and harassment, which were catered to accordingly. One woman was brought to a police station after making a call to 15. Her husband had thrown hot tea at her face because he claimed she had served him in old utensils. He was immediately arrested. In that moment, the law was clear, and the institutional response was immediate, but what followed was more revealing than the crime itself. As proceedings began, the woman pleaded, “Please release my husband. He won’t do it again. Just make him understand.” The same system she had called on for help was now being asked to retreat. No wonder she was back again after a month, this time with a graver assault. Discouraging women from going to police stations does not protect dignity. It protects the perpetrators. Cycles of violence grind on when victims or survivors are dissuaded from resorting to state institutions for support. For many women, fear of social judgement outweighs the promise of legal protection. I see women pleading for a settlement with their husbands and trying to convince them not to be violent towards them, without taking any legal action. Their only concern is to keep the family reputation intact. They reveal that the barrier is not always access to the system; sometimes it is the conditioned belief that using it fully will cost more than enduring the violence. Families concerned about their social standing discourage the reporting of a crime even in serious abuse cases. But in doing so, they normalise a culture of silence. The media has not helped by loading with controversy a woman’s presence in a police station. This framing is being challenged, but much work remains to be done. A notion that needs to spread to all parts of society is that a police station is not a place of dishonour. It is a public institution meant to serve citizens, and a woman who walks into a thana is not stepping outside her respectability but asserting her rights. Meanwhile, change is being driven forward in the attitude of police officials toward female victims. Capacity-building sessions are held regularly on handling female complainants, victims of heinous crimes and other vulnerable groups. A front desk officer will pause and think before saying, ‘ Aurat ne kuch to kiya hoga, ’ as was the case before. (She must have done something). The rise in the number of women police officers is reshaping how women experience the system. It may not dismantle stigma overnight, but it does create an entry point, a space where hesitation softens. I have often witnessed that shift the moment a woman steps into my office and takes a visible sigh of relief. A woman who had been defrauded by her husband at first was uncertain about proceeding, but as we walked her through the legal channels, something began to change. With every interaction, she began to appear more assured. The last time she came to see me, her demeanour was entirely different. “ Kya hum kabhi bhi aapke office aaskte hain baghair kisi rukawat ke ?” she asked me. Can we come to your office without any problems? For many women, access to justice is not assumed; it is negotiated; it is uncertain and sometimes dependent on who sits on the other side of the table. Police departments must continue to ensure professionalism, confidentiality and dignity in handling complaints. This will only be possible when the basic unit of the police station is made stronger. Women are taking up key positions and ranks. Encouraging women to report violence is not a threat to social values; it is a reinforcement of the rule of law. Sharif aurat thaney nahi jaati is not merely outdated, it is also exclusionary. While the feminisation of policing has begun to transform the thana , the greater challenge lies in transforming the mindset that keeps women away from it.
10 May 2026
Israel deports two foreign activists seized from Gaza flotilla
Israel deported on Sunday two foreign activists seized from a Gaza-bound flotilla, in what a rights group representing them described as a “punitive attack” on a civilian mission. Saif Abu Keshek, a Spanish national of Palestinian origin, and Brazilian Thiago Avila were among dozens of activists aboard a flotilla intercepted by the Israeli navy in international waters off the coast of Greece on April 30. The pair were seized by Israeli forces and brought to Israel for questioning, while the others were taken to the Greek island of Crete and released. “Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Avila, from the provocation flotilla, were deported today from Israel” following an investigation, the Israeli foreign ministry posted on X on Sunday. Israel would “not allow any breach” of the blockade on Gaza, it added. Spain, Brazil and the United Nations had all called for the men’s swift release. On Wednesday, an Israeli court rejected an appeal contesting the pair’s detention. “From their abduction in international waters to their unlawful detention in total isolation and the ill-treatment they were subjected to, the Israeli authorities’ actions were a punitive attack on a purely civilian mission,” Adalah, the rights group that represented the pair, said after their release. “The use of detention and interrogation against activists and human rights defenders is an unacceptable attempt to suppress global solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.” The flotilla had set sail from France, Spain and Italy with the aim of breaking Israel’s blockade of Gaza and delivering humanitarian aid to the war-ravaged Palestinian territory. The Global Sumud Flotilla’s first voyage last year was also intercepted by Israeli forces off the coasts of Egypt and Gaza. Israel controls all entry points into Gaza, which has been under an Israeli blockade since 2007. Throughout Israel’s war on Gaza that started in October 2023, there have been shortages of critical supplies in the territory, with Israel at times cutting off aid entirely.
10 May 2026
Gas supply suspended in Karachi after pipeline damaged in Red Line construction
KARACHI: Gas supply was disrupted in major parts of the city on Saturday evening after the Red Line construction work damaged a high-pressure gas pipeline near Jail Chowrangi. A spokesperson for the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) said that a12-inch diameter high-pressure pipeline was hit during excavation for the bus rapid transit (BRT) project. The spokesperson said as a result the gas supply to Saddar, Garden, Jamshed Road, PIB Colony, Lyari, Lines Area and adjacent localities was immediately suspended. She said that the SSGC teams reached the site and cordoned off the damaged section of the supply line with safety barriers to prevent further risk. Residents in affected areas reported complete disconnection of gas at 7pm, adversely impacting mainly households, who relied on piped gas during peak cooking hours in the evening. The spokesperson said that repair work was being carried out on an emergency basis. “Gas supply will be restored gradually once repair work is completed,” she added. The spokesperson that the repair work was expected to be completed early Sunday morning and supply would be phased back as repaired were completed. The BRT construction corridor in Karachi has seen multiple utility line strikes in recent months as underground infrastructure intersects with ongoing roadworks. Published in Dawn, May 10th, 2026
10 May 2026
At least 12 police personnel martyred in Bannu suicide attack
BANNU: At least 12 police personnel were martyred on Saturday night after a suicide attack on the Fateh Khel police post in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district. Terrorists rammed a vehicle laden with explosives into the police post. The attack also injured three police personnel. Police said that following the explosion, terrorists opened heavy gunfire and attacked the post from multiple directions. Multiple blasts were heard in the area, causing fear and panic among local residents. Sources said that communication with the Fateh Khel police post was lost briefly after the attack. The powerful blast completely destroyed the post. An armoured vehicle stationed at the post was also destroyed in the attack. Nearby buildings also suffered severe damage from the blast’s intensity. Following the attack, an emergency was declared in local hospitals. The Bannu police launched an operation, led by Regional Police Officer Sajjad Khan, after the attack, and the area was cordoned off by security forces. Police tightened security across the city and set up additional checkpoints. Local residents also came out in support of law enforcement personnel. Rescue 1122 teams are continuing relief operations at the site of the incident, and the death toll from the attack is feared to rise. Bannu district has been the scene of repeated security incidents in recent months, with both civilians and local security forces coming under attack amid a broader surge in militant violence. Violence in Bannu has included attacks on police and jirga members, prompting targeted operations by police and security forces in various localities to disrupt militant networks.
10 May 2026
Dealers, lawyers slam fuel hike
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) and the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on Saturday criticised the government over rising fuel prices and high petroleum levies, saying the measures had increased hardships for the public and affected fuel retailers. Under an official notification effective from May 9, the government has imposed a petroleum levy of Rs117.41 per litre on petrol and Rs42.60 per litre on high-speed diesel sold through retail outlets. The levy on premium fuel grades, including 97 RON and 95 RON petrol, or the high-octane blending component (HOBC), has been fixed at more than Rs305.37 per litre. The government is also charging a petroleum levy of Rs20.36 per litre on kerosene, Rs15.84 per litre on light diesel oil, and Rs77 per litre on furnace oil, equivalent to Rs82,077 per tonne. PPDA Vice Chairman Raja Waseem Shehzad criticised the government for increasing indirect taxes instead of providing relief to the public amid rising inflation. He said the heavy levies had made petroleum products unaffordable for consumers and caused financial losses for fuel station owners due to declining sales. He urged the government to reduce petroleum prices by cutting levies and duties on petroleum products, warning that continued increases could further damage the fuel retail sector and add to public hardship. “At the same time, the government has not fixed petroleum dealers’ commission on a percentage basis instead of a fixed amount per litre sale, as a result, meeting the cost of doing business is going in the negative,” Mr Shehzad said. He added that sales had declined while operational costs had increased owing to higher electricity tariffs and other charges. In a statement, SCBA President Haroonur Rashid, Secretary Malik Zahid Aslam Awan and members of the association’s 28th executive committee expressed concern over the increase in petrol and diesel prices. They said the latest rise in fuel prices had further aggravated hardships faced by the public and contributed to inflationary pressures. The SCBA urged the federal government to immediately roll back the recent fuel price increase and introduce additional relief measures, including reductions in electricity tariffs and essential commodity prices. Published in Dawn, May 10th, 2026
10 May 2026
Battle of Truth
A YEAR after the four-day military confrontation between India and Pakistan, it is time for introspection to develop a better understanding of what led India to commit this blatant act of aggression and to draw lessons that can be applied to handling future crises of this sort. First, let’s figure out why India attacked several non-military sites in Pakistan on May 7, killing 31 civilians. Prima facie, it wanted to avenge the April 22 terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam in Indian-occupied Kashmir. In a knee-jerk reaction, India blamed Pakistan. The latter condemned the incident and called for an impartial investigation. India expected the world to accept its allegations against Pakistan, with no questions asked. But to its surprise, not one country endorsed its allegations. For over two decades since 9/11, India has sold a flawed narrative to the world that Pakistan was the epicentre of terrorism. That lie now stood exposed. Another plausible reason for the May 7 aggression, codenamed Operation Sindoor, was to establish a new normal that India could use force against Pakistan unilaterally and pre-emptively if it suspected a Pakistani link to terrorism in India. Little did it know that Pakistan was well prepared to beat back its aggression and defend itself. Responding swiftly, the Pakistan Air Force brought down seven Indian aircraft, including the pricey Rafale, which were flying beyond visual range. Instead of backing off, India sent in armed drones to destroy Pakistan’s air defences and radar installations and later its missiles struck three Pakistani bases. When it became evident that neither international law nor diplomatic efforts would check India’s aggression, Pakistan struck back on May 10, now observed as Youm-i-Marka-i-Haq (Day of the Battle of Truth). Pakistan’s network-based, integrated, and multi-domain counter attack, employing missiles, drones, electronic warfare and cyberattacks, was so emphatic that India ended up asking the US to help secure a ceasefire. The myth of India’s conventional dominance has been broken. Some analysts believe that the Indian attack represented its regional assertiveness, with the Hindutva-driven BJP government voicing its ambition to create ‘Akhand Bharat’. This hegemonic agenda is flawed; the Indian subcontinent was never ruled by a single political entity until the British brought administrative unity. In fact, India’s hegemonic attitude towards its own region has hindered its desire for a higher global profile. Following the Pahalgam attack, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, threatening the lives and livelihoods of millions of Pakistanis. This breach of international obligations was triggered, in part, by the hostile anti-Pakistan, anti-Muslim rhetoric that Narendra Modi’s government had indulged in for years, particularly during poll campaigns. Indian threats to disrupt or divert Pakistan’s share of waters are a high-risk strategy because Pakistan will see it as an act of war. New Delhi’s hostile rhetoric and hubris, accentuated by the media, may have compelled India to attack Pakistan. Within days, India received a rude reality check. Pakistan’s response to Indian aggression has broken the myth of India’s conventional dominance and demolished its narrative that links Pakistan to terrorism. Pakistan’s diplomatic space also expanded as its success resonated with world leaders, including the US president. Saudi Arabia signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement with Pakistan. Later, Pakistan contributed to efforts for an end to Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza and mediated a ceasefire between Iran and the US. Since it all started with Pakistan’s sterling performance last May, Marka-i-Haq has become a turning point in regional geopolitics. Will India resume its paused Operation Sindoor? It appears that while its armed forces address their shortcomings, Sindoor is continuing through proxies such as the TTP and BLA. Knowing that the current global environment won’t accept its politicisation of terrorism, India might not embark on a kinetic misadventure for now. However, given the hubris of its government, irrationality can resurge. Pakistan must, therefore, be prepared for any Indian decision to launch Sindoor 2. How should Pakistan leverage its high military and diplomatic profile to convert geopolitical dividends into geo-economic gains? A good starting point is ensuring the ease of doing business, joint ventures under CPEC, developing economic zones and boosting investor confidence. The government should also find ways to reduce input costs for industries, such as pursuing solar solutions. Importantly, it must muster the political will to undertake much-awaited structural reforms in institutional and bureaucratic governance, which are essential for our economic and human security. The writer is chairman Sanober Institute and former foreign secretary of Pakistan. Published in Dawn, May 10th, 2026
10 May 2026
Momentary relief
THE IMF’s approval of the latest review of Pakistan’s ongoing Fund programme comes at a moment of growing global economic volatility. With the Middle East crisis disrupting energy markets, its timing is particularly significant for a country whose external position remains vulnerable to imported energy shocks. For Pakistan, whose balance-of-payments position depends heavily on external financing and remittance stability, the new tranche offers some respite. The approval of the review was not in doubt. It was just a matter of time, as Islamabad remains broadly on track under the programme. However, it did not come automatically. The government reportedly accepted a dozen new conditions, pledging adherence to pre-war targets to keep economic stabilisation efforts on track. A most consequential condition was evident in the decision to maintain a tight monetary stance despite mounting pressure for rate cuts. The IMF’s emphasis on guarding against inflation reflects concern that higher global energy prices could spill over into the larger economy. This means Islamabad is being asked to prioritise macroeconomic stability over growth impulse. Equally significant is the politically tough commitment to continue dismantling untargeted energy subsidies for lower-middle-income consumers. More importantly, the government has agreed to deliver a primary budget surplus equal to 2pc of GDP. The IMF’s praise for programme implementation should therefore not be taken as a victory. The current stability remains externally financed and is not rooted in durable productivity gains or export competitiveness. Hence, macroeconomic gains have remained fragile, making it all the more necessary to follow the Fund’s advice and stay the course. Our past engagements with the lender have followed a familiar pattern: initial compliance under pressure, temporary stabilisation and eventual policy reversals once immediate financing needs ease. The current external environment leaves little room for such slippages, especially with the conflict overwhelming global markets. Rising oil prices alone have the potential to widen the import bill sharply, strain reserves and reignite inflationary pressures. Any premature easing of fiscal or monetary discipline could quickly erode the stability achieved so far. However, the deeper challenge lies beyond reviews and tranches. Pakistan’s economy cannot forever rely on lenders to finance weaknesses that remain politically inconvenient to address. Broadening the tax base, reforming SOEs, improving energy efficiencies and enhancing export competitiveness are measures that can no longer be deferred. The global economy is entering a period of heightened uncertainty in which external financing conditions may become tighter and geopolitical disruptions more frequent. In such conditions, economic stability will depend less on emergency inflows and more on whether Pakistan can undertake reforms that reduce its dependence on them. Published in Dawn, May 10th, 2026
10 May 2026
Prospects for peace?
