French Health Minister Stephanie Rist said on Tuesday that it was not certain whether the hantavirus strain involved in the outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship may have mutated, although officials were “rather reassured”.

“There are things … we do not know about this virus,” Rist told the National Assembly. “We do not yet have the complete sequencing of the virus, which allows us to say with certainty today, even if we are rather reassured to date … that this virus has not yet mutated.”

The French health ministry did not respond to a request for additional comment.

Hantavirus is primarily spread by rodents but can be transmitted between people in rare cases, according to the World Health Organisation. It usually begins with flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue and fever, one to eight weeks after exposure.

A cluster has been linked in recent days to the MV Hondius ship, which docked in Spain’s Canary Islands following a polar expedition that departed from Argentina.

The outbreak has been linked to the Andes strain of hantavirus, with officials consulting Argentina, where an outbreak involving the same strain ended in 2019.

The WHO has said there was no indication that there was anything unusual about the hantavirus strain on the ship beyond its location.

It has confirmed nine cases and urged isolation of suspected cases, adding that more are expected given passenger interactions before the virus was detected. However, it said there was no sign of a wider outbreak.

Italy to examine samples from quarantined man

Meanwhile, Italy’s top infectious diseases hospital said on Tuesday it would examine biological samples from a man in quarantine having come into contact with a woman who died of Hantavirus.

The ANSA news agency had previously reported that the man, a 25-year-old from the southern Calabria region, had been hospitalised.

He was briefly on the same plane as a woman who later died from the virus. The woman was disembarked from the KLM flight before it took off from Johannesburg.

ANSA reported earlier that the man was being transferred to the Spallanzani Hospital in Rome, but the hospital later clarified that it was only awaiting his biological samples in order to analyse them.

KARACHI: Police on Tuesday arrested a “most-wanted” woman accused of supplying cocaine and other narcotics across the city, an official statement said.

According to the statement, a joint operation was conducted by a police team from Garden Police Station and a civilian intelligence agency to arrest the accused after midnight.

“A female suspect identified as Anmol alias Pinki, allegedly involved in supplying cocaine and other deadly narcotics across the city, has been arrested,” the statement said.

It added that the accused was “most-wanted” by police and had been absconding in several cases.

“One pistol, cocaine worth millions of rupees, chemicals, and other narcotics were recovered from the accused,” claimed police.

In its statement, the police further said the accused was operating an “organised and extensive network” for narcotics dealing and supply, adding that she used to supply drugs online in Clifton, DHA, and other areas of Karachi through designated riders.

The accused also used female riders to protect her network from law enforcement agencies.

“The accused’s customers included students as well as prominent personalities,” it said, adding that she sold narcotics worth hundreds of thousands of rupees daily through various methods.

Meanwhile, the police have also registered two First Information Reports (FIRs) against the accused under various clauses of the Sindh Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 2024, and the Sindh Arms Act, 2013.

Talking to Dawn, South Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) Syed Asad Raza said that Anmol alias Pinki has two brothers, Nasir and Shaukat, who are her facilitators.

“Nasir allegedly sends narcotics from Punjab to Karachi through girls; meanwhile, Shaukat has previously been arrested in Karachi by Gizri and Saddar Police Stations,” he said.

DIG Asad stated that her ex-husband, Rana Nasir, was also her facilitator and was involved in introducing her to these activities.

“She had been residing in the Gulistan-i-Jauhar area of Karachi for approximately one and a half years,” he said.

No handcuffs during court appearance

As the accused was presented before the court to record a statement, a video of her walking through the court’s corridor without handcuffs, wearing sunglasses and carrying a water bottle, went viral on social media.

The video shows the accused being guided by the investigating officer, who was walking behind her.

Karachi Additional Inspector-General (AIG) Azad Khan has taken strict notice of a news report aired on a private TV channel claiming that alleged drug dealer, Anmol, was presented in court without handcuffs for physical remand.

“AIG Azad has immediately sought a detailed report from the South DIG regarding the incident and ordered an inquiry to determine the responsibilities of the relevant officers,” said a statement issued by his office.

“He clarified that all police officers and personnel are bound to perform their duties in accordance with the law and standard operating procedures (SOPs), and that any negligence or carelessness will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” it said.

Meanwhile, Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar has taken strict notice of the matter related to her appearance in court, according to a statement issued by his office.

