Basant to be celebrated only in Lahore; no plans for festival in rest of Punjab: home department, Dawn - Home

Basant to be celebrated only in Lahore; no plans for festival in rest of Punjab: home department

LAHORE: In a major policy shift, the Punjab government on Wednesday announced that it has no plans to celebrate the Basant festival across the province and that it will instead be celebrated only in Lahore. Basant is returning to Lahore after 18 years, following the passage of the Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Bill, 2025 by the provincial assembly on December 24. So far, only … Continue reading Basant to be celebrated only in Lahore; no plans for festival in rest of Punjab: home department

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Dawn - Home, PTCL completes acquisition of 100pc issued share capital of Telenor Pakistan and Orion Towers

PTCL completes acquisition of 100pc issued share capital of Telenor Pakistan and Orion Towers

Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) on Wednesday completed the acquisition of 100 percent of the issued share capital of Telenor Pakistan and Orion Towers, said a press release. The Pakistan Tele­communication Authority (PTA) approved the merger of Telenor Pak­i­stan with PTCL earlier in December. The regulator, however, imposed strict conditions to prevent abuse of market power and to bind the new entity to invest in … Continue reading PTCL completes acquisition of 100pc issued share capital of Telenor Pakistan and Orion Towers

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Dawn - Home, Pakistan to enter 2026 as fifth-most populous country

Pakistan to enter 2026 as fifth-most populous country

ISLAMABAD: The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) says that as Pakistan enters 2026 as the world’s fifth most populous country, with a population exceeding 225 million, high population growth and fertility rates, persistent gender inequality, and rising climate vulnerability, the urgency of addressing population dynamics has intensified. These realities underscore the need to view population not as a burden but as a strategic driver of … Continue reading Pakistan to enter 2026 as fifth-most populous country

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China fires missiles on second day of military drills around Taiwan, Dawn - Home

China fires missiles on second day of military drills around Taiwan

China launched missiles and deployed dozens of fighter aircraft and navy vessels around Taiwan on Tuesday for a second day of live-fire drills aimed at simulating a blockade of the self-ruled island’s key ports and assaults on maritime targets. Taipei, which slammed the two-day war games as “highly provocative and reckless”, claimed the manoeuvre failed to impose a blockade on the island. China claims Taiwan … Continue reading China fires missiles on second day of military drills around Taiwan

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Dawn - Home, Establishing crypto beyond the hype

Establishing crypto beyond the hype

As dollar shortages in the open market persist, users seek dollars digitally, while the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) continues to deliberate on drafting detailed regulations. Inevitably, people are not waiting for regulations; they are already moving towards crypto rails facilitated by illegal operators entering the market. There is, however, one group that awaits regulation: those wishing to operate legally. And this wait is … Continue reading Establishing crypto beyond the hype

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Dawn - Home, Iran, Netanyahu meets Trump in Florida for talks on Gaza

Netanyahu meets Trump in Florida for talks on Gaza, Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived at US President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence on Monday to hold crucial talks on Gaza and Iran. The US president will push the Israeli leader to move to the next stage of his fragile Gaza truce plan. Netanyahu is also expected to try to shift some focus onto Iran, amid reports he will call for more US strikes on … Continue reading Netanyahu meets Trump in Florida for talks on Gaza, Iran

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Bangladesh’s Gen-Z party faces revolt over religious alliance, Dawn - Home, risking its future

Bangladesh’s Gen-Z party faces revolt over religious alliance, risking its future

A Bangladeshi youth-driven party born out of the country’s 2024 uprising is facing an open revolt from within after sealing an election alliance with a religio-political group, a move analysts say could jeopardise its future and reinforce established parties. At least 30 senior leaders of the National Citizen Party (NCP) have openly opposed its alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami, announced on Sunday, with several resigning in protest. … Continue reading Bangladesh’s Gen-Z party faces revolt over religious alliance, risking its future

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2026 OUTLOOK: Journey of highs and lows, Dawn - Home

2026 OUTLOOK: Journey of highs and lows

The year 2025 was exceptional for Pakistan’s geoeconomics and geopolitics. The most dramatic moment was the May 7–10 conflict with India, a confrontation whose political and economic repercussions continue to shape Pakistan’s trajectory. In its aftermath, Pakistan emerged more confident, actively pursuing defence and strategic economic partnerships to reinforce its long-term security. The economy also saw a significant improvement in global perception, reflected in successive … Continue reading 2026 OUTLOOK: Journey of highs and lows

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Balochistan operations, Dawn - Home, Several terrorists killed in KP

Several terrorists killed in KP, Balochistan operations

• ISPR says four terrorists eliminated in Karak • Another eight killed in Lakki police action • Peace committee member injured in attack • Officials told to be on their guard amid threats from banned groups LAKKI MARWAT: At least 12 terrorists were killed and several others injured in two separate intelligence-based operations (IBOs) carried out by security forces in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on … Continue reading Several terrorists killed in KP, Balochistan operations

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Dawn - Home, other Pakistani ulema for ‘extending goodwill’ towards Afghanistan, Sirajuddin Haqqani thanks JUI-F’s Fazl

Sirajuddin Haqqani thanks JUI-F’s Fazl, other Pakistani ulema for ‘extending goodwill’ towards Afghanistan

The interim Afghan Taliban regime’s interior minister, Sirajuddin Haqqani, on Sunday extended his gratitude to all organisations and actors extending goodwill and good intentions to Afghanistan, including the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam Fazl (JUI-F). The comments, delivered during an event in Kabul, come after JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, on December 23, criticised Islamabad for striking terrorist targets in Afghanistan and Iran and for deporting Afghan refugees. … Continue reading Sirajuddin Haqqani thanks JUI-F’s Fazl, other Pakistani ulema for ‘extending goodwill’ towards Afghanistan

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