IT is one of the enduring ironies in South Asia that even after stepping back from the brink of a potentially disastrous confrontation in May last year, India and Pakistan have been unable to move towards a meaningful dialogue. When announcing the ceasefire on May 10, US President Donald Trump congratulated both countries for showing “common sense and great intelligence”. Soon afterward, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Islamabad and New Delhi had agreed to begin talks on a broad set of issues at a neutral site. Yet, one year later, those promised talks remain elusive. The brief triumph of pragmatism quickly gave way to familiar mistrust, hardened political positions, and strategic posturing. More strikingly, the international actors who had facilitated the ceasefire, including the US itself, showed little interest in converting crisis management into a structured peace process. The outcome is that, on the anniversary of last year’s stand-off, defence superiority is being projected by both countries through a verbal war. Though India rejected any prospects of talks with Pakistan after Rubio’s statement, a few attempts were still made to consolidate the ceasefire between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. This raised hopes that both might still be able to sit across the table from each other, even in the midst of the worst crisis. Similar optimism prevailed when the directors general of military operations of both sides effectively used the hotline, which has remained functional since 1971 and was established to help de-escalate crises. There is also some hope in India’s recent decision to let Pakistani sportsmen participate in international events on its soil, although bilateral sporting ties haven’t been restored. However, a more optimistic aspect is that both countries still interact, albeit in limited ways and mainly through informal diplomatic channels. After the crisis, at least four reported Track 1.5 and Track 2 meetings were held at different locations between 2025 and February 2026, involving strategists, parliamentarians, former diplomats, and some security representatives. These reported talks were deliberately kept discreet and produced no public readouts, which is itself revealing: communication existed, but only under political cover. A year after the May hostilities, mistrust continues to dominate India-Pakistan ties. Apparently, these dialogues remained largely focused on military and strategic issues. Yet the real irony is that a public voice for peace from civil society in both countries has remained absent. Whatever limited and half-hearted attempts were made remained largely confined to Zoom chat rooms and failed to create any meaningful impact. The media is not interested in peace; it sells hatred and turns leaders into slaves of their own rhetoric. In India’s case, hatred against Pakistan has been politicised by the ruling party and used for electoral gains. This has also become a hurdle to dialogue. A more critical development is that, in the ongoing strategic and defence doctrine review in India, Pakistan remains at the core of New Delhi’s threat perception. As this threat perception narrows, it may leave even less space for political engagement in the future. In fact, India is trying to weaponise every available leverage against Pakistan, including water . Pakistan’s case is not very different from India’s, but its major apprehension is that India is exploiting its internal conflicts, mainly in Balochistan and along the Afghan border, to destabilise the country. Despite these concerns, Pakistan has an edge over India: the ability to engage in dialogue with India at any time, as the civil-military leadership is on the same page and no mainstream political party in Pakistan openly opposes dialogue with India. Moreover, for all its anti-Indian rhetoric, the Pakistani media is less toxic than the Indian media, which feeds hatred against Pakistan to its audience round the clock. Few might have noticed that during the last few decades, the core issues between the two countries, once part of the composite dialogue framework, have gradually moved to the back-burner, while the issue of terrorism has taken centre stage in the conflict between them. As mentioned earlier, Pakistan holds India responsible for many of its internal security crises and acts of terrorism, while India makes similar accusations against Pakistan. India once used the terrorism narrative to diplomatically isolate Pakistan at the global level, but over time, Pakistan has removed that stigma. The May stand-off last year also appears to have reduced the international appeal of India’s position on terrorism. Pakistan’s successes against the Islamic State-Khorasan improved its standing with the US and parts of the wider international community. Over the past year, Pakistan has gained diplomatic and geopolitical space, which helped create a more balanced environment during the crisis. The rest was shaped by Trump, who publicly took credit for the ceasefire between India and Pakistan and repeatedly referred to Indian jet losses. One must give credit to Pakistan that, over the last two and a half decades, it has fought a war against terrorism on its own soil and has abandoned or suspended support for groups that were once allegedly used as proxies. What greater evidence could there be than Pakistan’s strained relationship with the Afghan Taliban in Kabul, who were once widely regarded as Pakistan’s proxy? Ironically, India is now engaging with them. The point is that, despite terrorism remaining at the core of the conflict and continuing to shape the two adversaries’ strategic thinking, this is perhaps the first moment in decades that Pakistan has openly talked to India about the issue of terrorism and sought similar acknowledgement and reciprocity from New Delhi. Although the space for a broad-based peace process between the two countries has shrunk, optimism is the only way forward for peace-loving citizens in both nations. Keeping that optimism alive, however, requires consistent effort. The seeds of hope still exist in the form of limited informal diplomatic contacts and weak but surviving civil society channels between the two sides. After all, even miracles need a starting hand. The writer is a security analyst. Published in Dawn, May 10th, 2026
10 May 2026
Ceremony marking one year since Marka-i-Haq victory underway at GHQ
A ceremony to mark one year since Pakistan’s victory in last year’s conflict with India is underway at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. The conflict with India — starting from the April 22 Pahalgam attack to the end of Operation Bunyanum Marsoos with a ceasefire between the two countries on May 10 — has been called “ Marka-i-Haq ” (Battle of Truth) by the state. Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir is the chief guest at the event, with Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf also in attendance. Field Marshal Munir will address the gathering and deliver an important speech highlighting the significance of Marka-i-Haq. ACM Sidhu and Admiral Ashraf took turns to lay floral wreaths at the Yadgar-i-Shuhada (Martyrs’ Monument), and a salute was being presented by smartly turned-out contingents of the three armed forces. ‘Defining landmark’ In their messages issued on Saturday, Field Marshal Munir, ACM Sidhu and Admiral Ashraf congratulated the nation and officers and personnel of the armed forces on the completion of one year since the success of Marka-i-Haq. “Observed with deep reverence, gratitude, and national fervour, the day stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of courage, professionalism, and unity,” a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) quoted them as saying. “Marka-i-Haq has become a defining landmark in the nation’s journey, reflecting national resolve, military excellence, and strategic maturity. This success not only bolstered national confidence but also established Pakistan as a responsible regional stabiliser, possessing formidable military capabilities,” it stated. The statement added that Pakistan’s measured and resolute response during Marka-i-Haq “exposed adversarial conspiracies, false flag narratives and disinformation campaigns, diminishing their credibility internationally”. “Despite facing conventional and hybrid challenges, including proxy terrorism, the armed forces demonstrated superior operational competence across land, air, sea, cyber, and information domains,” it continued. It further read that in the aftermath of Marka-i-Haq, Pakistan had “further enhanced its defensive capabilities and reinforced full-spectrum deterrence despite resource asymmetries”. More to follow
10 May 2026
Petrol pain doubles ride fares
Daily fuel costs for ride-hailing bikers and drivers have surged, increasing operational expenses.—AFP/file • Yango costs rise 64pc; Islamabad fares up 35pc • Commuters turn to carpooling groups • WhatsApp hubs grow as safety fears limit shared rides • Petrol prices have surged to Rs415 per litre from Rs253 in February KARACHI: “The rates seem to have doubled,” said Namrah, who used to pay Rs600-650 to commute from Nazimabad to Tipu Sultan using ride-sharing services. After the first jump in petrol prices following the US and Israel’s attack on Iran, fares surged to as high as Rs1,800 during peak hours. At the time, the easiest explanation lay in the first fuel price hike triggered by the war that amounted to a Rs55 jump in the first week of March. However, the initial increases also coincided with Ramazan and Eid, when many drivers had gone home or were not accepting rides, creating a shortage that pushed prices even higher. Combined with the psychological impact of rising fuel costs, the mobility sector saw fare surges that now appear to have settled at elevated levels. Today, Namrah pays up to Rs1,000 during peak hours, with an average commute cost of around Rs700. Namrah joined the WhatsApp group CommUnityX to explore carpooling options. Originally formed as a networking group, it also serves as a hub for ride-sharing after its administrator, Ameeque Malik, suggested that its 600-plus members look for solutions among themselves rather than limit discussions to venting frustrations over rising costs. Built on a similar concept, Carpool Pakistan aligns routes and pools commuters based on their pick-up and drop-off points, says HR executive Hamnah, who also joined CommUnityX to explore shared-ride options. While carpooling has its merits, it also raises concerns. “I joined the group to find carpool options, but I do not have regular hours, which makes carpooling tricky,” says Namrah. “Plus, there are safety concerns.” In the same WhatsApp group, several messages warn women in particular to be cautious about getting into cars with strangers. Given the limited availability of safe public transport, ‘ride-hailing remains a vital option due to its convenience, reliability, and access to safer mobility choices for women,’ says inDrive. ‘Earning what you are burning’ Recently, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the country’s weekly fuel bill had risen to $800 million from $300m. The latest fuel hike pushed petrol prices up by Rs15 to Rs415 per litre, further fanning inflationary pressures that are rippling across sectors, including ride-sharing services. On average, a single Yango vehicle undergoes two oil changes per month and covers 200-250 km per day. For a small hatchback such as the Suzuki Alto or Suzuki Cultus, that translates to about 15 litres of petrol per day. On February 27, before the first US bomb fell on Iran, petrol was priced at Rs253 per litre. It now stands at Rs415. This pushes the daily fuel cost for a ride-sharing car from Rs3,795 to Rs6,225 — a 64pc increase that is ultimately passed on to customers. While in Karachi and Lahore, the cumulative fare changes are up to 20pc, in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, rates have increased up to 35pc, says Yango’s spokesperson, attributing it to longer average trip distances and higher fuel consumption per ride. “We are burning what we are earning,” says Namrah, who estimated she spent about Rs22,000 a month on commuting, before the last two petrol price hikes. “I can’t get on a Bykea ride because there are no female riders. Going in a rickshaw means showing up to work in a dishevelled state,” she laments. Similarly, Hamnah’s monthly commute bill has risen from Rs18,000 to Rs23,000, often supplemented with Yango or inDrive on days requiring late sittings. “Our commute expenses have gone up, but our salaries have not,” she says ruefully. Changing demand patterns One cannot quit a job because the commute has become too expensive. And while the government has announced work-from-home measures, many companies still require employees to be physically present in offices. Overall mobility demand remains strong as ride-hailing continues to be a daily necessity for many commuters. Published in Dawn, May 10th, 2026
10 May 2026
Gwadar Port gains strategic weight amid Hormuz crisis
GWADAR: Amid rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic importance of Gwadar Port has significantly increased due to its shorter access routes to Iran and Central Asia, along with investor-friendly incentives such as tax exemptions, free storage facilities, and modern infrastructure. This was stated by Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) Chairman Noorul Haq Baloch during a meeting with members of the All Pakistan Shipping Association (APSA) in Karachi. He said the port is increasingly being viewed as a safe alternative trade gateway for the region. He said Gwadar has the potential to become the future hub of regional trade and logistics because of its low operational costs, modern facilities, and shorter trade routes. He added that the Gabd-Rimdan border route has emerged as an effective multi-modal corridor for promoting trade with Iran and Central Asia. Mr Baloch briefed the APSA members on the prevailing regional situation, the strategic significance of Gwadar Port, and issues related to transit and transshipment operations. He stated that Gwadar Port is steadily evolving into a major centre for regional trade and logistics, with its importance increasing day by day. He noted that the port’s approach channel, measuring approximately 4.5km, is the shortest among the country’s ports. He said that a trade route exists from Gwadar to Zahedan and onwards to Central Asia. Recalling developments from 2015, he said the first container convoy from China successfully reached Gwadar Port through the Balochistan route, demonstrating Gwadar’s full potential to connect China with Central Asia. Referring to tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, Mr Baloch said Gwadar could serve as a secure and alternative trade route in the event of war or sanctions. He added that access from Gwadar to eastern regions of Iran and Central Asia is several hundred kilometres shorter than routes from other Pakistani cities, significantly reducing logistics costs and transportation time. He said investors and industrialists operating in the Gwadar Free Zone are being offered tax exemptions and special incentives, including duty-free import of machinery and equipment. Mr Baloch said that import and export cargo at Gwadar Port is provided with up to 30 days of free storage, unlike other ports where storage charges apply. Additional free storage facilities are available at cargo sheds, container yards, and repair sheds operated under the Gwadar Port Authority to further facilitate investors. According to him, these facilities are connected through a modern six-lane expressway linking the port and free zone to the coastal highway. Mr Baloch urged shipping companies and traders to shift their operations towards Gwadar Port. He also revealed that a trade delegation from Iran is expected to visit Gwadar soon. He said that Gwadar Port, owing to its low operational rates, modern infrastructure and strategic location, possesses strong potential to emerge as a major trade corridor for Pakistan’s economy. Participants at the meeting expressed interest in the facilities available at Gwadar Port, particularly regarding transit trade with Iran. Published in Dawn, May 10th, 2026
10 May 2026
A year ago today: Normality returns as nuclear-armed neighbours step back from the brink
The week of May 6 - May 10 marks the first anniversary of the five-day military conflict between Pakistan and India. The conflict was sparked by the April 22 Pahalgam attack on tourists in India-occupied Kashmir, which New Delhi, without evidence, linked to Pakistan. In a dangerous escalation, New Delhi launched deadly air strikes in Punjab and Azad Kashmir on May 7. Pakistan retaliated by downing five Indian planes in air-to-air combat, later raising the tally to seven . Following tit-for-tat strikes on each other’s airbases, and the launch of Pakistan Army’s Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, both sides agreed to a ceasefire on May 10 after American intervention. The Pakistan Army named the period of conflict from April 22-May 10 “Marka-i-Haq”. Throughout the week, Dawn will be sharing daily headlines from the brief conflict when tensions between both countries reached a boiling point. Here’s a look at Dawn’s front page published on May 11, 2025.
10 May 2026
Rain to hit upper Pakistan after intense heat
ISLAMABAD: After a three-day heat wave in northern parts of the country, the Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast rain in the upper regions from Sunday evening (today) to May 12. The Met Office stated that dust storms , thunderstorms and rain are likely in the upper parts, with occasional gaps, from May 10 to May 12. According to the department, a fresh westerly wave is likely to approach the northwestern parts of the country today and persist in the upper regions until the night of May 12. Under the influence of this weather system, dust storms, thunderstorms and rain are expected across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, specifically in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Shangla, Buner, Kohistan, Malakand, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Balakot, Haripur, Swabi, Mardan, Nowshera, Charsadda, Peshawar, Bajaur, Mohmand, Orakzai, Khyber, Kohat, Kurram, Hangu and Karak. Westerly wave to bring widespread relief from today; landslide warnings issued; south remains in grip of heat Similar weather is expected in Punjab and the capital territory, including Murree, Galiyat, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Khushab, Joharabad, Sargodha, Mianwali, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Jhang, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Okara, Gujranwala, Sialkot and Narowal. Meanwhile, rain, wind and thunderstorms are expected from May 11 to May 13, with occasional gaps, in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), including Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar. The system will also affect Kashmir, including Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur. “Dust-thunderstorm and rain are likely to bring relief from hot weather in upper parts, while very hot weather conditions are expected to continue in southern parts,” including south Punjab, Sindh and parts of Balochistan, the PMD stated. The department noted that windstorms and lightning may damage weak structures, such as electric poles, billboards and solar panels, during the forecast period. “Landslides may occur in vulnerable areas of upper KP, GB and Kashmir during the forecast period,” the Met Office warned. Farmers were asked to manage their crops in accordance with weather fluctuations. Tourists and travellers are advised to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel during this period. Additionally, all authorities concerned were advised to remain vigilant. Published in Dawn, May 10th, 2026
10 May 2026
SMOKERS’ CORNER: THE AGE OF HYPERPOLITICS
In the early 2020s, the Belgian political theorist Anton Jäger coined the term “hyperpolitics”. He noticed that, in this day and age, politics seemed to be everywhere and in everything but was not catalysing any real change. At least not the way politics used to in the 20th century. The last century was an era of mass political activity (‘mass politics’) driven by large political parties, unions and macro-ideologies. According to Jäger, until the 1980s, political life was anchored by “thick institutions” that acted as a bridge between the individual and the state. But by the 1990s, “post-politics” had set in and replaced mass politics. In the era of post-politics, the polity became increasingly consumerist in nature and governance was left in the hands of technocrats. Conflict was suppressed and political parties became hollow after delegating important economic and social tasks to ‘experts’ serving the interests of large banks and multinational corporations. Then, from the early 2010s, a sudden return of political energy filled the vacuum left behind by the docility of post-politics. It is this energy that Jäger calls hyperpolitics. But this energy is nothing like the one that had carried countries towards widespread change and even revolutions in the 20th century. That energy had begun to wane from the 1980s, increasingly replaced by an emphasis on the well-being of the ‘self’ through consumerism and the commodification of identities. Once anchored by ideologies and movements, politics is now increasingly performed through aesthetics and consumption, as ‘allegiances’ are signalled through brands rather than a sustained struggle Mass politics started suffering fatigue and the individual became the “new self.” But the new self wasn’t the rugged, reflective and morally ambiguous manifestation of individualism of previous eras. The post-political individual was a ‘sensitive’, self-centred person entirely invested in their own ‘happiness’ and ‘contentment’. In a way, they were more manageable for governments and multinationals. They consumed politics like they did consumer brands. In fact, corporate brands began to define the identities of these individuals just like political ideologies had done before the 1980s. They ‘became’ the brand they wore, drank, ate etc. In her 1999 book No Logo, the Canadian author Naomi Klein wrote that corporations shifted from selling products to selling ‘meaning’. In 1968, the French sociologist Jean Baudrillard had predicted that objects would no longer be valued for their use but for what they say about the owner’s identity. He was right. According to the Polish-British sociologist Zygmunt Bauman, when everything, including politics, is treated as a consumer choice, the individual becomes more manageable. Since consumerism is about instant gratification and disposability, long-term political commitment or ideological struggle becomes too time-consuming or boring for the modern individual. Consequently, the idea of individualism also transformed. One way to demonstrate this is through studying the way lead (male) characters in films evolved. The classic 20th century idea of individualism wasn’t detached from mass politics as such. It was very much part of it. Take the example of the cynical, hard-drinking and chain-smoking character played by Humphrey Bogart in 1942’s Casablanca. He seems uninterested in the political affairs of the world, but ends up contributing to America’s war effort against the Nazis. He realises that his anger towards a lover who had left him was far smaller an issue than the war. Clint Eastwood’s brooding and detached character in the Dollar trilogy, directed by Sergio Leone in the 1960s, is a loner and a cynic who doesn’t say much but ends up accepting the circumstances that compel him to aid the helpless against thugs. Quite a number of films across the 1960s and 1970s romanticised this nature of individualism. Amitabh Bachchan’s ‘angry young man’ roles in 1970s’ Bollywood films were in the same mould. Nikhat Kazmi wrote in her book Ire in The Soul that Bachchan’s characters were largely shaped to channel the anger of the people during a turbulent period in India. However, Bachchan’s Kala Pathar (1979) is an interesting case of the transition that was to come. The angry, brooding character played by Bachchan in the film suddenly embraces ‘normal life’ by plunging into a satisfying romantic partnership. This meant that he didn’t have to bother anymore about fighting his inner demons nor carry the burden of an exploited collective (in this case, a community of coal miners). And unlike his previous angry individual films, he doesn’t die in this one. By the 1990s, Bollywood films had completely discarded the brooding loner who accepts circumstances that compel him to fight for the people. As the idea of 20th century individualism faded into the docility of the post-politics era, the new ‘aspirational’ lead characters became sensitive souls seeking gratification through lush romantic relationships and corporate brands. Designer homes, attire and brands became necessities for ‘happiness’ and even for self-actualisation. Religious rituals in films also became extravagant and an expression of sacralised joy. Therefore, faith was also commodified as a consumer product to ‘better oneself.’ But as all this was manifesting the era of post-politics, hyperpolitics exploded on to the scene. Yet, nothing changed much. According to Jäger, since post-politics had emptied established institutions, people entered the hyperpolitical arena as self-gratifying individuals rather than as members of a collective, cohesive body. Jäger identifies technology as the catalyst. He wrote that social media allows for “low-cost, high-decibel politicisation.” Anyone can participate. To Jäger, though, this participation focuses more on expression rather than on sustained canvassing. In the absence of traditional institutional power to influence material conditions, hyperpolitics redirects energy toward symbolic battlegrounds, where personal consumption and language serve as primary signifiers of collective identity. The classic Peshawari chappal, for example, which the populist politician Imran Khan preferred to wear, became a brand identity (‘Khan chappal’) that replaced traditional platform-based politics. Supporters became the brand by adopting a specific aesthetic of Khan. Buying and wearing this item functioned as a political act. Not a very convincing portrayal of mass politics, though. This is an example of consumerist politics, a leftover of the post-politics era but ubiquitous in the era of hyperpolitics as well. The recent boycott movements against certain brands also demonstrate this. For example, most individuals feel they cannot influence the actual conditions in Gaza, so they redirect their energy into ‘consumer-activism.’ They manage their political emotions by curating their social media presence to show they are the ‘right kind of consumer’ because they consume local brands. Of course, for most, an actual physical protest outside the factories of the boycotted brands is out of the question. To Jäger, this nature of activism produces “high heat” but “low light”, resulting in a culture defined by intense moral outrage and aesthetic posturing that rarely translates into substantive policy shifts or reform. Published in Dawn, EOS, May 10th, 2026
