The Cambridge International Education (CIE) said on Wednesday it was “aware of news about a reported paper leak of a question paper”, as several users on social media expressed ire.

“We investigate such reports thoroughly and will provide more information to centres, if required, during or after the end of timetabled exams for the June 2026 series,” the CIE said in its official statement.

The CIE, part of Cambridge University Press and Assessment, offers internationally recognised exams to over scores of schools in 160-plus countries. In Pakistan, O Levels (grades 9–10) cover a broad subject range, while A and AS Levels (grades 11–12) are more specialised and advanced, providing pathways to higher education in Pakistan and abroad.

According to reports, the leaked paper was of AS mathematics.

As reports circulated on social media, irked users pointed out the high examination fees and that Cambridge question papers had leaked in the previous years as well.

In June last year, question papers of three AS and A Level examinations were partially leaked across Pakistan in 2025.

“We have written to our schools in Pakistan to tell them that, against our regulations, some content from three question papers was available before the timetabled exam dates in Pakistan,” the CIE said in a statement at the time.

The leaked papers were AS/A Level Mathematics Paper 12, AS/A Level Mathematics Paper 42 and AS/A Level Computer Science Paper 22.

The CIE had offered free November 2025 resits for candidates who took the three impacted June 2025 exam papers.

In 2024, the CIE had launched an inquiry following an uproar over reports of online leak of the A-Level mathematics paper.

The probe had confirmed that the paper was indeed leaked. “We have reviewed evidence from multiple sources and concluded that this specific paper was seen by a significant number of students in Pakistan before the start of the exam,” a CIE letter had stated, adding that the CIE would give “assessed marks” to students in this particular paper.

CIE exams are typically held twice a year, in June and November, with results released in August and January, respectively. This year, June series papers are being held from April 23-June 9.

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) on Wednesday directed all medical and dental institutions to implement “structured mental health screening protocols” in response to “growing concerns over the increasing incidents of suicide and severe psychological distress among students”.

In a statement, the council issued directives to all medical and dental institutions, emphasising the “critical importance of promoting and safeguarding the mental health of students and faculty”.

It also highlighted the need for proactive measures to identify and address mental health concerns, recognising that academic environments in medical and dental colleges were intellectually rigorous and often psychologically demanding.

“Keeping in view all institutions have been directed to implement structured mental health screening protocols,” the statement said, adding that regular mental health screening, along with easy-to-access and well-organised counselling services, will help improve academic performance, support career growth, and greatly improve the overall well-being of future healthcare professionals.

According to the handout, these screenings are to be conducted at “two key stages”.

First, at the time of student admissions, to identify any pre-existing concerns and provide early support. Further, on an annual basis, for undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as faculty, the statement said.

It advised the institutions to “utilise standardised and validated assessment tools”.

The PMDC also directed institutions to promptly refer any student or faculty member who was identified through the screenings as requiring further evaluation or support to the Department of Psychiatry for comprehensive assessment, appropriate management and ongoing follow-up.

“Furthermore, in accordance with PMDC standards, all institutions have to establish and maintain a fully functional Department of Psychiatry, along with a dedicated counselling section, to ensure accessible and continuous mental health support services,” the statement said.

It further said that the department must be adequately staffed and appropriately equipped to deliver confidential psychological support, professional guidance, and timely intervention services, noting that “the responsibility for the prevention and management of psychological distress among students and faculty rests with the institutions”.

The council maintained that the “implementation of systematic mental health screening, coupled with accessible and well-structured counselling services, is expected to enhance academic performance, support professional development, and significantly improve the overall well-being of future healthcare professionals”.

“All institutions are hereby directed to ensure strict compliance with these requirements and undertake prompt and effective measures for their implementation. This matter must be treated as a priority and executed without delay,” the statement concluded.

In January, a student at a private university in Lahore had attempted suicide by jumping from the second floor. A month prior to the incident, a male student at the same university had also ended his life by jumping from the varsity’s fourth floor.

In February, a female student died after jumping from the fourth floor of a hostel at Fatima Jinnah Medical University in Lahore.

Earlier this month, a medical student at the Muhammad Medical College in Mirpurkhas had also taken her life.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said that the country’s weekly oil bill has reached $800 million due to the ongoing oil crisis arising from the Middle East conflict.

Global fuel prices have skyrocketed over the past two months as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains paralysed since the US and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran on February 28.

Addressing a meeting of the federal cabinet today, PM Shehbaz commended the efforts of Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik for tackling the fuel crisis resulting from the Iran war, stating that the situation now appeared “satisfactory”.

On that note, the prime minister remarked that fuel prices in the global markets had risen sharply, noting that “our weekly pre-war oil bill was around $300m, and today it is up to $800m”.

He further shared that the country’s fuel consumption “had lessened compared to previous weeks”, stressing that the situation was being monitored regularly.

“Consultations are also being held with provinces to extend fuel subsidies,” the premier told the cabinet.

PM Shehbaz further stated that Pakistan was doing well on the macroeconomic front before the war broke out. However, “with the war, our efforts of two years have witnessed a setback”.