“The Sindh home minister has sought an immediate report from Karachi AIG Azad Khan and ordered a transparent inquiry into the incident,” it said.

“How was protocol provided to the accused? All responsible personnel should submit an explanation,” the statement quoted Lanjar as saying, adding that immediate action should be taken against the police personnel who provided protocol to the accused.

“Such conduct is unacceptable under any circumstances. Those found negligent should be punished in accordance with the law. No criminal is above the law, and every individual should be treated in accordance with the law,” he said. “The police uniform is a symbol of public trust.”

He asserted that misuse of authority would not be tolerated, saying, “Strict action will be taken against those damaging the credibility of law enforcement agencies.”

He maintained that providing unnecessary protocol to accused persons in courts is against the requirements of justice. “The Sindh government will make no compromise on the rule of law.”

“Elements undermining citizens’ trust deserve no leniency,” the home minister said.

“The Home Department is closely monitoring the matter, and further strict decisions will be taken after the report is received,” Lanjar said.

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) on Tuesday announced that students intending to pursue medical or dental education abroad must qualify for the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) and obtain registration before going abroad.

According to a statement, the PMDC informed that a high-level committee chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar is currently overseeing the strengthening of the regulatory framework for medical and dental education in Pakistan.

It said that a meeting of the PMDC’s Sub-Committee on Accreditation of Medical and Dental Colleges and Postgraduate Qualifications was held today to “review ongoing reforms and regulatory measures to strengthen medical and dental education in Pakistan”.

“The sub-committee is focused on enhancing transparency, standardising accreditation mechanisms for medical and dental colleges, and streamlining the recognition process inspections for undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in line with international standards,” it added.

During the meeting, PMDC said that detailed discussions were held regarding the inspection processes of medical and dental colleges’ undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

The sub-committee appreciated the ongoing efforts to ensure smooth, transparent and merit-based inspections of institutions, it said, adding that committee members were briefed on the latest reforms, updated procedures and mechanisms introduced to improve the quality and credibility of inspections conducted so far.

“The sub-committee emphasised that there should be no compromise on inspection standards and procedures, restating a policy of zero tolerance toward any negligence, irregularity, or lack of compliance in the accreditation process.

“The meeting participants stressed the importance of maintaining the highest standards of medical and dental education to safeguard the future of healthcare in Pakistan,” it stated.

The meeting also discussed matters related to foreign graduates, it informed.

“The sub-committee clearly resolved that all students intending to pursue medical or dental education abroad must mandatorily qualify for the MDCAT examination and obtain registration with the PMDC before going abroad to pursue medical or dental education to avoid any future inconvenience regarding recognition, licensing, or registration,” the PMDC said.

“The sub- committee highlighted that students must verify that the foreign medical institution they intend to join is included in the list of foreign recognised institutions available with PMDC before proceeding with admission,” it maintained.

Furthermore, the PMDC stressed that the institution should be accredited by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) or listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools.

“The medical qualification must comprise at least 6,200 hours of education with a minimum of 80 per cent attendance over a period of five years.”

The sub-committee also advised that in countries where the medium of instruction is not English, students must spend at least five months learning the local language before beginning their medical studies to ensure effective communication and academic understanding, the PMDC said.

In addition, it said that students will also be required to pass the National Registration Examination conducted by PMDC in order to obtain registration in Pakistan after completion of their foreign qualification.

“The sub-committee directed the students to provide complete details of their residence and contact numbers in the country of study before departure,” it said, adding that the students were also advised to secure a multiple-entry visa valid for the duration of their studies prior to proceeding abroad.

The sub-committee reiterated that these measures had been introduced to safeguard the academic and professional future of Pakistani medical students and to ensure that graduates meet the required national and international standards for medical practice, it concluded.

ISLAMABAD: As international funding to Pakistan’s health sector continues to decline and major foreign donors are set to completely suspend grants by 2030, the country faces serious health risks unless urgent steps are taken by the government, it emerged on Tuesday.

These are the findings of a report published last week, titled “Beyond Dependence: Understanding the Impact of ODA Cuts on Pakistan’s Health System”. The report, prepared by think tank Tabadlab, is authored by Behzad Taimur, Shahab Siddiqi and Syeda Farwa Qamar Jaffri and discusses the impact of declining Official Development Assistance (ODA) on Pakistan.

ODA refers to grants and concessional loans provided by governments and international agencies to support economic development and welfare in low- and middle-income countries.