10 May 2026
Analysis: No war, but no peace either
• Pakistan-India ties still trapped by Delhi’s intransigence, US failure to create political process after ceasefire • Islamabad’s institutional coherence shattered New Delhi’s illusions it was dealing with ‘weak neighbour’ • Water war takes centre stage as Indus treaty remains ‘unilaterally held in abeyance’ THE fighting lasted barely 90 hours, but the political consequences have proved far more durable. While neither India nor Pakistan got what they expected from the flare-up of 2025, very few could have predicted that less than a year later, it would be Pakistan that emerged as the diplomatic lynchpin in the region, while India remained relegated to the side-lines. Today, the relationship between the two neighbours remains frozen in an unusually rigid state; there is no war, but there is no diplomacy worth the name, either. The border is shut, trade is suspended and the Indus Waters Treaty remains unilaterally held in abeyance by New Delhi. Military hotlines between the two countries are functioning, but they are emergency mechanisms rather than channels of engagement. The resulting situation is not that of stability in the conventional sense, but a colder equilibrium sustained by deterrence, mistrust and the absence of political alternatives. At the time the US facilitated ceasefire was announced, there was an understanding — at least according to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s announcement — that military de-escalation would be followed by talks at a neutral venue. The US role for crisis management had been unusually visible and President Donald Trump publicly claimed credit for helping secure the ceasefire. So, there was a strong hope for a structured engagement between the two sides when the conflict ended. But that process never materialised; India quickly rejected any suggestion of external mediation and insisted that the ceasefire understanding emerged through direct communication at the level of the two directors general of military operations. It did so because New Delhi had long opposed internationalisation of the Kashmir dispute, and Trump’s public handling of the episode caused disquiet in Indian official circles. Pakistan, meanwhile, believed that the conflict had restored a measure of strategic balance and that the post-war environment would generate a diplomatic momentum leading to improvement in the relationship and some semblance of normalisation. But things did not turn out that way, mostly because Washington — after helping stop the fighting — had not invested sustained diplomatic capital in building a political framework around the ceasefire. The impression left behind was that the US could help stop wars in South Asia, but may no longer possess either the leverage or the appetite to sustain a structured peace process afterwards. India’s loss, Pakistan’s gain Indian resistance to any formal mediatory role, meanwhile, further weakened the possibility of follow up diplomacy. Besides Delhi’s refusal to accept any external mediation on the Kashmir dispute, Indian strategic thinking before May 2025 viewed Pakistan as a state weakened by internal instability, economic distress and persistent terrorist violence. Therefore, the widening asymmetry in economic size, diplomatic influence and military modernisation encouraged a belief that India no longer needed engagement with Pakistan, and could manage the relationship through pressure, coercive signalling and diplomatic isolation instead. The conflict, especially the way it ended, complicated that assumption. Pakistan, to the surprise of many, demonstrated a great degree of institutional coherence during the crisis, absorbing military pressure, maintaining escalation control and mounting a coordinated response involving drones, missiles and air power. The conflict produced a narrative that Pakistan was strategically resilient, despite its internal difficulties. Equally important, the crisis restored Pakistan’s geopolitical relevance. US engagement intensified during the conflict; China, Turkiye and Iran publicly backed Islamabad diplomatically and Gulf states quietly remained involved in de-escalation efforts. Islamabad then went on to use the post-war period to improve its diplomatic visibility, particularly as regional tensions surrounding Iran later increased international interest in Islamabad’s intermediary role. But none of this fundamentally altered the broader asymmetry between India and Pakistan. India still retains overwhelming long term advantages in economic weight and global positioning, but the conflict shattered the assumption, both in Delhi and around the world, that Pakistan had become “strategically irrelevant”. An Indian military analyst, who has a good understanding of the Modi government’s thinking on foreign policy and security matters, told Dawn, “India is still operating on the assumption that that the asymmetry continues to favour it, though some important lessons were learnt from the conflict.” Policymakers, he said, continue to believe that long-term geopolitical and economic trends remain firmly in India’s favour. That explanation sums up the prevailing situation, where even after strategic recalibration, India has shown little interest in re-engagement with Pakistan. Lack of engagement Part of the reason for the India intransigence lies in its domestic politics, where engagement with Pakistan carries political costs. In this situation, India prefers crisis management over structured dialogue. Dr Moeed Yusuf, a former national security adviser, believes the present arrangement cannot hold indefinitely. “It is only sustainable till you don’t have the next crisis,” he said, arguing that the absence of political engagement leaves both sides vulnerable to another sudden confrontation. He said India’s domestic political environment and years of anti-Pakistan narratives had narrowed the space for reconciliation, adding that while improving ties was essential for regional development, he was “not at all optimistic at this point”. Moreover, the issue of unfounded terrorism allegations also remains central to that paralysis. India keeps the terrorism bogey alive and continues to maintain that meaningful improvement in relations is difficult without addressing its “concerns”. Pakistan rightfully rejects those accusations, of which India has failed to provide any evidence, and argues that it has itself paid a heavy price over the past two decades in fighting militancy and terrorism. Islamabad’s consistent position has been that sustained dialogue remains necessary precisely because of these disputes and risks. But the Indian hard line on the issue has narrowed the diplomatic space even further after the May 2025 conflict demonstrated how quickly such incidents can trigger wider military escalation. In the absence of formal diplomacy, unofficial channels have continued to function quietly. Over the past year, there have been periodic reports of Track 1.5 and Track 2 interactions involving retired officials, academics and policy interlocutors in places such as London, Muscat, Doha and Bangkok. These contacts have limited utility, but preserve communication during periods of estrangement and allow both sides to quietly test ideas and assess intentions. After Kashmir, water becomes new front Meanwhile, an important shift has quietly taken place in the substance of the bilateral dispute itself. Kashmir remains unresolved and politically central, but has receded from active diplomacy after the conflict. In its place, water security has emerged as perhaps the most immediate and dangerous point of friction. India’s decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance marked a significant departure from past practice, since the treaty had survived nearly all previous wars and crises. Pakistan viewed the move as the “weaponisation of water” and warned that interference with the Indus system threatens millions dependent on agriculture, irrigation and hydropower. Climate pressures and long term water insecurity have made the issue even more sensitive. Former Federal Flood Commission chairman Ahmed Kamal said Pakistan had recently raised concerns with India over reduced flows in the Chenab. “Future cooperation on water security issue rests with India and would be determined by how it responds to Pakistan’s concern,” he said recalling that Pakistan’s commissioner for Indus waters recently took up the matter with India. Ironically, however, water may also become one of the few issues capable of forcing limited engagement in the future. Even governments unwilling to resume broader political dialogue may eventually find it difficult to indefinitely avoid technical coordination over river flows, treaty obligations and data-sharing mechanisms. While the space for comprehensive dialogue currently appears unlikely, narrower and more technical contacts involving water management, ceasefire stabilisation, crisis communication, humanitarian issues and limited security understandings may still be possible. Outside actors including the US, Gulf states or European governments could potentially facilitate such engagement quietly with-out formally mediating the broader dispute. None of this would resolve the underlying political conflict, but may help reduce the risk of another uncontrolled crisis in a region where trust has sharply eroded. Published in Dawn, May 10th, 2026
10 May 2026
Review of incentives to boost export underway
ISLAMABAD: In a departure from established practice, the government has initiated a review of export promotion schemes and incentive options for the upcoming budget, holding a special meeting at the Economic Affairs Division and reaching out to international experts for policy input. As part of this policy decision, the government has assigned Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema on Saturday, rather than Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, to oversee and review proposals for targeted incentives across various sectors. A dedicated Tariff Policy Board under the Ministry of Commerce was mandated to handle tariff issues across sectors, and the ministry also had a separate export promotion mechanism. Ironically, Mr Kamal also continued meeting with stakeholders to review budgetary proposals. An official announcement said that a meeting was held under the chairmanship of Ahad Cheema to review export promotion schemes and policy options for the upcoming federal budget, with a focus on strengthening Pakistan’s exports and supporting priority sectors through effective, targeted incentives. Ahad Cheema leads budget talks; commerce ministry sidelined on tariffs; experts called for input The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, Governor State Bank of Pakistan Jameel Ahmad, Secretary Finance Imdadullah Bosal, Chairman Federal Board of Revenue Rashid Mahmood Langrial, and Secretary Commerce Jawad Paul. The Saturday meeting featured the special participation of Professor Stefan Dercon, who had earlier been engaged by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to prepare a national economic plan. The plan, however, was postponed ahead of its announcement and later replaced with the planning minister’s 5Es framework. Interestingly, the same professor was invited again to join the special meeting virtually to review proposals on export competitiveness and economic policy reforms for the upcoming budget. The participants briefed the economic affairs minister on export policy proposals under consideration for the upcoming budget. Detailed discussions were held on priority sectors and on the formulation of suitable policy measures to enhance export growth, improve competitiveness, increase SME participation in exports, and expand Pakistan’s presence in international markets. According to the announcement, various proposals relating to fiscal support, trade facilitation, and sector-specific incentives were reviewed during the meeting. Participants observed that not only tax reductions but also improvements in factors of production, infrastructure, facilitation measures, and ease of doing business would play a critical role in boosting exports. The meeting also reviewed options for export incentives, including performance-based rebates, incentives linked to incremental export growth, and reward mechanisms tied to export target achievement. The participants agreed on the need to align incentive schemes with measurable outcomes to ensure transparency, efficiency, and long-term economic gains. The proposed measures will be fine-tuned in consultation with relevant stakeholders ahead of the finalisation of the federal budget. Meanwhile, the commerce minister continued to meet representatives of multiple stakeholders daily. The representatives of the Corporate Dairy Farmers Association met Commerce Minister Jam Kamal on Saturday and briefed him on the progress, investment potential, and future expansion plans of Pakistan’s dairy and livestock sector. During the meeting, the delegation highlighted the transformation underway in Pakistan’s corporate dairy sector through modern breeding, artificial insemination, scientific herd management, and advanced milk-handling systems. The participants informed the minister that commercial dairy farms are now producing high-quality milk to international standards, enabling the production and export of value-added dairy products, including cheese and other processed dairy products. Published in Dawn, May 10th, 2026
10 May 2026
Electric bike demand surges amid costly oil
KARACHI: Amid the ongoing Middle East conflict since Feb 28, Pakistan’s auto sector is witnessing fresh developments, with a leading tractor assembler exploring electric bike production and new vehicle models planned by Chery Master Pakistan and Pak Suzuki Motor Company Ltd. In a stock filing, Millat Tractors Ltd (MTL), responding to market reports about its entry into the electric bike segment, said one of its group companies was evaluating the feasibility of EV bike production in Pakistan. It said the matter remained at a preliminary stage. Sharp increases in petrol prices have boosted demand for electric scooters and bikes, leading to market shortages and the emergence of “on money” on some models. Social media reports claimed EV bike assemblers had received an overwhelming response from consumers, with some companies reportedly selling more than 15,000 units in April, while others sold around 5,000 units. Assemblers eye expansion as shortages trigger premiums However, bike sector expert Mohammad Sabir Sheikh disputed these figures, saying over 30,000 electric bikes and scooters were sold nationwide during March and April. He said assemblers had opened more letters of credit in the past 15 to 20 days to import parts and accessories to meet rising demand. Short supplies had resulted in “on money” of Rs10,000 to Rs15,000 on some popular models, he added. Mr Sheikh said the situation could change if petrol prices returned to pre-conflict levels, but added that higher fuel prices had at least increased consumer awareness about electric bikes. Launch of hybrid, EV Chery Master Pakistan (CMP) is considering launching two to three new models for the local market, including the Tiggo 4 HEV, QQ BEV, and Tiggo V, reflecting Chery’s focus on hybrid, electric, and multi-purpose mobility solutions. CMP, introduced locally by Master Auto Engineering, part of the Master Group, signalled the possible introduction of new models after its participation in Auto China 2026. CMP Chief Executive Officer Samir Malik said Pakistan remained an important growth market for Chery’s advanced mobility technologies. He said the company was evaluating products suited to local driving conditions, consumer expectations and long-term mobility trends. At Auto China 2026, Chery showcased the QQ BEV, a compact electric vehicle offering a range of up to 410 km. The company positioned the model as an affordable urban mobility solution, particularly suitable for congested cities such as Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. Chery Master Pakistan has already introduced a locally assembled plug-in hybrid SUV lineup, including the Tiggo 9 PHEV, Tiggo 8 PHEV and Tiggo 7 PHEV. Fronx prices Pak Suzuki Motor Company Ltd has recently announced introductory prices for its newly launched Suzuki Fronx crossover utility vehicle variants. The Suzuki Fronx GL MT has been priced at Rs5.999 million, the GL 4AT at Rs6.099m, the GLX 6AT Hybrid (mono tone) at Rs6.299m and the GLX 6AT Hybrid (two tone) at Rs6.374m. Published in Dawn, May 10th, 2026
10 May 2026
Better to err in acquittal than in conviction: Supreme Court
• Rules abscondence alone cannot be treated as proof of guilt • Acquits murder convict after 20 years ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court acquitted a murder convict who had been sentenced to life imprisonment, while citing the well-recognised principle that it is better to err in acquittal than in conviction. “This principle is also deeply rooted in Islamic jurisprudence, which more than fourteen centuries ago laid down the salutary maxim that it is better to acquit ten guilty persons than to convict one innocent individual,” observed Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, a member of a two-judge bench, headed by Justice Muhammad Hashim Kakar. The court had taken up an appeal filed by Muhammad Iqbal, challenging the June 18, 2025 decision of the Sindh High Court (SHC), which had upheld his sentence. In his eight-page judgement, Justice Ibrahim observed that reasonable doubt in the mind of a prudent person was sufficient to entitle an accused to the benefit of doubt as a matter of right and not grace. “This manifestation also finds mention in the principle of benefit of doubt, which is invariably extended in favour of the accused to ensure the safe and just administration of criminal justice,” it added. Muhammad Iqbal was convicted under Section 302(b) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) by the Additional Sessions Judge-II, Karachi West, on Jan 26, 2024, for the murder of Jameel Khan. The incident allegedly occurred on April 29, 2006. Iqbal was sentenced to rigorous life imprisonment along with compensation of Rs500,000 payable to the legal heirs of the deceased. The conviction was upheld by the SHC on June 18, 2025. Iqbal had remained at large for around 14 years before his arrest on Oct 27, 2021. Justice Ibrahim observed that the findings recorded by the SHC did not appear to be legally sustainable. The SHC had held that the petitioner’s conduct in remaining at large for 14 years after the murder, before being arrested on Oct 27, 2021, reflected, in the absence of any explanation, a guilty conscience. Firstly, the judgement noted that the petitioner was originally a resident of Bara, Khyber district (erstwhile Fata), and there was nothing on record to establish that proceedings under Sections 204 (summons or warrant), 87 (proclamation against an absconder) and 88 (attachment of property of an absconder) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) were ever initiated or lawfully pursued against him during the alleged period of abscondence. Secondly, it was an admitted position that no specific question regarding the alleged abscondence was put to the petitioner-convict in his statement recorded under Section 342 of the CrPC. “It is by now a settled principle of law that any piece of evidence or circumstance not put to an accused in his statement under Section 342, CrPC cannot be used against him,” the judgement explained. Thirdly, the judgement observed that an accused may abscond for a variety of reasons, rightly or wrongly, including fear of arrest or police harassment. “Mere abscondence, therefore, is not conclusive proof of guilt. It is trite law that abscondence is, at best, a corroborative piece of evidence and cannot by itself be treated as substantive evidence to sustain a conviction,” the judgement stated. Such corroborative evidence, it added, may only be considered in support of other reliable evidence and not in isolation. Where the ocular account furnished by the prosecution is found to be doubtful or unworthy of reliance, mere abscondence of the accused would not be sufficient to sustain a conviction. While concluding, the SC observed that, in view of the material contradictions and inherent discrepancies in the prosecution’s evidence, it was persuaded to hold that the prosecution had miserably failed to prove its case against the petitioner beyond reasonable doubt. “The courts below also fell into patent error in recording the conviction of the petitioner by disregarding and overlooking such material infirmities in the prosecution case,” the judgement said, adding that the prosecution’s evidence was replete with doubts. “It is by now a well-settled principle of criminal jurisprudence that even a single circumstance creating reasonable doubt in the prosecution case entitles an accused to acquittal.” Consequently, the SC converted the petition into an appeal and set aside the conviction and sentence awarded to the appellant by the lower courts. The court also ordered the acquittal of the appellant and directed that he be released forthwith if not required in any other case. Published in Dawn, May 10th, 2026
10 May 2026
JCP likely to finalise panel to interview candidates