Nevertheless, the premier highlighted that Pakistan’s federal reserves “retain their levels” despite paying back debts, which included a $3.45 billion deposit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

He also expressed gratitude to the leadership of Saudi Arabia, which transferred a $3bn deposit recently and also agreed to extend its existing $5bn facility for a further three years.

In his address, the prime minister also apprised the cabinet of Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach in the US-Iran war and recalled the first round of Islamabad Talks held on April 11-12.

“Many diplomatic efforts were made,” he recalled, lauding Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar for trying “their best to restore peace in the region”.

“Following this, a ceasefire extension was announced,” the premier said, recalling the April 21 announcement by US President Donald Trump.

The prime minister also mentioned Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s recent trips to Pakistan. He recalled that before returning to Iran, Araghchi had assured him: “I would give you an answer after holding consultations with the Iranian leadership.”

The Iranian top diplomat made two brief visits to Pakistan within two days, meeting with CDF Munir and PM Shehbaz to discuss the regional situation.

The premier also appreciated Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi for his participation in the meetings.

Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab on Wednesday expressed objection to comparisons between Karachi and Lahore in terms of infrastructure and governance, noting that both provincial capitals had different ground realities.

Speaking alongside Punjab Housing Minister Bilal Yasin in Lahore, Wahab said, “When you compare Karachi to Lahore, this comparison is improper because of the population. We get water from a distance of 125 kilometres. Our daily water requirement is 1,100 million gallons per day (MGD), while our daily supply is 550 MGD, and the population continues to grow”.

“Therefore, I think that comparing them leads to conflict,” he added, calling for both administrations to “work together” and share expertise.

At one point, a reporter asked Wahab why the PPP “could not deliver what the public wanted” despite ruling Sindh for years, prompting Yasin to ask media persons to be “mindful of respecting the guests”.

Responding to another question, Wahab said making such comparisons “leads to an unfortunate situation”, highlighting that the government was aiming to complete under-construction bridges within 90 days.

Referring to Karachi as Pakistan’s “commercial capital”, Wahab noted there was a need for everyone to work together.

“By portraying a Karachi-Lahore divide as political conflict, we are not serving Pakistan,” he asserted.

The mayor said his visit to the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) aimed to learn how the city administration can cut costs and thanked the agency for sharing its expertise.

“No local council or municipal government can work without resources,” said the Karachi mayor.

Wahab highlighted that the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) had increased its revenue to around Rs2.5 billion per month, while Wasa had also bolstered its revenue to around Rs1.7-1.8bn per month.

“This collaboration will continue in this manner,” he said, adding that the Punjab government would continue to work under the PML-N’s vision while his city council would act upon the vision of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.

Mayor Wahab emphasised that “no institution could survive without its revenue”, noting that while it was every institution’s right to collect revenue, it was also bound to utilise it for serving the public.

“We have not increased our tariff, but still managed to increase our revenue up to three times in the past three years,” he said, affirming that it was the PPP leadership’s responsibility to utilise the earnings transparently.

Last month, Wahab said Karachi’s infrastructure would see significant improvement by the end of 2026, as more than 1,000 development schemes, including road construction, new underpasses and bridges, drainage upgrades and improvements to the water supply system, would be completed.

Forces have destroyed several Afghan Taliban posts and vehicles in Balochistan’s Chaman sector, security sources said on Wednesday.

The operations, part of the ongoing ‘Operation Ghazab lil-Haq’, were a response to the “unprovoked aggression” by Afghan Taliban forces and terrorists on the Pak-Afghan border, according to the sources.

Security sources said that the army destroyed several Afghan Taliban posts and vehicles in Chaman “with precision”.

“The Pakistan Army’s effective operations have forced the Afghan Taliban and the Fitna al Khawarij to retreat”.

Fitna al Khawarij is a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

“Security forces’ unwavering resolve to defend the homeland is ensuring the country’s territorial integrity,” sources added.

The sources also stated that the operations will continue until “all set targets are achieved”.

Security forces also destroyed multiple Afghan Taliban posts in the Chaman sector on Tuesday, according to security sources.

On Sunday, the forces destroyed the gun positions of Afghan Taliban involved in unprovoked firing at civilians in South Waziristan. Security sources said that the posts were destroyed after the Afghan Taliban fired at civilians and left three people, including two women, injured.

Due to a resurgence of militancy, especially in KP and Balochistan, where attacks often target security personnel and LEAs, the state has intensified counter-terrorism operations.

Islamabad has repeatedly urged the Afghan Taliban to dismantle terrorist sanctuaries on its soil, particularly those linked to the banned TTP. Officials say those appeals have gone unheeded.

Pakistan, meanwhile, is carrying out Operation Ghazab lil-Haq against the Afghan Taliban and terrorists operating from its soil. It was lau­nched on the night of Feb 26, following unprovoked cross-border attacks by the Afghan Taliban.

After a temporary pause on March 18 at the request of “brotherly Islamic countries,” Pakistan had announced the operation’s resumption on March 26, saying it would continue “until its objectives are achieved”.