The report finds that shrinking foreign assistance can threaten disease control programmes, immunisation efforts, and institutional capacity across the country. Once funding stops, it may significantly affect district-level monitoring, community outreach interventions, diagnostic testing capacity, and workforce training programmes.

According to the report, global ODA flows have been declining since 2019, with a sharper decline in recent years. Total global ODA dropped from $215 billion in 2024 to $174.3bn in 2025 — a decrease of 23 per cent — and may further decline in coming years.

The report warns that reductions in global health financing can have devastating consequences worldwide. Estimates suggest aid cuts may contribute to approximately 22.6m additional deaths globally by 2030, including 5.4m children under the age of five.

Country burdened by weak health indicators

The report paints a bleak picture of Pakistan’s health outcomes, describing the country as burdened by both communicable and non-communicable diseases.

Tuberculosis, diabetes, cardiovascular illnesses, malaria, HIV-AIDS and child health complications continue to strain the healthcare system. Despite modest gains in life expectancy, Pakistan still lags behind regional countries on several key indicators, it said.

Life expectancy in Pakistan stands at 68 years, nearly four years below the South Asian average. Infant mortality remains among the highest in the region at 50.1 deaths per 1,000 live births — more than double the rates observed in Bangladesh and Nepal.

Low public health spending

One of the report’s central findings is that Pakistan continues to under-invest in public healthcare despite rising health demands. Total health expenditure amounts to only 2.9pc of GDP, far below international benchmarks and lower than the South Asian average of 4pc. Public sector spending accounts for just 0.9pc of GDP, significantly below the levels recommended for achieving universal health coverage.

Although federal and provincial health budgets increased from Rs530.8bn in FY2019-20 to Rs1.4tr in FY2025-26, the report notes that inflation has sharply reduced the real value of those increases. After adjusting for inflation, health spending increased by only 25pc over six years. It argues that this rise remains insufficient to close longstanding gaps in healthcare infrastructure and service delivery.

The report points out that there are also disparities in per capita investments in different provinces. It notes that in Punjab, Rs2,043 ($12) are spent on each person every year; in Balochistan, Rs2,680 ($16); in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Rs3,136 ($18); and the most is spent in Sindh, at Rs3,203 ($19) per capita.

Increasing reliance on loans instead of grants

The report notes that Pakistan has received an average of $4.9bn annually in ODA between FY2016-17 and FY2024-25, equivalent to approximately 1.7pc of the GDP during the period. However, the composition of aid has changed significantly over time. Grant-based assistance has declined by 59pc, falling from $512m to $211m, while concessional loans now make up 96pc of all external assistance to Pakistan.

The report links this shift to broader global trends emphasising “shared responsibility” and “country ownership”, where donor agencies increasingly expect developing countries to finance development projects through debt, co-financing arrangements, and blended finance mechanisms rather than grants.

Global health initiatives face risks

The report also focuses heavily on Global Health Initiatives (GHIs), particularly institutions such as The Global Fund and Gavi, which finance critical public health programmes in Pakistan. Researchers argue that these initiatives play a system-critical role because they support vaccine procurement, supply chains, diagnostic infrastructure, disease surveillance, and service delivery programmes, according to the findings.

It also refers to recent cuts linked to USAID and UN agencies as examples of how donor withdrawal can trigger immediate disruptions. According to the analysis, aid contraction affects Pakistan through three main channels: abrupt bilateral donor withdrawals, reductions in multilateral pooled financing, and indirect spillover effects from weakening regional health systems.

Technical capacity and disease surveillance

Beyond direct financial losses, the report warns that shrinking ODA threatens Pakistan’s technical and institutional capacity.

It said that international partners such as the World Health Organisation, Unicef and the World Food Programme provide “advisory expertise, outbreak response coordination, disease surveillance support, and specialised technical assistance”. Cuts to these programmes could weaken Pakistan’s ability to respond to epidemics and cross-border disease threats, it highlighted.

The report highlights risks associated with trans-boundary transmission of tuberculosis, malaria, typhoid and polio, particularly from Afghanistan.

“Researchers warn that weakening surveillance systems could place enormous strain on local health infrastructure,” it said, adding that health management information systems, laboratory networks, diagnostics, and programme monitoring mechanisms are also expected to suffer if technical assistance contracts further.