ISLAMABAD: The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) is expected to decide in its upcoming meeting the composition of a proposed committee tasked with interviewing candidates for elevation to the high courts, sources familiar with the development told Dawn. The move, however, has raised concerns among lawyers, particularly in Islamabad, who argue that candidates for constitutional courts should not be subjected to interviews by any committee operating outside the constitutional framework. Sources said the JCP’s Rule-Making Committee met on May 6 to deliberate on the criteria and procedure for appointing judges to the superior judiciary in light of recent constitutional amendments. The 27th Constitutional Amendment introduced a provision empowering the commission to frame rules regulating its procedures, including the “procedure and criteria for assessment, interview, evaluation and fitness for appointment of judges”. The Rule-Making Committee comprises Justice Aamer Farooq of the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC), Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan, Senator Farooq H. Naek, Senator Syed Ali Zafar and Pakistan Bar Council representative in the JCP Ahsan Bhoon. According to sources, the committee discussed various proposals regarding interviews of candidates for judicial appointments. Senator Ali Zafar proposed that the entire JCP interview each candidate when his or her nomination comes before the commission. Senator Farooq Naek, however, suggested that a seven-member committee conduct interviews prior to the JCP meeting and submit recommendations to the commission. Sources said Mr Bhoon proposed a five-member committee comprising two judges from the FCC or the Supreme Court, one parliamentarian, the attorney general and a representative of the Pakistan Bar Council. According to sources, the proposed committee may include FCC Justice Syed Hassan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Aamer Farooq, Barrister Syed Ali Zafar, Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan and Mr Bhoon. The proposals are expected to be placed before the full commission at its next meeting, likely to be held next week. Sources said the JCP may also finalise the long-awaited rules governing appointments to the superior judiciary. Judicial appointments in various high courts have remained stalled due to the absence of revised rules following recent constitutional amendments. LHC vacancies and consultations In Lahore, Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court Justice Aalia Neelum has already initiated consultations and interviews to fill long-pending vacancies amid a growing backlog of cases. According to official figures, the sanctioned strength of the Lahore High Court is 60 judges, but only 41 judges, including the chief justice, are currently serving, leaving 19 positions vacant. Sources said several senior lawyers and law officers have already appeared before the chief justice for consultation. They include Prosecutor General Islamabad Ghulam Sarwar Nihang, Advocate Asad Ali Bajwa, Advocate Kashif Rajwana, Barrister Zargham, Punjab Advocate General Amjad Pervaiz, Barrister Usman Ghani Rashid, Punjab Prosecutor General Syed Farhad Ali Shah, Barrister Umer Riaz, Advocate Asad Abbasi, Advocate Shireen Imran and Advocate Masroor Haider Awan, brother of Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan. Former Bahawalpur Bar president Amir Ajam and Multan-based lawyer Khalid Ibne Aziz are also under consideration, sources added. The Punjab Bar Council is also expected to forward its own panel of nominees to the JCP. Likely nominees include Hafiz Ansarul Haq and Additional Attorney General Munawar Iqbal Duggal. IHCBA raises objections Meanwhile, the Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) has expressed reservations over reports regarding the constitution of any committee for conducting interviews or scrutinising lawyers for elevation to the high courts “outside the constitutional framework”. In a statement issued after a meeting of its executive body on Friday, the IHCBA maintained that the constitutional mandate relating to assessment, consultation and recommendation of candidates for judicial appointments exclusively vested in the Judicial Commission of Pakistan. It also stressed that the constitutional role and consultative authority of the respective chief justices must remain fully protected. The process of judicial appointments has witnessed delays following recent constitutional developments. During a JCP meeting held on April 28 regarding the transfer of judges from the Islamabad High Court, it was decided that fresh appointments would only be considered after finalisation of the new rules governing the commission’s functioning. At that meeting, three IHC judges, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, Justice Babar Sattar and Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz, were transferred to the Lahore, Peshawar and Sindh high courts, respectively, as part of a broader judicial reshuffle. Sources said the government had proposed convening the next JCP meeting only after the revised rules were finalised in light of the 26th and 27th Amendments, which significantly altered the composition and functioning of the commission. Published in Dawn, May 10th, 2026
10 May 2026
Iran keeps US waiting for a response
• Questions seriousness of American diplomacy amid naval flare-ups • CIA report claims Tehran can withstand blockade for months • Bahrain arrests over 40 ‘pro-IRGC’ individuals • UK deploys warship to Mideast with eye on potential Hormuz mission • Israel continues strikes in Lebanon, targets highway south of Beirut TEHRAN / WASHINGTON / BEIRUT: Iran questioned the seriousness of American diplomacy on Saturday in the wake of renewed naval clashes in the Gulf, while keeping Washington waiting for a response to its latest negotiating position. A state of relative calm prevailed around the Strait of Hormuz, after days of sporadic flare-ups, as the United States waited for Iran’s response to its latest proposals to end more than two months of fighting and begin peace talks. US President Donald Trump had said on Friday that he was expecting Iran’s response to Washington’s latest proposal for a deal to extend a fragile truce and launch peace talks — “supposedly tonight”. But if Iran did send Pakistani mediators a response, there was no public sign of it, and Tehran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called into question the reliability of the US leadership in a call with his Turkish counterpart. “The recent escalation of tensions by American forces in the Persian Gulf and their numerous actions in violating the ceasefire have added to suspicions about the motivation and seriousness of the American side in the path of diplomacy,” he said, according to an Iranian account of the call published by the ISNA news agency. In an incident on Friday, a US fighter jet fired on and disabled two Iranian-flagged tankers that Washington accused of challenging its naval blockade of Iran’s ports. An Iranian military official told local media the country’s navy had responded “to American terrorism with strikes” and that “the clashes have now ceased”. The latest incident came after a previous flare-up overnight Thursday to Friday in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital international sea lane that Iran is seeking to control to extract tolls from foreign vessels and wield economic leverage over the US and its allies. CIA assessment In a related development, a CIA assessment indicated that Iran would not suffer severe economic pressure from a US blockade of Iranian ports for about another four months, according to a US official familiar with the matter, suggesting that US leverage over Tehran remains limited as the two sides seek to end a conflict that has been unpopular with US voters. A senior intelligence official characterised as false the “claims” about the CIA analysis, which was first reported by the Washington Post . The official added that the blockade “is inflicting real, compounding damage — severing trade, crushing revenue, and accelerating systemic economic collapse”. ‘Pro-IRGC’ individuals held Bahrain’s interior ministry said on Saturday that the country’s security services had dismantled an organisation accused of links to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) and arrested 41 of its suspected members. Bahrain, which houses a major US military base, was hard-hit by Iranian attacks on the Gulf, launched in response to US and Israeli strikes on Iran. “In accordance with previous investigations carried out by the prosecutor’s office in cases of espionage on behalf of foreign entities and sympathy for Iranian aggression, the security services dismantled an organisation linked to the Revolutionary Guards,” the ministry said in a statement. UK deploys warship Britain said on Saturday it was deploying its warship HMS Dragon to the Middle East in preparation for a potential multinational effort to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz once conditions allow. HMS Dragon, an air defence destroyer, was sent to the Eastern Mediterranean in March, shortly after the start of the Iran war, to help defend Cyprus. “The pre-positioning of HMS Dragon is part of prudent planning that will ensure that the UK is ready, as part of a multinational coalition jointly led by the UK and France, to secure the Strait, when conditions allow,” a spokesperson for Britain’s Ministry of Defence said. Strikes in Lebanon The Israeli onslaught in Lebanon continued as the authorities reported eight people killed in Israeli air strikes in southern Lebanon on Saturday, with more raids targeting a highway south of Beirut outside Hezbollah’s traditional strongholds and far from the centre of ongoing fighting. The fresh attacks came in spite of a three-week-old ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported a series of Israeli strikes across the south, including one on the town of Saksakiyeh. The health ministry said that raid “resulted in an initial toll of seven martyrs, including a girl, and 15 wounded, including three children”. The ministry reported that another Israeli strike on a motorbike in the city of Nabatieh hit “a Syrian national and his 12-year-old daughter”. “After they managed to move away from the site of the first strike, the drone attacked a second time,” killing the father, the ministry said, adding the drone then targeted the girl “directly for a third time”. The girl was undergoing life-saving surgery, it added. The Israeli military said it had struck more than 85 Hezbollah infrastructure sites in the past 24 hours. Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah on Saturday warned of “a new phase, in which the resistance [Hezbollah] will not accept a return to pre-March 2”. Hezbollah said on Saturday that it had targeted troops in northern Israel with a drone in response to the continued strikes. In addition to its drone attack in northern Israel, the group also claimed attacks on Israeli military targets inside Lebanon using rockets and drones. On the other hand, US Central Command said that 58 commercial vessels have been redirected and four others disabled since the naval blockade of Iranian ports began on April 13. Additionally, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard has threatened to target US sites in the region and “enemy ships” if its tankers come under fire, Iranian media reported. Published in Dawn, May 10th, 2026
10 May 2026
Nuclear disaster can unfold any moment, experts fear
KARACHI: “When I think of Gaza and what happened there, I think of international efforts. Would all this have happened if international efforts worked properly. I also think about the United Nations and wonder if it has become weak in front of Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel? But it was strong when imposing sanctions on Iraq, Iran, Libya and other small ‘Third World’ countries,” said Governor of Sindh Syed Nehal Hashmi. He was speaking at the inaugural session of the two-day conference on ‘Living on the Threshold of Global Crises’ organised by the Pakistan Institute of International Affairs (PIIA) at a local hotel here on Saturday. “What is war? What is genocide?” The Governor asked aloud. “Our neighbouring country also tried playing with us a similar game as what Netanyahu is playing these days, but grace to Allah, the brave soldiers of Pakistan, under the leadership of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and the Government of Pakistan, under the leadership of Shehbaz Sharif, who taught them a great lesson,” he added. “True, without successful international effort or a successful international treaty or bindings, we won’t be able to live on this globe. But there is also a higher power. Today, we hear things such as the Indian Prime Minister planning to block Pakistan’s water. But air and water has been promised to us by God Almighty. No one can stop it from reaching us,” he concluded. Two-day PIIA conference on global crises opens Earlier, PIIA’s Honorary Chairperson Dr Masuma Hasan said that as the world shifts from unipolarity to an emerging multilateral order, in which middle powers are beginning to play an important role, global politics is marked by violence. “Big and small wars are taking place across the globe, wars in Ukraine, Sudan, Myanmar, the Sahel, among others, leading to loss of life, displacement and immense human suffering, including the unprovoked attack by Israel and the United States on the Islamic Republic of Iran,” she said. “Millions of people across the world have been displaced and are on the move because of these conflicts and crises. But the most outstanding, however, in brutality is the suffering inflicted by Israel on the people of Palestine. This is a civilisational war, aimed at eliminating the very identity of the Palestinian people, which has not only killed and maimed thousands in Gaza and the West Bank but has also bombed their material and spiritual assets, universities, schools, hospitals and healthcare facilities. It has perversely used starvation as a weapon of war and blocked access to humanitarian aid, food, sanitation and water. It will take many generations to remove the rubble and restore life and dignity to Gaza. We have witnessed a grave moral tragedy,” Dr Masuma added. The first keynote address was delivered by Adviser to the Strategic Plans Division, Government of Pakistan, Ambassador Zamir Akram, who said that we are living on the precipice of an abyss because what we are confronting is a perfect storm. “We are confronting the collapse of the international system that evolved after World War II. Even though it was imperfect, it still maintained some modicum of security and stability around the world. But this order is now collapsing and it reminds me, as a student of history, of such a collapse that took place with the concept of Europe leading to World War I and of the league of nations that led to World War II. “The only difference is that this time around, unlike in the previous systems, which were based around, unlike in the previous systems, which were based on a balance of power, exercised through conventional forces and conventional means, we are today in a situation, after the use of nuclear weapons in Japan by the United States, living in a state of a balance of terror exercised by nuclear weapons. It is this balance of terror that led to a group of scientists, including Albert Einstein and J. Robert Oppenheimer, belonging to the University of Chicago, to set up what is now known as the Doomsday Clock. “The Doomsday Clock was set up in 1947 and it measures how close the world is towards Armageddon. And the closer you get to midnight, the closer the world is to catastrophe. The measurement is done on the basis of three basic issues: the potential use of nuclear weapons, the advancements of technology and the changes in climate. The farthest the world has been from Armageddon or midnight on this clock was 17 minutes, which was in 1991 when the Soviet Union collapsed. “Now as of January 2026, the clock has moved to 85 seconds to midnight. We were that close to disaster. Why is this the case? First, because of wars and crises that have taken place between countries that are nuclear weapon states or are potential possessors of nuclear weapons. We have seen for the last three odd years the war in Ukraine, which is not just a war between Russia and Ukraine but a war between Russia and the Nato alliance, both of which are nuclear weapon entities. The possibility of a nuclear exchange, even by accident, is just one miscalculation away. In 2025, we witnessed a short conflict between two nuclear powers, Pakistan and India. Fortunately, the war did not last for more than four days but the potential of a miscalculation always remained. Again now, we are seeing two nuclear powers, the US and Israel attack Iran and try to destroy its nuclear facilities, which apart from the potential release of radioactivity, can also push Iran towards acquiring its own nuclear weapons. So this is the situation that we are confronting in the world today,” he said. The second keynote was delivered by the Founder and President of the Centre for China and Globalisation, a leading Chinese non-governmental think tank, Dr Wang Huiyao, via Zoom from Beijing. He said that big powers such as the US and China need to act together and look towards constructing instead of destructing. “China and the US have to find a way to co-exist peacefully as major powers need to take on major responsibility,” he pointed out. Published in Dawn, May 10th, 2026
10 May 2026
Finmin says economic recovery remains intact amid regional conflict, assures uninterrupted fuel supply
Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb on Saturday said Pakistan’s economy continued to show signs of recovery despite ongoing regional tensions, citing strong growth in large-scale manufacturing, exports, remittances and foreign investment inflows. Addressing a news conference alongside Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik, the finance minister said the country’s large-scale manufacturing (LSM) sector recorded 11 per cent year-on-year growth in April, while cumulative growth during the first nine months of the current fiscal year stood at 6.5pc. He said the government expected the GDP growth rate to remain close to 4pc during the current fiscal year, compared to 3.1pc last year. Exports have grown by 9pc month-on-month and 14pc year-on-year, driven by value-added textiles, IT and other sectors, he said, adding that the export growth was broad-based. Highlighting overseas inflows, Aurangzeb said remittances reached $3.5 billion in April after touching $3.8bn in March during Ramazan, describing the sustained inflows as a strong vote of confidence from overseas Pakistanis. The finance czar added that inflows under the Roshan Digital Account (RDA) also rose sharply to $320 million in April, the highest monthly volume in the scheme’s history. “This is an investment-led discussion. Overseas Pakistanis are investing in New Pakistan Certificates, real estate and the stock market,” he remarked. The minister further said Pakistan had re-entered international capital markets after four years and recently raised $750 million through a Eurobond issuance despite the ongoing regional conflict. He added that Pakistan was set to access Chinese capital markets for the first time through a Panda Bond next week. “Next week you will hear good news that, for the first time, we will be accessing Chinese capital markets through a Panda Bond,” he said. The finance minister further said the country’s foreign exchange reserves were projected to reach a level equivalent to around three months of import cover by the end of June. He also said macroeconomic stability was intended to ensure industrial continuity, facilitate the opening of letters of credit and the repatriation of profits and dividends, and generate employment opportunities. Commending the Petroleum Ministry for maintaining uninterrupted fuel supplies over the past two months, the finance minister said no shortages or supply chain disruptions had occurred in the country despite challenges across the region. “There have been shortages and long queues in different countries, but nothing of that sort happened in Pakistan,” he said, appreciating the efforts of the petroleum minister and his team. Referring to recent fuel price adjustments, Aurangzeb said the government had continued targeted subsidies for vulnerable segments, including motorcyclists, public transport users and small farmers, in consultation with provincial governments. He said the subsidies had now been extended into the third month at the direction of the prime minister and chief ministers to provide relief to weaker sections of society. The finance minister, however, cautioned that Pakistan’s oil import bill had increased by over $1 billion between March and April, urging the public to exercise restraint in energy consumption to protect the external account position. “Our external account is equally important. We all need to be careful in our consumption patterns,” he said. Aurangzeb said Pakistan remained committed to fulfilling all international financial obligations with bilateral and multilateral partners as a responsible country. He also expressed hope that the regional conflict would end soon, warning that damage to regional energy infrastructure could take months to recover even after hostilities ceased. “We are monitoring the possible impact on inflation, GDP growth, remittances and exports because hope alone is not a strategy,” he remarked.
9 May 2026
Pakistan expands US lobbying push with focus on defence, critical minerals and policy influence
WASHINGTON: Pakistan has significantly expanded its lobbying and strategic communications footprint in the United States, signing a new $1.2 million contract with a Washington-based advisory firm as it seeks deeper engagement on defence cooperation, critical minerals and broader economic diplomacy in an increasingly competitive policy environment. According to filings submitted under the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), Ervin Graves Strategy Group LLC registered on May 1 as an official foreign agent of Pakistan’s embassy in Washington under a two-year contract valued at $1.2m, requiring payments of $50,000 per month for its services. FARA requires the public listing of all lobbyists or lobbying firms working for a foreign entity, including governments and private corporations. The agreement tasks the firm with a wide-ranging mandate that includes lobbying US policymakers, government-relations work, legislative monitoring, stakeholder engagement, media messaging, think tank outreach, and policy advisory support. More notably, the contract explicitly extends into areas of strategic economic and security interest, including trade and investment promotion, critical minerals cooperation, and defence and security engagement — sectors that have gained renewed importance in US foreign policy thinking amid global supply-chain realignments and intensifying great-power competition. The arrangement reflects Islamabad’s effort to reposition its Washington outreach beyond traditional diplomatic messaging, placing greater emphasis on sector-specific engagement and structured access to US policy networks. In Washington, such contracts are increasingly viewed as part of a broader ecosystem of influence-building, where governments rely on specialised advisory firms, former officials and policy intermediaries to shape perceptions across Congress, the executive branch, think tanks and the media. When asked why Pakistan needs to hire lobbyists in Washington despite having an embassy, a Pakistan Embassy official said: “Countries have been hiring lobbyists in Washington since 1938. This is how the American system works. They expect you to work with and within the system. Registering under FARA ensures transparency.” Pakistan’s latest engagement comes as its lobbying strategy in the US capital has evolved into a more layered and diversified structure in recent years, combining embassy-driven diplomacy with external advisory networks. Earlier FARA filings show that Islamabad and affiliated organisations have engaged multiple US-based firms to manage legislative outreach, public messaging and policy engagement efforts, particularly around bilateral relations and economic cooperation. The latest contract also underscores a shift in emphasis toward economic security themes — particularly critical minerals — which have become central to US strategic policy as Washington seeks to diversify supply chains away from China and secure access to inputs essential for defence manufacturing, renewable energy technologies and semiconductor production. Defence and security cooperation, another key component of the agreement, reflects Pakistan’s longstanding objective of maintaining institutional channels with US security and policy establishments, even during periods of political strain in bilateral relations. Pakistan’s lobbying push is taking place in a broader and increasingly competitive foreign influence environment in Washington, where multiple countries have intensified their engagement strategies. India, in particular, has maintained an active and highly structured lobbying presence in the US, often leveraging former political advisers and communications strategists to shape congressional and media narratives on South Asia and regional security. Following the Pahalgam attack in India-occupied Kashmir in April 2025, both India and Pakistan further expanded their use of Washington-based consultants linked to the Trump administration’s political circles, underscoring the extent to which South Asian diplomacy in the US has become closely tied to political consulting networks. In this evolving environment, Pakistan’s latest $1.2m engagement signals an effort to consolidate and professionalise its Washington strategy — moving toward a more targeted approach that integrates defence, economic diplomacy and policy messaging under a single advisory framework. While FARA filings provide transparency into contractual relationships, they also reflect a deeper structural reality in Washington: that foreign policy influence is increasingly mediated through private consultancies, former officials and specialised lobbying networks, rather than traditional diplomatic channels alone. For Pakistan, the challenge remains not only access to policymakers, but sustained narrative presence in a crowded and politically polarised Washington ecosystem where multiple regional conflicts and strategic priorities compete for attention.
9 May 2026
Suicide attack targets police post in KP's Bannu, casualties feared
BANNU: A suspected suicide attack was carried out on the Fateh Khel police post in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district on Saturday, using a vehicle laden with explosives. The attack triggered multiple powerful explosions followed by intense gunfire in the area. According to sources, at least four explosions occurred during the attack, which were heard some distance away and spread fear and panic among local residents. Initial reports suggest that a vehicle filled with explosives was rammed into the police post, after which the attackers opened heavy fire from multiple directions. Casualties are feared in the attack; however, there is no official confirmation yet. Further reports indicated that nearby civilian areas also suffered severe damage due to the explosions. Following the incident, additional contingents of Bannu police reached the site, while rescue teams were also dispatched. Bannu Regional Police Officer Sajjad Khan personally led the police operation, said police. According to police officials, Bannu police personnel are “responding with bravery, courage and professional skill”, while a search operation has been launched after the area was cordoned off. Meanwhile, an emergency has been declared in all three hospitals in the district. Police checkpoints and snap-checking have been intensified across the city, while residents have also come out in support of law enforcement personnel. Security agencies are closely monitoring the situation. A day prior, an explosion, following the reported crash of a quadcopter drone , injured eight people, including women, in a residential area in Bannu. According to police, the drone flew into the area from an unknown location and exploded shortly after falling near a residential area, leaving several people injured. Bannu district has been the scene of repeated security incidents in recent months, with both civilians and local security forces coming under attack amid a broader surge in militant violence. Violence in Bannu has included attacks on police and jirga members, prompting targeted operations by police and security forces in various localities to disrupt militant networks.
9 May 2026
Marka-i-Haq a 'defining landmark in the nation’s journey': ISPR
Marka-i-Haq is a “defining landmark” in the nation’s journey, the military said on Saturday as Pakistan marked the first anniversary of the brief war with India. In a statement released by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military said that the brief conflict demonstrated Pakistan’s measured and resolute response and “exposed adversarial conspiracies, false flag narratives and disinformation campaigns, diminishing their credibility internationally”. Last year’s confrontation with India, beginning with the April 22 Pahalgam attack and the subsequent military conflict — which resulted in a resounding victory for Pakistan — until the ceasefire on May 10, is now referred to by the state as Marka-i-Haq (Battle of Truth). “ Marka-i-Haq has become a defining landmark in the nation’s journey, reflecting national resolve, military excellence, and strategic maturity.” “Despite facing conventional and hybrid challenges, including proxy terrorism, the Armed Forces demonstrated superior operational competence across land, air, sea, cyber, and information domains,” the statement added. According to ISPR, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf also congratulated the nation and all ranks of the armed forces on the day. The statement added that the anniversary is being observed with “deep reverence, gratitude, and national fervour”, adding that the day stands as a testament to the “enduring spirit of courage, professionalism, and unity”. In the aftermath of Marka-i-Haq , Pakistan bolstered its defence capabilities and reinforced full-spectrum deterrence despite a disparity in resources, ISPR stated, adding that the occasion is a testament to the military’s “preparedness, dedication, and professionalism, which decisively strengthened public confidence in their armed forces”. “The anniversary also reaffirms Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty while promoting peace and stability in the region,” the statement read. “Pakistan believes that sustainable peace in South Asia can only be achieved through meaningful dialogue, mutual respect, and adherence to international law and principles of justice.”
9 May 2026
PTI demands judicial commission to identify, punish culprits behind May 9 riots
ISLAMABAD: The PTI has demanded the formation of an independent judicial commission to conduct a “transparent, impartial and credible probe” into the events of May 9 , to bring the suspects to justice. The party has termed May 9, 2023, “one of the darkest days in Pakistan’s political history”, when former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan was arrested from the premises of the Islamabad High Court. He is currently incarcerated in Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail, where he is regularly denied meetings with family members and party leaders. In a strongly worded statement on Saturday, PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram asserted that the PTI founder’s arrest not only violated the sanctity of the judiciary but also set “a dangerous precedent of state repression and authoritarianism”. “This action was an open violation of the Constitution, the law, and fundamental human rights,” Akram stressed, demanding the immediate release of Imran, his spouse Bushra Bibi and other party workers and members without further delay. “[The] Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf has been demanding transparent, impartial, and independent investigations into the events of May 9 from the first day and remains steadfast in this demand,” he added. “We have repeatedly made it clear that a judicial commission comprising serving senior judges of the Supreme Court should be established to bring all facts before the nation.” He maintained that only a judicial probe can uncover the truth about the incident and ensure accountability for those responsible. Akram recalled that Imran had repeatedly demanded the formation of an independent judicial commission to determine responsibility, but noted that no commission has been established to date despite those calls. “We once again demand the immediate formation of a judicial commission comprising senior judges of the Supreme Court. All CCTV footage related to the events of May 9 must be made public without delay,” he demanded. Akram also raised serious concerns over the disappearance of CCTV footage related to the May 9 incidents, questioning the transparency of the investigations and saying the absence of such key evidence raised significant doubts about the fairness of the process. “Its unavailability raises serious questions about the justice system and strengthens the impression that facts are being deliberately concealed,” he asserted. He further demanded that all detainees arrested in the aftermath of the riots, including women, be released immediately, arguing that many were detained without evidence or proper legal justification. “These actions are not only violations of human rights but also reflect the illegitimate use of state power,” Akram stressed. “The nation awaits the truth. No matter how much [the] facts are suppressed, they eventually come to light one day or another.” Meanwhile, the Tehreek Tahaffuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) has asserted in a statement that May 9, 2023, was “one of the darkest days in Pakistan’s political history”, when an attempt was made to alter the country’s political direction through unconstitutional and unlawful means. TTAP spokesperson Hussain Ahmed Yousafzai claimed that the events of May 9 were used primarily as “justification for political actions against opponents, causing serious damage to constitutional freedoms, fundamental human rights, and the democratic political process in the country”.
9 May 2026
'Etched in history': PM Shehbaz says Pakistan cannot be 'intimidated or subdued' as nation marks Marka-i-Haq anniversary
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Saturday that Pakistan can neither be “intimidated nor subdued by any aggressor” as the nation marks the first anniversary of Marka-i-Haq . Last year’s confrontation with India, beginning with the April 22 Pahalgam attack and the subsequent military conflict — which resulted as a resounding victory for Pakistan — until the ceasefire on May 10, is now referred to by the state as Marka-i-Haq (Battle of Truth). “ Marka-i-Haq bears testimony that Pakistanis are a peace-loving, yet courageous, resilient, and dignified nation who can neither be intimidated nor subdued by any aggressor,” said the premier in a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). The prime minister, expressing his gratitude to the Almighty, said the day commemorates Pakistan’s “valiant stand in adversity” and the “crushing defeat” inflicted upon India. “The nation pays tribute to its martyrs, their families and the ghazis who stood like a steel wall to defend their homeland,” said the statement. The premier said the well-coordinated and synchronised response by Pakistan’s armed forces across land, sea, air and cyber domains established Pakistan as an “invincible nation”. He said Marka-i-Haq is etched in history as an “epic feat of achieving overwhelming dominance over an enemy, bent on unprovoked aggression”. PM Shehbaz maintained that India was administered a “heavy dose of reality serum to dispel its illusion of invincibility”. He maintained that there should be no doubt that any aggression to undermine the country will be met with immediate, befitting and full-spectrum response, adding that the nation “stand determined and vigilant to ensure security” along its frontiers. The premier also paid tribute to Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for his bold and courageous leadership and Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber and Navy Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf for their strategic prudence, added the statement. “We also salute officers and soldiers of the valiant Armed Forces, who, with unflinching support of the Pakistani nation, inscribed a new chapter in Pakistan-India context,” said the PMO statement. He maintained that Pakistan clearly manifested its desire for peace during the conflict, while also re-establishing deterrence and safeguarding its security, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Referring to terrorism in Pakistan, the prime minister said the nation remains “steadfast in our efforts to root out ‘ Fitna al Khawarij ’ and ‘ Fitna al Hindustan ’ and take the fight against terrorism to its logical conclusion”. Fitna al Khawarij is a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, while Fitna al Hindustan is a term designated by the state for terrorist organisations in Balochistan. On occupied Kashmir, the premier maintained that it remains an unfinished agenda of Partition and strategic stability in the region would remain a distant dream without resolution of the Kashmir issue. “Strategic stability in South Asia, without the resolution of Kashmir issue, would remain a distant dream which needs to be resolved in accordance with the United Nations resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. Pakistan shall continue to stand by the fundamental right of freedom and self-determination of Kashmiri people,” said the statement. Prime Minister Shehbaz elaborated that a year on, Pakistan is recognised as a responsible nation that “not only knows how to defend itself, but has also emerged as a guarantor of global peace and stability”. Touching on recent efforts to end the Iran-US conflict, the premier said the country has earned worldwide acknowledgement for its role as a key mediator and its efforts to end the violence. “Commemorating the sacrifices of our martyrs during Marka-i-Haq , let us pledge to face our adversaries like a ‘Steel Wall’ and work selflessly for the destined glory of this great homeland,” the statement concluded.
9 May 2026
Abbas takes five wickets to put Pakistan ahead in Bangladesh Test
Mohammad Abbas claimed five wickets to restrict Bangladesh to 413, before two debutant batsmen combined to put Pakistan in a strong position in the first Test on Saturday. Opener Azan Awais hit an unbeaten 85 and Abdullah Fazal, also playing in his first Test, was 37 not out as Pakistan reached 179-1 at stumps on the second day in Dhaka. The visitors trail Bangladesh by 234 runs, but veteran Pakistan seamer Abbas was the standout performer, claiming three wickets in the morning session after the home side resumed at 301-4. Abbas took two more wickets after lunch and finished with figures of 5-92 from 34 overs, the sixth five-wicket haul of his career. Debutant Azan Awais plays a shot during the second day of the first Test cricket match between Bangladesh and Pakistan at the Sher-i-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Bangladesh on May 9, 2026. — X/@TheRealPCB Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto laid a strong platform on the first day with 101. Mushfiqur Rahim, who was 48 not out overnight, then went on to make a gritty 71 off 179 balls. He celebrated his 39th birthday by equalling Tamim Iqbal’s record of 42 innings of 50 or more for Bangladesh in Test cricket. Bangladesh began day two well before 36-year-old Abbas dismantled their innings with disciplined bowling. Litton Das fell for 33 while attempting a pull shot, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz was out for 10 one ball after hitting a six. Taijul Islam edged a bouncer from Abbas for 17 before Shaheen Shah Afridi bowled Mushfiqur in the first over after lunch. Taskin Ahmed made a late cameo of 28 before falling to Afridi, who finished with 3-113. Senior assistant coach Mohammad Salahuddin lamented that Bangladesh was unable to post a bigger score and pinpointed slips catching as an area of concern after two chances were dropped. “I think if we could have scored another 50-60 runs, it would have been much better for us,” he said. “Our slip catching needs a lot of improvement. It is a specialised area, and we will talk about how to improve further.” Pakistan began their innings strongly, with Imam-ul-Haq and Azan adding 106 for the opening wicket before Mehidy trapped Imam lbw for 45. Imam praised Abbas and the two new batsmen. “Abbas bowled very well, everybody knows how good he is,” Imam said. “The way Azan batted, taking and absorbing all the pressure, the kid really held his composure. I am very happy to see both of them playing so well,” he said.
9 May 2026
A look at the new capabilities Pakistan employed against India during Marka-i-Haq
A year ago, Pakistan and India fought a short but intense war — the worst military confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours in decades. During the period of Marka-i-Haq (the battle for truth), Indian fighter jets were shot down, and Pakistan launched Operation Bunyamum Marsoos — a barrage of attacks against Indian military targets — in retaliation for missile strikes by New Delhi. The conflict ended with a US-brokered ceasefire. During the four-day war, Pakistan showcased a wide variety of weaponry and military technology, ranging from advanced missiles to network-linked warfare systems. Let’s take a look at some of them here. ‘Seeing without seeing’ — network-centric warfare One of the deadliest tools in Pakistan’s arsenal was unleashed in the early hours of May 7: the use of network-centric warfare. This doctrine involves sharing real-time data and information across multiple domains, such as between fighter jets, airborne early warning aircraft and ground-based command centres, to gain an advantage through the use of information sharing and battlefield awareness. This was achieved by integrating both Chinese and Western hardware into a single, coherent structure, with indigenously developed software. Intelligence and information were shared among ground assets, fighter jets and support aircraft in real time to detect incoming Indian jets on the first night of the conflict and establish a kill chain. It also allowed for “beyond visual range” combat — targeting aircraft over a hundred kilometres away and shooting down at least six Indian fighter jets, including French-made Dassault Rafales. Brigadier (retd) Masood Ahmed told Dawn that the use of real-time data sharing enabled Pakistan Air Force pilots to “see” Indian aircraft from beyond visual range, and they “laid an ambush” for incoming Indian Air Force jets. The future of warfare in the present — drones Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) can carry out a wide array of tasks — ranging from surveillance to kinetic action — at a far lower cost than conventional systems. Their use has grown globally in recent years, from Ukraine to the Middle East and was used widely by both sides last May, according to a report published by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) last August. “Drones played a major role in surveillance, cross-border strikes, and even targeting infrastructure,” it says, noting that Pakistan used aerial platforms for strikes and surveillance, and loitering munitions, also known as “kamikaze drones” during Operation Bunyanum Marsoos. In response to Indian drone and missile strikes on the night of May 9, Pakistan targeted 36 different military sites inside India in the early hours of May 10, including bases such as Udhampur, Jammu, and Pathankot with drones such as YIHA III loitering munition, Asisguard Songar quadcopter, and China’s CH-4 and Wing Loong II medium-range long-endurance (MALE) platforms. The Irregular Warfare Initiative notes that Pakistan’s drone architecture is “based on a mix of homegrown development, partnerships with Turkey and China, and adaptability”. It further notes that Islamabad’s strength in the drone arena lies in flexible procurement and the “creative usage of commercial systems”. “Operationally, drones were employed to test radar coverage, identify gaps in low-altitude air-defence networks, and conduct stand-off targeting of logistics nodes and forward facilities,” the Initiative outlines. “Unlike earlier crises, drones were not confined to surveillance or cross-border nuisance activity; they were integrated into signalling strategies intended to demonstrate resolve while avoiding immediate escalation to manned airpower.” An image showing a fleet of drones. — Photo courtesy ISPR ‘Rafale killer’ — J-10C fighter jet The Chengdu J-10C is a single-engine, fourth-generation multirole combat aircraft manufactured in China. Boasting a top speed of Mach 1.8, it can be fitted with a variety of air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions. It played a key role on the first night of hostilities, shooting down six Rafale jets belonging to the Indian Air Force (IAF). Speaking at the procurement ceremony in 2022, PAF Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar said of the jet: “The J-10C has a fully integrated weapons, avionics and electronic warfare suite that makes it a potent combat system under the contemporary environment of non-contact warfare.” A Pakistan Air Force J-10C fighter jet takes flight in March 2022. — Reuters/File ‘Tip of the spear’ — PL-15 Air-to-Air Missile The PL-15 is a Chinese air-to-air missile designed for “beyond visual range” combat, with a top speed of Mach 5 and a range of 200 to 300 kilometres. These missiles were used in the air battle on the first night of the war, launched from J-10C fighter jets. Experts believe this to be the first use of PL-15s in combat. Ahmed said that through data sharing between PAF and ground-based assets, the missiles were able to track and strike targets across the border with India. An image of a PL-15 Air-to-Air Missile attached to a J-10C fighter jet. — Photo courtesy International Institute of Strategic Studies ‘A winner that lives up to the name’ — Fatah missile system The Fatah guided multiple launch rocket system (GMLRS) is an indigenous rocket artillery system capable of firing guided missiles and rockets of varying calibres and ranges. These systems were used during Operation Bunyanum Marsoos to strike Indian military targets. The Fatah-II missile, which can be fired by this launcher, has a range of 400 km, according to defence outlet Jane’s . “They were used because of their precision and, at the same time, because of their mobility. They were very quick to deploy, so that was one of the advantages,” Brig (retd) Ahmed explained, adding that the system was also integrated into the Pakistan Army’s networks as part of network-centric warfare. View this post on Instagram ‘Something you don’t want to be hit by’ — CM-400AKG missile The CM-400AKG is a Chinese air-launched supersonic anti-ship missile, though it can also be used to attack ground targets, as seen during the war last year. Boasting a speed of Mach 4.5-5, the missile has a range of 400km. It was used to destroy Indian S-400 air defence systems during Operation Bunyanum Marsoos. According to the South China Morning Post , this was the first-ever combat use of the weapons system. An image of a CM-400AKG air-to-ground missile, alongside a Pakistan Air Force JF-17 Thunder fighter jet. — Facebook/ISPR Updates
9 May 2026
Israel to release Gaza flotilla activists today ahead of deportation: rights group
Israel will release two foreign activists taken off a Gaza-bound flotilla from detention on Saturday before handing them to immigration authorities ahead of their deportation, the rights group representing them said. Saif Abu Keshek, a Spanish national of Palestinian origin, and Brazilian Thiago Avila were among dozens of activists aboard a flotilla that was intercepted by the Israeli navy in international waters off the coast of Greece on April 30. The pair were seized by Israeli forces and brought to Israel for questioning, while the others were taken to the Greek island of Crete and released. “Today, the Shabak Israeli intelligence agency informed Adalah’s legal team that Global Sumud Flotilla activists and leaders Thiago Avila and Saif Abukeshek would be released from Israeli detention today, Saturday,” the rights group Adalah said in a statement. “They will be handed to Israel’s immigration authorities later today and kept in custody pending their deportation,” it added. Adalah said it was closely monitoring developments “to make sure that the release from detention goes ahead, followed by their deportation from Israel in the coming days”. On Tuesday, an Israeli court extended the pair’s detention until Sunday to allow police more time to interrogate them, according to their lawyers. The lawyers then filed an appeal against their continued detention, but it was rejected by a district court on Wednesday. Spain, Brazil and the United Nations had all called for their swift release. Avila and Abu Keshek “have been held unlawfully by Israel for over a week after being taken into Israeli detention”, Adalah said on Saturday. “Throughout their detention, they were held in total isolation under punitive conditions despite the purely civilian nature of their mission,” it added. Both Avila and Abu Keshek had been on hunger strike while in detention, Adalah said, adding that Abu Keshek had “escalated to refusing water on the evening of May 5”. Israeli authorities have previously rejected allegations of abuse but have filed no charges against the men. Adalah previously said authorities had accused the pair of “assisting the enemy during wartime” and “membership in and providing services to a terrorist organisation”. Israel claims both men were affiliated with the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA), a group accused by Washington of “clandestinely acting on behalf of” Hamas. The flotilla had set sail from France, Spain and Italy with the aim of breaking Israel’s blockade of Gaza and delivering humanitarian aid to the war-ravaged Palestinian territory. Israel controls all entry points into Gaza, which has been under an Israeli blockade since 2007.
9 May 2026
Drug supplier, extortionist arrested in separate police operations in Karachi
KARACHI: The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) on Saturday claimed to have arrested an alleged supplier of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as ice, and an extortionist in separate actions in the metropolis. The SIU and a federal civilian intelligence agency, acting on a tip-off, jointly carried out an operation at the Lyari riverbed and arrested the narcotics dealer in an injured condition after an “encounter”. “The arrested suspect is a notorious dealer of heroin and crystal meth in the city,” claimed SIU Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dr Samiullah Soomro. “He has been in the narcotics business since 2019 along with his two brothers,” he said. In 2019, the suspect was arrested by the Site Superhighway Industrial Area police and sent to jail in connection with a robbery case. After being released from jail, he, along with his brothers, started selling drugs in New Karachi, near 4-K Chowrangi, Allah Wali Chowrangi, Power House, and the surrounding areas. Separately, the SIU also arrested an alleged extortionist near People’s Chowrangi in Jamshed Quarters. “The arrested suspect is a member of an extortion gang led by Sameer, who is the son of ex-gang leader Mama Bashir ,” said the SIU SSP. “This gang is operating in District East and is involved in collecting extortion from wine shops, biryani centres, cardboard factories, printing presses, and various other businesses,” the officer added. The arrested suspect and his gang were also involved in drug trafficking and multiple street crimes, he further said. In October 2025, Karachi’s business community expressed serious concerns over an alarming surge in cases of extortion. Citing reports, the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (Kati) provided a breakdown of the 96 extortion cases registered in 2025, with District Central being the most affected (37 cases), followed by District West (20), District East (15), and District City (12). The data also indicated five cases in Malir and three in Korangi. In December, Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar said five major extortion networks operating from abroad were active in Karachi and that efforts were underway to have their ringleaders extradited and arrested. He had identified the ringleaders of the five networks as Wasiullah Lakho, Jameel Changa, Bahadur PMT, Gul Sher Jagirani and Azeem.
9 May 2026
WHO chief arrives in Spain before hantavirus-hit ship evacuation
The World Health Organisation (WHO) chief said on Saturday he had arrived in Spain and would join government officials to oversee the disembarkation of a hantavirus-hit cruise ship in the Canary Islands. “I arrived in Spain, where I will join senior government officials in a mission to Tenerife to oversee safe disembarkation of the passengers, crew members and health experts from MV Hondius cruise ship,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on X, stressing, “at this stage, there are no additional people on board showing symptoms of hantavirus.” He noted that the risk to the Canary Islands and the rest of the world “remains low”. Three passengers from the MV Hondius — a Dutch husband and wife and a German woman — have died , while others have fallen sick with the rare disease, which usually spreads among rodents. The only hantavirus strain that can transmit from person to person — Andes virus — has been confirmed among those who have tested positive, fuelling international concern. The Dutch-flagged vessel, which has around 150 people on board, is expected to arrive at the Spanish Canary Island of Tenerife on Sunday. Special flights will then take passengers to their home countries. Earlier Friday, the WHO said that the hantavirus outbreak posed a minimal risk to the general public. “This is a dangerous virus, but only to the person who’s really infected, and the risk to the general population remains absolutely low,” WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier told reporters. A picture was emerging from MV Hondius where “even those who have been sharing cabins don’t seem to be both infected in some cases”, when one has fallen sick, he added. “The virus is not that contagious that it easily jumps from person to person,” he said. The WHO said on Friday there were six confirmed out of eight suspected cases of the virus so far. There are no suspected cases remaining on the ship. KLM flight attendant negative A flight attendant on the Dutch airline KLM, who came into contact with an infected passenger from the cruise ship and later showed mild symptoms, tested negative for hantavirus, the WHO said on Friday. The passenger — the wife of the first person to die in the outbreak — had briefly been on a plane bound from Johannesburg to the Netherlands on April 25, but was removed before take-off. She died the following day in a Johannesburg hospital. Spanish authorities said a woman on that flight was being tested for hantavirus, having developed symptoms at home in eastern Spain. She is in isolation in hospital, said health secretary Javier Padilla. “This is a pretty unlikely case,” he told reporters: someone “two rows behind the person who died with hantavirus”. Spanish interior ministry sources said a South African woman who was also on the flight “is currently asymptomatic in South Africa after staying in Barcelona for a week before returning to her country”. Two Singapore residents who had been on the ship tested negative for the disease but would remain in quarantine, the city-state’s authorities said Friday. Relief on board The MV Hondius left Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1 for a cruise across the Atlantic Ocean to Cape Verde. Three suspected cases, including two crew members who later tested positive, were evacuated from Cape Verde to the Netherlands. The third person tested negative, German authorities said on Friday, but would remain under observation. Provincial health official Juan Petrina said there was an “almost zero chance” the Dutch man linked to the outbreak contracted the disease in Ushuaia based on the virus’s incubation period, among other factors. YouTuber Kasem Ibn Hattuta, who is travelling on the Hondius, said passengers were reassured that doctors had joined the ship. “We finally left Cape Verde, which was a relief for everyone on board, especially knowing that our sick colleagues are finally getting the medical care they need,” he said in a statement. Everyone was keeping in high spirits, he added: “People are smiling and taking the situation calmly.” People were wearing masks indoors and keeping their distance from others, he said. Repatriation plans The United States said on Friday it was arranging an evacuation flight for Americans on the ship, who would then be taken to a quarantine facility in Nebraska. Spanish authorities have said the ship will anchor off Tenerife and will not be allowed to dock. Passengers will be transferred to shore on a smaller vessel, then by bus to the airport. The evacuation must happen between Sunday and Monday due to likely adverse weather conditions afterwards, the Canarian regional government said. Dockers in Tenerife protested on Friday against the arrival of the ship. The cruise called at several remote British islands in the South Atlantic. British health authorities said on Friday there was a suspected case on Tristan da Cunha, one of the world’s most isolated settlements with around 220 people.
9 May 2026
'No home left' for Gazans stranded in West Bank
Under the bleachers of a West Bank stadium, a dozen men from Gaza live in a former changing room, blocked from returning home by the war that erupted more than two-and-a-half years ago. Among those stranded is Sameer Abu Salah, 54, who had been working odd jobs in Israel’s commercial hub of Tel Aviv, where wages are far higher than in his home city of Khan Yunis in Gaza. He had then gone to Nablus, in the north of the occupied West Bank, where he is now trapped. “I entered (Israel) only four days before the war,” he said from the little space he had set up under the stands of Nablus city stadium. “I was respected and honoured. Then the war happened,” he added, referring to Israel’s relentless military campaign in the Palestinian enclave following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack . Abu Salah now makes a living collecting and reselling recyclables, sending money to his family after losing two sons to Israeli airstrikes. A Palestinian man sits inside a damaged building, a day after of an Israeli strike at the Shati refugee camp (Beach) in Gaza City, on May 9, 2026. —AFP “Look at me now — I live in a tent. We used to live with dignity, while here we’ve been thrown aside like dogs,” he said. Abu Salah, who is “obsessed with cleanliness”, has made the most of his situation: he fashioned a dresser out of cardboard boxes and decorated his walls with Palestinian flags and a portrait of historic Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat he found during his street sweeps. Counting all those stranded is difficult, but the Palestinian Authority’s labour ministry said in March it had provided cash assistance to 4,605 Gazans stuck in the West Bank. Though leaving the city’s boundaries is tolerated, the men under the bleachers still fear it, citing friends who were stopped at an Israeli army checkpoint and sent back to Gaza. ‘In a jail’ “It’s boring, but what can we do? We’re in a jail,” said Sameh, who came 10 days before the conflict erupted to get medical treatment for his son that was unavailable in Gaza. His son returned, but Sameh, who declined to share his last name for fear of retribution, stayed behind to provide for the family. Inside the changing room, he put up sheets on rope as dividers for his personal space in a manner reminiscent of the large tent camps of Gaza, “to live like my family”. All the men AFP spoke to in the stadium had lost their homes in airstrikes. They showed videos of their homes before and photos of the piles of rubble after. A Palestinian woman looks for her belongings inside a damaged building, a day after of an Israeli strike at the Shati refugee camp (Beach) in Gaza City, on May 9, 2026. —AFP Nahed al-Hilou, a Gaza businessman now living in Ramallah, is equally afraid of leaving the central West Bank city he moved to from Tel Aviv after the war broke out. Hilou, 43, left Gaza two days before October 7 on a business permit to find goods to import into the blockaded territory, where he had a restaurant employing 30 people in Gaza City’s upscale Rimal neighbourhood. He found his way to Ramallah, where he opened a successful downtown falafel restaurant to make a living, and above all, feed his family still in Gaza. “I turned to what I know: my work, my profession, something I love,” he said. He now employs nine people, all Gazans, and cooks Gaza-style: spicy. Like all those outside, he worries constantly for his immediate family, who luckily all survived the war. “We spent 20 days not knowing anything about them,” Hilou said. Asked about the possibility of returning, he waved it off. “Of course, Gaza is dearer than here, but there, there is no home left, nothing.” No jobs, high prices According to the UN, 81 per cent of Gaza’s structures were destroyed during the war, and its economy along with them. The UN says that unemployment in the territory soared to 80pc after the war, while prices for goods skyrocketed due in part to Israeli restrictions on truck entries. Israel still controls about half of Gaza, and Israeli fire has killed at least 846 people since the start of a US-brokered ceasefire in October 2025. Palestinians inspect the site, a day after of an Israeli strike at the Shati refugee camp (Beach) in Gaza City, on May 9, 2026. —AFP Shahdeh Zaarb, 45, is luckier than his fellow Gazans, for he holds West Bank residency, having worked there regularly for the past 20 years. From the northern Gaza city of Beit Lahia, known for its strawberry fields before the war, Zaarb has opened a farm in the West Bank city of Qalqilya. But despite his relative freedom, Zaarb has not seen his children since 2021, and shares the same problem as the others. “My children are in one place, I’m in another, and I can’t bring them here because of the crossings.”
9 May 2026
At UN, Pakistan raises alarm at Israel's systematic annexation of occupied West Bank
Pakistan has raised alarm at the systematic annexation of the occupied West Bank, expansion of illegal settlements and the forced displacement of Palestinians, calling for the intervention of the global community. The stance was expressed by Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad at the Arria-formula meeting on the situation in the occupied territory. “While international attention is consumed by multiple crises across the region, the systematic annexation of the occupied West Bank, expansion of illegal settlements, demolitions, land seizures and forced displacement of Palestinians continue unabated, and this requires our attention,” he said, according to the statement shared by Pakistan’s UN mission on X. “Israeli policies and illegal actions, unprecedented in scale and impact, are undermining the prospects for a viable Palestinian state,” he said. The ambassador said that Pakistan condemned Israel’s ongoing legislative and administrative measures aimed at entrenching its illegal occupation and transforming “de facto annexation into de jure control”. “Recent decisions granting expanded administrative authority over occupied territory, including land registration and confiscation mechanisms, constitute a grave violation of international law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention, as well as the comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict endorsed by the Security Council through Resolution 2803,” he highlighted, calling for the immediate reversal of such actions. Ambassador Ahmad noted that in nearly four years, Israel had approved 102 new settlements, nearly doubling the 127 settlements that previously existed, adding that these measures were deliberately designed to “permanently alter and establish facts on the ground”. He further highlighted that the illegal E-1 settlement project cut through the heart of the West Bank, while the tendering of over 3,400 housing units east of Jerusalem was aimed at rendering a “contiguous and viable Palestinian state geographically impossible”. “At the same time, settler violence is escalating at an unprecedented rate,” he said. Recalling UN data, the Pakistani envoy said that 2025 witnessed the highest number of settler-related attacks against Palestinians since systematic documentation began in 2006. “All settler violence and settlement activities must cease, in full compliance with international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 2334,” he stated. He also highlighted the deteriorating economic and humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, terming it “equally alarming”. “Israel’s continued withholding of Palestinian tax revenues has exacerbated the fiscal crisis and undermined the Palestinian Authority’s ability to provide essential public services,” Ambassador Ahmad stated. He said these measures were further weakening Palestinian institutions at a time when preserving the institutional and territorial integrity of the occupied Palestinian territory remained critical for the realisation of the two-state solution. The ambassador stressed that the international community, particularly those with “influence over Israel”, must ensure accountability, compliance with international obligations, and implementation of relevant UN resolutions. “As we have heard, annexation is on full throttle, and urgency for intervention is clear,” he said. Reiterating Pakistan’s longstanding position, Ambassador Ahmad said the only viable path to a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace in the Middle East lay in ending the illegal Israeli occupation of all Arab territories and realising the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination. He said this could only be achieved through the establishment of an independent, sovereign, viable, and contiguous State of Palestine based on the pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, in accordance with international legitimacy.
9 May 2026
Schools reach out to Canvas hackers as breach hits US classrooms: report
Some schools and universities whose students’ data was stolen by a cybercriminal hacking group as part of an April breach of the educational tool Canvas have reached out to the hackers to prevent their data from being released, a source familiar with the matter said on Friday. ShinyHunters, a hacking group with a string of data theft and extortion campaigns targeting major global companies, said in a May 3 post on its website that it had stolen roughly 6.65 terabytes of Canvas data related to nearly 9,000 schools worldwide that included student names, email addresses and private messages between students, teachers, and other staff. Student newspapers across the country reported this week that the hack was causing widespread disruption as students prepare for end-of-year tasks and assignments. The software is used by schools for class assignments and information sharing, as well as messages between students and school faculty. The FBI said on Friday it was aware of a breach disrupting the U.S. education system, without naming Canvas. On May 5, the group posted a message saying that Canvas’ parent company, Instructure, had “not even bothered speaking to us” to prevent a data leak, and that their demand “was not even as high as you might think it is”. The message included a list of roughly 1,400 individual schools and districts, and invited the schools to contact them to negotiate and prevent data from being posted. Instructure announced in a May 1 post on its support website that it was investigating a cybersecurity incident. A post the next day, signed by Chief Information Security Officer Steve Proud, said the “information involved” included Canvas user names, email addresses, student ID numbers and messages among users. In a May 6 update , the company said the situation was resolved and that Canvas was fully operational. On May 7, students at multiple schools reported attempting to log into Canvas and finding a note from ShinyHunters with a link to the list of affected schools. Instructure pulled Canvas, Canvas Beta and Canvas Test offline a short time later, but restored access to Canvas four hours later. An Instructure spokesperson said in an email Friday that the hackers “made changes to pages that appeared when some students and teachers were logged in”. The hackers exploited an issue related to the company’s Free-for-Teacher service, the spokesperson said, which allows non-Canvas users to try certain parts of the platform. The company has temporarily shut down the Free-for-Teacher service, which “gives us confidence to restore access to Canvas, which is now fully back online and available for use”, the spokesperson said. Canvas Beta and Canvas Test remain in “maintenance mode”, according to Instructure’s support site. ShinyHunters pulled both messages off its website as of May 7, replacing them with a message saying they were “not commenting and have no further comment to make regarding this global incident”. A group representative declined to answer questions from Reuters sent via online chat. Extortion and ransomware groups pull claims about victims off their websites for any number of reasons, including sometimes that a target has paid or is in negotiations. A note sent to parents from the South Orange-Maplewood School District on Friday said the security breach occurred on April 25 and that Instructure detected unauthorised activity on April 29. Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland told students, staff and families in an email on Friday that Canvas was returning to service, but that the district was continuing to restrict access out of an abundance of caution “until all services have been reviewed and confirmed safe for use”. Canvas has 30 million active users between kindergarten and college age, according to Instructure’s website.
9 May 2026
Traffic advisory issued ahead of Marka-i-Haq event in Islamabad
Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon said on Saturday that the capital’s traffic police had issued an advisory for May 10 (Sunday) for an event in connection with the anniversary of Marka-i-Haq . Sources told Dawn earlier that the top civilian and military leadership was expected to attend a ceremony to be held at the National Monument at Islamabad’s Zero Point to celebrate the Pakistani forces’ victory against India last year in May. “Temporary traffic diversions will remain in place from 6pm to 12am on various routes across the city,” Memon said in a post on the social media platform X. “Citizens are requested to plan their travel accordingly, use alternative routes, avoid unnecessary movement during peak hours, and cooperate with traffic officials to ensure smooth traffic flow and public convenience,” he said. According to the traffic police’s advisory, Srinagar Highway from Korianwala Chowk to Peshawar Mor would remain closed for traffic on both sides during the specified hours. It said the Islamabad Expressway from Faizabad to Khayaban Chowk would also remain closed for traffic heading towards Faisal Avenue. Citizens travelling from the Motorway or Islamabad Chowk towards Bhara Kahu and Murree were advised to use 9th Avenue and Colonel Sher Khan Road (IJP Road) via Murree Road. Commuters travelling from Murree or Bhara Kahu towards the Motorway were asked to use Murree Road, Faizabad, Colonel Sher Khan Road (IJP Road) and 9th Avenue. Motorists travelling from the Motorway towards Red Zone and adjoining sectors were advised to use Jinnah Avenue or Margalla Road via 9th Avenue from Peshawar Mor. The residents of Red Zone and nearby sectors heading towards Rawalpindi or the Motorway were advised to travel through Margalla Road or Jinnah Avenue to 9th Avenue. Traffic coming from the Expressway towards Islamabad would be diverted through Faizabad, Colonel Sher Khan Road (IJP Road) and 9th Avenue, it said. Commuters travelling from Rawalpindi to Islamabad were advised to use Colonel Sher Khan Road (IJP Road), Fakhar-i-Alam Road or 9th Avenue. Traffic from Rawalpindi Scheme-III and Ammar Chowk would be able to travel towards Red Zone, Bhara Kahu and Murree through Rawal Road, Chandni Chowk, Murree Road and Club Road. Travellers from Murree and Bhara Kahu heading towards Koral Chowk or Rawat T-Cross on GT Road were advised to use Korang Road, Bani Gala, Park Road and Lehtrar Road. Motorists travelling from Peshawar Mor towards Koral or Rawat T-Cross were advised to use 9th Avenue, Stadium Double Road and Rawal Road. The advisory also said that all light transport vehicles (LTV) would be diverted from Rawat T-Cross towards Rawalpindi from 5pm till midnight. Meanwhile, the entry of all kinds of heavy traffic vehicles (HTVs) into Islamabad would remain completely banned from 4am on May 10 to midnight. On Friday, the residents of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad witnessed a spectacular aerial display by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighter jets during a rehearsal for the official Marka-i-Haq ceremony. It is also worth mentioning that the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) has issued a notice to airmen that the flight operations at the Islamabad airport might be affected due to “operational reasons” from Friday to Sunday. Last year’s military conflict with India, starting from the April 22 Pahalgam attack to the end of Pakistan’s Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, with a ceasefire ending a military escalation between the two countries on May 10, has been called “ Marka-i-Haq ” (Battle of Truth) by the state.
9 May 2026
Moscow begins scaled-back Victory Day parade as 3-day Ukraine truce kicks in
Russia began its annual Victory Day parade on Red Square Saturday, with events set to be scaled back amid security fears and signs of fatigue over the more than four-year Ukraine war. Both Russia and Ukraine agreed to a three-day ceasefire for the occasion, following a last-minute appeal from United States President Donald Trump. Russian President Vladimir Putin has made the memory of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany a central narrative of his 25-year rule, staging massive annual parades in Moscow on May 9, in part to rally the Russian population behind the military offensive in Ukraine. However, a spate of Ukrainian long-range attacks on energy facilities in recent weeks prompted the Kremlin to ramp up security measures and downsize this year’s celebrations, with military hardware set to be absent from the parade for the first time in almost two decades. The parade kicked off shortly after 10am Moscow time (12pm PKT) with a formation of soldiers carrying the Russian flag into the square, state television showed. Russia’s Defence Minister Andrei Belousov could be seen congratulating soldiers, including some from the North Korean army. After two failed attempts at truces this week by both Russia and Ukraine, Trump announced on Friday that a three-day ceasefire between both sides would come into effect the following day. “Hopefully, it is the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly, and hard fought War,” Trump posted on his Truth Social network, adding the ceasefire would be accompanied by a prisoner exchange. Zelensky issued a decree on Friday ordering the Ukrainian military not to attack the parade and in a separate statement confirmed his government would adhere to the ceasefire to enable the swap of 1,000 detainees from each warring side. “Red Square is less important to us than the lives of Ukrainian prisoners who can be returned home,” Zelensky said, referring to the historic site in the Russian capital where the annual event is held. Smaller-scale celebration Moscow also confirmed it had accepted the truce, which Trump said he hoped could be extended. “It could be. I’d like to see it stopped,” the US president told reporters. Now in its fifth year , the war has killed hundreds of thousands of people and US-mediated talks on ending Europe’s largest conflict since World War II have shown little progress since February, when Washington shifted focus to its war against Iran. Before Trump’s announcement, Ukraine had dismissed a temporary truce by Russia and hours before Moscow’s ceasefire began, Zelensky warned Moscow’s allies against attending the parade. View this post on Instagram Russia had threatened a massive strike on the heart of Kyiv if Ukraine disrupted the victory commemoration and urged foreign diplomats to leave the Ukrainian capital ahead of the event. For the first time in nearly 20 years, Moscow would reduce the scale of the parade with no military equipment on display in the Red Square and the number of foreign dignitaries in attendance decreased. Only the leaders of Belarus, Malaysia and Laos, as well as Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, have travelled to Moscow, according to the Kremlin, in contrast to high-profile visitors including China’s Xi Jinping during last year’s event . Authorities had also been intermittently switching off mobile internet in the Russian capital in recent days as a security measure. Ongoing strikes The Ukrainian military, which has bolstered its drone capabilities, has intensified its strikes in recent weeks, hitting targets hundreds of kilometres from Ukraine. Both sides continued to trade attacks on Friday, before Trump’s announcement. Ukraine’s air force said Russia fired 67 drones overnight — the lowest number in almost a month. “Despite the declared ceasefire, the enemy has not reduced the intensity of assault operations,” Zelensky had said, adding that Ukraine was reacting in kind. Russia said it had downed more than 400 Ukrainian drones — 100 of them targeting Moscow — since midnight, and that its troops were “responding symmetrically”. Kyiv said it had hit two refineries in Russia’s Yaroslavl and Perm regions. Some 13 airports in southern Russia were closed on Friday after a Ukrainian drone hit an air navigation centre in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don, Moscow’s transport ministry said. It later said that flights had been partially restored. Despite the fighting, Zelensky expressed hope on Friday that US envoys would visit Ukraine in the coming weeks to reboot talks on ending the war after Ukraine’s lead negotiator met with US representatives in Florida this week. President Zardari felicitates Russian leadership Separately, President Asif Ali Zardari extended felicitations to Putin and the Russian people on Victory Day. In a message, conveyed on behalf of the government and the people of Pakistan, President Zardari noted that victory in the “Great Patriotic War remains a solemn and enduring reminder of the immense sacrifices made by the Russian people in the defence of their homeland and in the global struggle against fascism”. “He remarked that this historic triumph stands as a symbol of the resilience, courage and determination of the Russian nation as well as its enduring contribution to international peace, security and stability,” read a statement by the Presidency. President Zardari stated Pakistan greatly valued its relations with Russia and “attaches importance to a shared commitment to a just, peaceful and rules-based international order”. He also paid tribute to the memory of all those who laid down their lives in the “fight against Nazism, including the soldiers from the region of the Indus Valley who served as part of the Allied forces”. “The president expressed hope that the spirit of that historic victory would continue to inspire greater cooperation, mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries,” the statement added.
9 May 2026
Sindh govt issues Aurat March NOC with conditions for participants' clothing, slogans
KARACHI: The Sindh government has issued a no-objection certificate (NOC) to Aurat March Karachi for their planned gathering on Sunday at Sea View, but with 28 conditions, including restrictions on the content of slogans raised, it emerged on Saturday. The march is planned to be held at Sea View on Mother’s Day (May 10, 2026), which is observed on the second Sunday of every May. Last Sunday, Aurat March organisers in Karachi said they had sent a letter to First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, whose party governs the province, after there had been “no response” to their request to the relevant offices for an NOC. A press conference Aurat March had planned on Wednesday was also hindered by the detentions of multiple organisers. Subsequently, South Deputy Commissioner (DC) Javed Nabi Khoso granted an NOC, dated May 8, to Aurat March Karachi to organise “Aurat March in commemoration of Mother’s Day” on Sunday from 3:30pm to 7:30pm. The NOC cited a letter of no objection written by the South senior superintendent of police (SSP) to DC Khoso on May 4, the day after Aurat March shared their letter to Aseefa. It listed a total of 28 conditions and restrictions that the organisers and participants were to abide by. According to the NOC, Aurat March organisers are “bound to comply with all laws in force” and shall be responsible for the “internal cordon security of the participants”. It further stated that “all participants/organisers shall ensure peaceful conduct” during the march. The NOC prohibited “anti-state slogans, banners, speeches or activities”, as well as “anti-religion slogans, placards or objectionable remarks”. It also ordered that “no hateful, provocative, unethical or anti-social content shall be displayed on charts, banners or flexes”. “Participation, support or representation by any banned outfit /proscribed organisation such as BYC (Baloch Yakjehti Committee), JQSM (Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz) shall strictly not be allowed,” the NOC read. The district administration also ordered participants not to “wear objectionable clothing” or carry out “promotion for the LGBTQ” community, which includes transgender persons. “No sectarian/objectionable activity/speech shall be allowed which causes or creates hatred amongst the various groups or may provoke or injure feelings of the people,” the NOC stated. The district administration barred speakers at Aurat March from delivering any speech “against the ‘ideology of Pakistan’ or policies of the state”. It further prohibited speakers from speaking against the armed forces or spreading “hatred among communities [and] extremism”. Aurat March organisers were further told to ensure compliance with law and order standard operating procedures (SOP) and to cooperate with law enforcement agencies and district administration throughout the event. “No obstruction and disturbance shall be caused to the general public and traffic, especially thoroughfares/main arteries shall be cleared from any hindrance,” the NOC’s 12th condition read. The NOC mandated Aurat March to strictly follow the Loudspeakers Ordinance and confine entry/exit points to one location. It further told the organisers to have volunteers conduct physical searches of the participants and ensure they pass through walkthrough gates, alongside using metal and explosive detectors. “Bomb Disposal Squad shall carry out technical sweeping of the premises and hand over the venue to the organiser, who will depute volunteers covering the backside of the stage entry/exit location and parking lots,” it said. “Parking lots shall be established at least 200 yards away from the main venue and volunteers shall be deployed for smooth parking,” the NOC read, adding that vehicles entering the parking lots shall be scanned/searched thoroughly. As per the NOC, Aurat March Karachi was “solely responsible in case of any mishap viz law and order situation, dispute of route/venue or any kind of security”, adding that it was to “face the legal consequences at own risk and cost”. The NOC directed the organisers to “abide by the orders of the police officers concerned”. It further told the Aurat March organisers to follow instructions from law enforcement agencies and the district administration “in letter [and] in spirit, who may change the route or venue, if required or may ask to wind up the programme before time”. The organisers, the NOC said, were bound to brief the SSHP and station house officer (SHO) concerned about the “complete nature of the event, regarding security and also share the list of volunteers”. “No aerial firing and drug/alcohol is allowed during said event,” the NOC stated, warning that the permission could be cancelled “without assigning any reason”.
9 May 2026
Pakistan, Bangladesh sign agreement to combat drug trafficking
Pakistan and Bangladesh have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen bilateral cooperation against drug trafficking and narcotics abuse, the Ministry of Interior said on Saturday. The development came during Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s visit to Dhaka, where he met his Bangladeshi counterpart Salahuddin Ahmed, according to the ministry. According to the ministry, the two sides signed a “historic agreement”. It said that Naqvi and Ahmed signed the MoU on behalf of their respective governments. Under the MoU, both countries will fully cooperate with each other to prevent the illegal transportation and smuggling of narcotics, while joint efforts will be made to “curb the growing trend of drug abuse and eliminate its negative impacts”, the ministry said. It was also agreed that a joint strategy will be formulated to dismantle the illegal sale and supply network of narcotics. The relevant agencies of both countries will exchange timely intelligence and information regarding drug traffickers and trafficking networks, the interior ministry said. “Training of personnel, use of modern technology, and best practices for narcotics prevention will be shared between the two sides,” it added. According to the ministry, Naqvi also offered full cooperation to his Bangladeshi counterpart regarding the Safe City project. “We will support the government of Bangladesh in the project in every possible way,” the ministry quoted him as saying. According to the ministry, both sides also agreed on enhancing cooperation between the two countries in the areas of bilateral ties, internal security, and the training of civil armed forces. Discussions were also held on increasing cooperation to combat terrorism and prevent human trafficking. The interior ministers also exchanged views on joint measures for counter-terrorism. Naqvi and Ahmed held detailed discussions on “enhancing mutual cooperation in the areas of cybercrimes, organised crime, and financial fraud”, the ministry said, adding they also discussed cooperation in training programmes for officers at police academies. It said that Naqvi invited his Bangladeshi counterpart to visit Pakistan, while the latter thanked him for offering cooperation on the Safe City project.
9 May 2026
Trump's feuds, tensions with allies likely to outlast Iran war
With his decision to pull some US troops from Germany , his threats to draw down forces elsewhere in Europe and his downplaying of recent attacks on an important Gulf partner, President Donald Trump’s latest moves foreshadow what could be the war’s enduring legacy: the fraying of ties with key allies. Even as the US and Iran inch toward a potential off-ramp, Trump’s words and deeds have revived fears among Washington’s long-standing friends — from Europe to the Middle East to the Indo-Pacific — that the US might be unreliable in a future crisis. In response, some traditional US partners are starting to hedge their bets in ways that may bring long-lasting changes in relations with Washington, while adversaries such as China and Russia are looking to exploit strategic openings. It is not yet clear whether Trump’s war with Iran will mark a permanent turning point in US relations with the world. But most analysts believe his erratic conduct since returning to office, essentially upending the rules-based global order, will further erode US alliances, especially with Nato continuing to feel his ire for largely resisting his wartime demands. “Trump’s recklessness with respect to Iran is resulting in some dramatic shifts,” said Brett Bruen, a former adviser in the Obama administration who now heads the Situation Room strategic consultancy. “US credibility is at stake.” Tensions are especially high between Trump and the Europeans since he joined Israel in striking Iran on February 28 , claiming without evidence that Tehran was close to developing a nuclear weapon. Iran’s retaliatory closure of the Strait of Hormuz unleashed an unprecedented global energy shock that has made European countries some of the biggest economic losers from a war they never asked for. Even before that, Trump had rattled allies by imposing sweeping tariffs , pushing to take over Greenland from Denmark and cutting military aid to Ukraine. The rift widened when Trump announced this week he was withdrawing 5,000 of the 36,400 troops the US has stationed in Germany after Chancellor Friedrich Merz angered him by saying publicly that the Iranians were humiliating the US. The Pentagon then scrapped a planned deployment of Tomahawk cruise missiles to Germany. Trump — who has long questioned whether the US should remain in the Nato alliance it helped create after World War Two — said he was also considering reducing US forces in Italy and Spain, whose leaders have been at odds with him over the war. Feuding with allies The move followed Trump’s accusations that allies have not been doing enough to back the US in the war and his suggestions that this meant Washington might no longer need to honor the alliances’ Article 5 mutual defense clause. “President Trump has made his disappointment with Nato and other allies clear,” White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said, noting that some requests to use military bases in Europe for the Iran war had been denied by host governments. While insisting that Trump had “restored America’s standing on the world stage and strengthened relationships abroad,” she said he “will never allow the United States to be treated unfairly and taken advantage of by so-called ‘allies’“. Trump had earlier taken aim at British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, deriding him in March as “not Winston Churchill” and threatening to impose a “big tariff” on imports from the UK. And Trump’s Pentagon has floated the prospect of punishing Nato allies it believes have failed to support US operations against Iran, including suspending Spain as a member and reviewing US recognition of Britain’s claim to the Falkland Islands. European governments have responded by stepping up efforts to increase cooperation among themselves, shoulder more of their own defense burden and jointly develop weapons systems to reduce reliance on the US, while trying to convince Trump of the value of maintaining transatlantic allies. One European diplomat called Trump’s threats a clear signal for Europe to invest more in its own security but said leaders were resigned to having to roll with the punches for now. As “middle powers,” the Europeans have limited options, especially given their dependence on their superpower ally for strategic deterrence against any possible attack from Russia, and analysts say the transition to greater self-reliance will take years. In their efforts to mollify Trump, meanwhile, European officials have quietly stressed that many of their countries are allowing US forces to use bases on their soil and their airspace during the Iran campaign. But European leaders, some of whom had used flattery with Trump to defuse earlier crises, are also becoming wise to his negotiating tactics and more emboldened in standing up to him, analysts say. Jeff Rathke, president of the American-German Institute at Johns Hopkins University, said that while Merz had seemed to charm Trump during earlier meetings, now “he is not trying to hide the critical assessment of what the United States has gotten itself into”. But the Europeans are also mindful that Trump, barred by law from running again, could feel unrestrained “to do whatever he thinks” on the world stage before he leaves office in January 2029, the European diplomat said. As some European leaders sound the alarm about Nato’s future, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski told a conference in Warsaw there is no need to panic so long as Europe delivers on promised higher military spending, which Trump has long demanded. Even so, the strains on US alliances extend well beyond Europe. When Iran this week launched missile and drone attacks against the United Arab Emirates, a close US ally, Trump and his aides seemed to turn a blind eye, causing further unease among Gulf Arab states already hard hit by the war. Trump was quick to dismiss a strike on Monday as minor, though it set fire to the important Fujairah oil port and prompted the government to close schools, and even after further attacks later in the week, he insisted that a month-old ceasefire was still holding. Trump went to war against the advice of some Gulf partners, and though they soon lined up in solidarity, some now worry he could strike a deal that leaves them facing a still-dangerous neighbor. The war has also stirred anxiety among Asian partners, many heavily dependent on oil that flowed freely through the strait before the conflict. Countries like Japan and South Korea have already been unsettled by Trump’s high tariffs and disparagement of traditional alliances. Some may now wonder whether the vulnerability he has shown to economic pressure at home, including high gasoline prices, could mean Trump might hesitate when asked to help in a conflict with China, such as an invasion of Taiwan. “What worries us most is that trust in, respect for, and expectations toward the US — the core partner in the alliance Japan values most — have been shrinking, Takeshi Iwaya, who served as Japan’s foreign minister at the start of Trump’s second term, told Reuters . “It could cast a long shadow over the entire region.” Yasutoshi Nishimura, a former Japanese trade minister, said it has become increasingly important for Tokyo to respond to the shifting global power dynamic by forging closer ties with “like-minded middle powers” such as Britain, Canada, Australia and European nations. Since the start of the war, Russia and China, long-time allies of Iran, have mostly steered clear, but analysts say they are watching closely. Experts warn that Trump’s use of raw power in a war of choice against Iran, coming just weeks after a US raid in Caracas that captured Venezuela’s president , could embolden China and Russia to intensify coercive moves against their neighbors. Russia, a leading energy producer, has benefited from higher oil and natural gas prices driven up by the Iran war as well as the US and Europe being distracted from the war in Ukraine. Though the Iran crisis has crimped China’s energy supplies, Beijing may have learned lessons seeing the US having to shift military assets from the Indo-Pacific to the Middle East and how the world’s most powerful armed forces have at times been outmaneuvered by asymmetric tactics such as cheap drones, analysts say. China has also seized the opportunity to try to promote itself as a more reliable global partner than the unpredictable Trump, who is due to visit Beijing next week. But Victoria Coates, Trump’s deputy national security adviser in his first term, said Beijing would have a difficult time using the war on Iran as “carte blanche to run around the world saying that we’re a destabilising force”. “They haven’t exactly been a strong partner to their ally Iran throughout all this,” said Coates, now a vice president at the conservative Heritage Foundation think tank in Washington.
9 May 2026
Region could witness new political alignment after US-Iran war: Moghadam
ISLAMABAD: Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Reza Amiri Moghadam believes the region could witness new political alignments once the ongoing war involving the United States and Israel comes to an end. He was speaking at a roundtable hosted by the Centre for International Strategic Studies (CISS), Islamabad, where diplomats, academics and policy practitioners discussed the future course of Pakistan-Iran ties and the evolving regional situation as the conflict continues under what participants described as a delicate ceasefire. The Iranian envoy, reflecting the thinking in Tehran, said Iran considers its relationship with Pakistan a priority in the neighbourhood. While noting that Iran maintains relations with other states, including India, he said Pakistan remained a key partner and the relationship was steadily growing stronger. The envoy said Iran had consistently pursued friendly relations with neighbouring countries, but predicted that the recent war could significantly reshape regional order. He suggested the conflict could lead to a decline in US influence and further isolation of Israel. Dr Moghadam said Pakistan-Iran ties had strengthened considerably and raised prospects for a broader regional alliance comprising Iran, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Pakistan after the war ends. Dr Moghadam thanked Pakistan for what he called steadfast support during difficult times and for facilitating contacts between Washington and Tehran. He said the two countries shared strong brotherly relations and reaffirmed that Iran would never allow its territory to be used against Pakistan. Former ambassador Asif Durrani said the Chabahar and Gwadar ports should be viewed as complementary rather than competing projects. He said Gwadar could potentially serve as a mother port to support wider regional connectivity and trade integration. Ambassador Durrani said Pakistan’s diplomatic approach reflected engagement with the United States while preserving brotherly ties with Iran. He stressed that it was a carefully calibrated policy aimed at de-escalation, extending the ceasefire and working towards a durable settlement, while ensuring regional stability and economic security. Prof Dr Nazir Hussain, former dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at Quaid-i-Azam University, said Pakistan and Iran shared deep historical and cultural linkages and had made efforts in recent years to improve coordination, expand border trade and strengthen institutional engagement. He said there remained significant untapped potential for economic cooperation, particularly in energy, trade and connectivity, with both sides increasingly viewing each other as important partners for regional stability and development. Earlier, in his welcome remarks, Executive Director of CISS Ambassador Ali Sarwar Naqvi said Pakistan played a constructive role in facilitating a ceasefire between the United States and Iran on April 7, followed by direct bilateral talks on April 11 and 12 after decades of estrangement. He said Pakistan’s mediation efforts were continuing after the extension of the ceasefire and Islamabad remained committed to supporting initiatives that promote peace and stability in the region. Published in Dawn, May 9th, 2026
9 May 2026
Capital Development Authority launches inquiry into ‘illegal sale’ of amenity spaces in Al-Mustafa Tower
ISLAMABAD: Capital Development Authority (CDA) has initiated action against Al-Mustafa Tower, located in Sector F-10, and an inquiry has been launched in this regard. Sources in the CDA said the inquiry would determine the role of CDA officials and fix responsibility, if any. They said the civic agency recently received information that amenity spaces in the tower, such as the gym and open areas, had allegedly been sold out. CDA officials said that in 2019, on the directions of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), the CDA took over the project and started managing its affairs through a management committee. “On the directions of the Islamabad High Court, CDA constituted a committee to manage the affairs of Al-Mustafa Tower. However, the committee became dysfunctional without any order from the competent authority, due to which the affairs of the building could not be managed properly. In the meantime, CDA received information that public amenity spaces had been illegally sold by the ex-allottee/builder and more than 320 families had been deprived of recreational facilities,” a CDA official said. Civic agency to determine role of officials after reports that recreational and public spaces in F-10 tower were sold illegally The official further said that taking notice of the issue, CDA Member Estate on Thursday directed the authority to take over the project once again in compliance with the IHC orders. He said an inquiry committee had also been formed and, after approval from the competent authority, it was likely to begin its probe from Monday to determine negligence or alleged connivance of CDA officials, as amenity spaces in the tower had allegedly been sold after 2018. “After the issue of One Constitution Avenue , the CDA management, backed by the Interior Minister, has decided to take action against all bigwigs. Soon, CDA will also form a committee to determine the role of its officials in the One Constitution Avenue project as well,” said another CDA official. An official of the CDA’s Estate Wing told Dawn that while hearing the case regarding cancellation of the lease of the Al-Mustafa Tower plot over non-payment of premium, the IHC observed in its order dated Nov 8, 2019, passed in Writ Petition No. 4759/2018, that since the allotment of the plot stood cancelled, the property vested in the CDA and any sale, transfer or disposal of units in the building was to be regulated by the authority. The official said the IHC had also directed the CDA to appoint an officer or committee to manage the building’s affairs. In the matter, the civil court later directed that third-party rights should not be created. “In compliance with the directions of the IHC, CDA had constituted a committee to manage the affairs of Al-Mustafa Tower; however, the committee became dysfunctional without any order of the competent authority, due to which the affairs of the building could not be managed properly. In the meantime, allegedly, public amenity spaces had been illegally sold by the ex-allottee/builder, thus depriving 320 families of recreational facilities,” the official said. He said the CDA management had decided to reactivate the committee to restart functioning in light of the IHC order, and it would manage the day-to-day affairs of Al-Mustafa Tower. However, it would not create third-party rights, as ordered by the Civil Court, Islamabad. It was also decided that the Security Directorate would depute adequate security personnel to assist the committee/team during the operation. Official sources said the CDA’s Law Wing had also been directed to diligently pursue the case in the civil court, informing it that the IHC had already ruled that the plot stood cancelled and the property vested in the CDA, and that any sale, transfer or disposal of units in the building was to be regulated by the authority. Published in Dawn, May 9th, 2026
9 May 2026
PAF jets light up skies in twin cities ahead of Marka-i-Haq anniversary
ISLAMABAD: Residents of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Friday witnessed a spectacular aerial display by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighter jets during a rehearsal for an official ceremony to be held on Sunday (tomorrow) to commemorate the first anniversary of Marka-i-Haq. Sources told Dawn that the top civilian and military leadership was expected to attend the ceremony to be held at the National Monument at Islamabad’s Zero Point to celebrate the Pakistani forces’ last year victory against India. As part of the rehearsal, the venue of the event also remained illuminated with laser lights for a brief time. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) notified in a notice to airmen (Notam) that the flight operations at the Islamabad airport might be affected due to “operational reasons” from Friday to Sunday. The Notam said flight arrivals and departures could be delayed because of “operational” reasons between 8pm and 9:15pm on Saturday and Sunday. It further stated that flights arriving at the Islamabad airport had been asked to “bring sufficient holding fuel to cater to the delay”. The PAA had issued a similar Notam for the airport in the federal capital in March as well. It said flight operations at Islamabad airport would be suspended for two hours on March 17 due to “operational reasons”. Published in Dawn, May 9th, 2026
9 May 2026
Farewell to Dubai
THE strain had been there for a while when reports emerged that Pakistanis were being rounded up in the UAE and deported. The details, though, have not been verified and, yesterday, Pakistan’s interior ministry strongly denied accusations of “country- or sect-specific” expulsions of Pakistanis from the UAE or anywhere for that matter. It posted on X that it was aware of the “speculative reporting in sections of media especially social media about targeted deportations of Pakistani nationals from brotherly Islamic country of UAE”. Earlier, the Foreign Office spokesperson, too, when asked about the “unusually high number” of emergency exit documents issued by the Pakistani mission in the UAE, had stated these were on account of “administrative actions, including immigration status violation and other legal infractions”. On his part, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, too, expressed solidarity with the UAE by condemning the missile and drone attack , purportedly carried out by Iran, on its soil. While it is difficult to verify the reports of deportations of Pakistanis, it was evident that relations between the two nations were on edge, especially when, in early April, the UAE asked Pakistan to immediately repay a $3.5 billion debt. Pakistan said it would repay the debt in its entirety and did so before the end of the month , something that would not have been possible without the assistance of Saudi Arabia . Discussions on the matter have revolved around the probability of the UAE’s annoyance at Pakistan’s close alignment with the Saudis and Islamabad’s role as mediator in the conflict between the US and Iran. ‘Dubai chalo’ may have become a dated slogan. Alignments are changing in the Middle East, especially as high tensions between the US-Israel alliance and Iran show no signs of abating. The UAE, along with some other Arab-speaking nations, had signed the Abraham Accords with Israel, which basically normalised diplomatic relations with Tel Aviv. There have even been a few media reports of Israel deploying its defence system to protect the UAE airspace against Iranian attacks. This situation may come under the geopolitical domain, but for ordinary Pakistani expatriates, it translates into dismal predicaments. According to a New Lines Magazine investigation, many people were picked up arbitrarily and taken to detention centres, unable to even contact friends and families. While one does not know how many are facing deportation or the level of its linkage with the war in the region, if this is the beginning of a geopolitical shift, it is possible that Pakistani workers may not be as welcome as they once were. If so, this would mark a transformational shift in the labour economics of South Asia and Pakistan. The familiar ‘ Dubai chalo ’ slogan was born of a Punjabi film released in the 1970s. Several generations of Pakistanis have since gone and settled in the UAE. According to estimates, there are 1.9 million Pakistanis there. Cumulatively, they send back millions of dollars in remittances that make up a large percentage of Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves. It is true that Pakistanis have played a big role in making Dubai the glittering metropolis it has become. As Dubai’s light fades for many South Asians, owing in no small part to the emirate’s ability to attract high-end Westerners, there may not be a need for the Pakistani labourer or even the tech worker. This is likely to impact many lives dependent on the Dubai line. Pakistani elites are also going to be affected. If annoyed authorities in Dubai take a tough stance towards Pakistanis, residency permits and no-questions-asked bank accounts may not be as easily accessed. Rich begums addicted to shopping trips to Dubai will have to find new destinations to spend their often questionably acquired cash. The prospect of shopping in Riyadh and Jeddah is just not the same as hobnobbing with Westerners in Dubai. It is always the poorest and the most hardworking that bear the brunt of geopolitics and changing dynamics between countries — the labour class constitutes some of the least powerful actors in global reorganisation. In this tricky moment, it is essential that Pakistan makes every effort possible to ensure that ordinary expatriate workers are not targeted by host countries or affected by global events beyond their control. Many have spoken out about how careful they have been not to violate restrictions imposed by the authorities. Even if ‘ Dubai chalo ’ has become dated because of this war, perhaps it can at least be ‘ Dubai mein raho ’ (stay in Dubai) for those who have made it their home. The writer is an attorney teaching constitutional law and political philosophy. rafia.zakaria@gmail.com Published in Dawn, May 9th, 2026
9 May 2026
Taxation with equity
THE exodus of a large number of multinational companies (MNCs) over the past two years should have raised red flags among policymakers and the IMF. Instead, it has been met with a business-as-usual approach. Despite the glib explanation of how ‘global capital allocation decisions’ were the main factor behind the high-profile exits, three associated facts point clearly to deeper issues closer to home. The first is the sheer number of companies choosing to exit, in conjunction with the wide range of sectors the MNCs were involved in, ranging from telecoms to mobility to oil and gas, among others. The second fact is that many of the MNCs exiting the country had been operating profitably for decades. They had weathered many crises in Pakistan, including conflicts and disturbed internal security conditions for prolonged periods. Clearly, an inflection point of sorts was reached over the past four years compelling them to pull the plug. Finally, while attention has focused on MNC exits, domestic businesses face the same difficult operating environment and their closures are getting less visibility. Pakistan is experiencing a silent economic scarring or ‘hysteresis’ under IMF programme design and government apathy. Most commentary on the business environment mentions policy inconsistency as the main culprit behind this state of affairs. While this is largely true, in at least one critical area, however, the unfortunate fact is that all governments past and present have been consistent — in continuing with bad tax policy, poor tax administration and weak enforcement. Predatory taxation of the formal sector is a fundamental factor in rising informality. Formal businesses face real and significant costs navigating a complex tax regime, with multiple tax and reporting jurisdictions, a heavy-touch regulatory regime, and high cost of compliance and weak enforcement across sectors. In addition, the failure to expand the tax base has meant an increasing reliance on making formal businesses withholding agents. Unable to force unregistered suppliers to register, the additional cost is absorbed by formal businesses. In the case of the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, for example, the additional cost borne by the formal, registered companies on this account alone is 6.5 per cent. This is not an insignificant compression of margins in an overall high-cost environment. The taxation regime is a potent shaper of the incentives framework for firms operating in a country. It influences firm-level decisions on whether to operate in a jurisdiction, which sector(s) of the economy to invest in, to operate as a large, visible consolidated player with economies of scale or to operate ‘under the radar’ of authorities as a fragmented and undocumented business. This applies not just to tax policy but equally importantly to its uneven implementation across sectors and income groups. This situation, reinforced by IMF programme design, has created a negative feedback loop where a narrow tax base is shrinking ever more with potential adverse revenue consequences in the longer term. The nexus between a failed tax system and rising informality has been a subject I have highlighted for several years, with this point also being made recently by Nadeem ul Haque and Shahid Kardar in this newspaper. What can policymakers do to improve the operating environment for formal businesses without compromising tax collection? There are some specific low-hanging fruits that should be considered in the upcoming budget. The two main objectives should be to improve the business and investment environment for the remaining multinationals as well as for large, documented, formal local firms whose growth potential is being severely restricted by the country’s over-burdening tax regime. The government can introduce doable improvements in tax policy, and enforcement by FBR, which have the potential to generate hundreds of billions in additional tax revenue. The first measure is improved enforcement, especially in illicit trade-prone sectors with major tax revenue potential. The Pakistan Business Council estimates the value of annual illicit trade in the country at a staggering $68bn, which directly undercuts government revenue as well as survival of compliant formal firms. To compensate for the tax revenue loss from a flourishing illicit trade, FBR resorts to overtaxing tax-compliant firms. This pattern is repeated across industries, be it tea, tyres, footwear, cigarettes, fast-moving consumer goods, beverages etc. The scale of the potential tax revenue gain through improved enforcement is illustrated by the tobacco industry. With over 40 cigarette manufacturers operating in the country, only two (the multinational firms) are fully tax- and public health regulations-compliant. Reliance on frequent and ad hoc changes to the excise taxation regime, coupled with weak tax enforcement, have shrunk the sales of legitimate cigarettes. With the major share of cigarettes industry volume in the country now captured by the illicit sector, the annual revenue loss to the government is projected at a staggering Rs300bn, or nearly 0.3pc of GDP. The other ‘low-hanging fruit’ relates to simplifying parts of the complex sales tax regime. While overhauling the entire sales tax system will take time, an immediate remedy for some sectors is to rectify recent anomalies. One of these pertains to the Third Schedule of the Sales Tax Act. While some products have been included, others have been left out, particularly items in the FMCG sector that are a significant part of everyday grocery. A complete move to the Third Schedule, while expanding its ambit, will make the tax collection process simpler and easier for FBR without loss of revenue. This move will also lead to enhanced tax transparency and reduced tax leakage and evasion. Since the Third Schedule requires printing of the retail price on the pack, the tax base becomes ‘visible’ and harder to manipulate through supply-chain discounts, transfer pricing, or undervaluation. This should reduce the risk of tax evasion by suppliers in the supply chain. Tax revenue loss to the government is unlikely since the manufacturer will deposit the full amount of sales tax at the time of supply of goods. However, for the documented and tax-compliant companies involved, this move will offer significant relief. These are a sampling of the measures that can level the playing field for formal firms while potentially leading to significant tax revenue gains for the government. The writer has been a member of several past economic advisory councils under different prime ministers. Published in Dawn, May 9th, 2026
9 May 2026
Removing subsidies
THE government’s commitment to the IMF to scrap untargeted residential electricity subsidies from next year and replace them with a targeted support mechanism through the Benazir Income Support Programme is politically fraught but economically difficult to avoid any longer. It is also important to end untargeted subsidies because high tariffs have created powerful incentives for consumers to indulge in ‘legal power theft’ by manipulating the system. Households that can afford to do so instal multiple electricity meters, splitting their consumption across connections to remain below the subsidised 200-unit threshold. What was originally designed as relief for lower-middle-income families has evolved into a pricing distortion that rewards gaming the system. The agreement with the Fund to shift subsidies towards income-based targeting through the National Socio-Economic Registry is therefore not merely an externally imposed condition. It also underscores a hard fiscal reality: the government no longer has the budgetary space to continue carrying hundreds of billions of rupees in untargeted subsidies while the power sector itself remains trapped in circular debt, inefficiencies, theft and under-recovery. The present system also imposes hidden costs on the wider economy. Cross-subsidies designed to keep residential tariffs low for below 200-unit usage have pushed up electricity prices for industry, undermining competitiveness, exports and job creation. Targeted subsidies will indeed reduce misuse of public resources and direct them towards those who actually need help. However, the transition will come with painful consequences that policymakers cannot ignore. Between those who truly qualify for BISP support and the affluent who can absorb higher tariffs is a vast lower-middle-income population living precariously from pay cheque to pay cheque. Many of these households do not meet the defined poverty criteria but are struggling with stagnant incomes, inflation and rising utility costs. For them, the removal of subsidised electricity will mean further erosion of disposable income. A large number of families may be forced to respond by cutting electricity usage and other essential expenditure, thus facing additional pressure to simply keep a few lights and fans running during the hot summer. In that sense, the reform risks deepening the hardship of the economically vulnerable but officially ‘non-poor’ classes. Consumers are likely to question the fairness of the state’s priorities. The government will struggle to build public legitimacy after ending subsidies for struggling households while continuing various forms of heavily subsidised or free electricity enjoyed by influential segments of the state and public sector elite, including privileged power sector employees. Whether fully justified or not, the perception that ordinary citizens are being asked to bear austerity while entrenched privileges remain protected feeds public anger and weakens trust in reform. This is why the political difficulty of the decision should not be underestimated. Published in Dawn, May 9th, 2026
9 May 2026
A year ago today: Risk of ‘unpredictable escalation’ looms over Subcontinent
The week of May 6 - May 10 marks the first anniversary of the five-day military conflict between Pakistan and India. The conflict was sparked by the April 22 Pahalgam attack on tourists in India-occupied Kashmir, which New Delhi, without evidence, linked to Pakistan. In a dangerous escalation, New Delhi launched deadly air strikes in Punjab and Azad Kashmir on May 7. Pakistan retaliated by downing five Indian planes in air-to-air combat, later raising the tally to seven . Following tit-for-tat strikes on each other’s airbases, and the launch of Pakistan Army’s Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, both sides agreed to a ceasefire on May 10 after American intervention. The Pakistan Army named the period of conflict from April 22-May 10 “Marka-i-Haq”. Throughout the week, Dawn will be sharing daily headlines from the brief conflict when tensions between both countries reached a boiling point. Here’s a look at Dawn’s front page published on May 10, 2025.
9 May 2026