Fund cuts already impacting Pakistan

The report identifies recent funding reductions by the Global Fund as an early warning sign of future disruptions.

It noted that in July 2025, Pakistan’s health ministry was informed of a $27.2m reduction under the Global Fund’s grant. Most of the cuts targeted tuberculosis control programmes, although HIV-AIDS programmes managed by the National AIDS Control Programme and UNDP Pakistan also faced reductions exceeding $4m.

The report states that once implemented, these cuts could “significantly affect district-level monitoring, community outreach interventions, diagnostic testing capacity, and workforce training programmes” in Punjab and KP.

Call for structural reforms

The report concludes that Pakistan must urgently reduce its dependence on external health financing and strengthen domestic systems before global aid contractions deepen further. It warns that declining ODA could sharply increase disease burdens, worsen mortality outcomes, and weaken long-term human capital development if measures are not taken quickly.

To address these challenges, the report recommends the establishment of a National Health Financing Forum to coordinate federal and provincial responses.

Other recommendations include creating a national ODA registry, introducing a health financing risk matrix, strengthening forecasting and integrated financial planning systems, improving domestic resource mobilisation, enhancing technical capacity, and reforming governance structures within the healthcare sector.

Last month, Federal Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal lashed out at The Global Fund for allegedly giving over 90pc of its funds to non-government organisations (NGOs) to combat HIV.

He said that NGOs were not answerable to the government and they did not share any data with the ministry under the pretext of confidentiality. Meanwhile, the government had received only $3.9 million from the fund.

Earlier in April, speakers at a national symposium on primary healthcare in Karachi underscored the need for promoting health across sectors, improving access and service quality, enhancing government-private collaboration and reducing reliance on external aid.

A powerful Hindu group from which Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party emerged claimed on Tuesday it had organised foreign visits, including to the US, to counter perceptions that it is a paramilitary outfit involved in attacks on minority communities.

The outreach by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), or National Volunteer Organisation, came after the US Commission on International Religious Freedom said in a report in November that it “has been involved in acts of extreme violence and intolerance against members of minority groups for decades”.

The commission is a bipartisan body of the US federal government that monitors religious freedom around the world and makes policy recommendations to the president, the secretary of state and the US Congress.

Modi joined the RSS in his youth, and the rise of his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to near-national dominance is widely attributed to the RSS’ vast network of volunteers, during a period marked by a hardening Hindu-Muslim political divide in the officially secular country where Hindus are a majority.

RSS banned several times

The RSS claims it is a “Hindu-centric civilisational, cultural movement” whose goal is to “carry the nation to the pinnacle of glory”, including by uniting Hindus and protecting the religion.

It has been banned several times since its inception in 1925, including after a former member assassinated independence hero Mahatma Gandhi in 1948.

Indian opposition leaders, particularly Rahul Gandhi of the main opposition Congress party, have repeatedly accused the RSS of promoting a divisive, majoritarian ideology that he says threatens India’s secular fabric and fuels intolerance towards minorities.

RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said he has been addressing gatherings in the US, Germany and Britain, with more planned, to “dispel certain misgivings and misconceptions about the RSS”.

He said the main accusations against the RSS included that it was “pulling society backwards”, that it was a paramilitary organisation, that it promotes Hindu supremacist things, and that others have become second-class citizens.

“The fact is entirely different,” Hosabale told a rare briefing for foreign media in the group’s newly built 12-floor building in Delhi.

Met policymakers and business leaders

Hosabale met academics, policymakers and business leaders in his visits. He said RSS leaders would visit more countries in Europe, Southeast Asia and other regions to raise awareness about the organisation.

Modi has already delivered on two key agenda items for the RSS: building a temple to the Hindu god Ram on the site of Babri mosque razed in 1992, and revoking the special status of occupied Kashmir, formerly India’s only Muslim-majority state.

The other key goal is to end discrimination based on Hindu caste, Hosabale said.

India’s opposition successfully leveraged concerns among underprivileged castes to hand Modi a rare setback in the 2024 national election, when his party fell short of a majority and was forced to rely on allies.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced talks with Cuba, which has been crippled by a fuel blockade in the wake of Washington’s capture of key regional ally Nicolas Maduro, the former president of Venezuela.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump described the communist-ruled island as “a failed country,” adding: “Cuba is asking for help, and we are going to talk!!!” He did not provide details.

There is growing speculation in Washington that Trump is seeking to overturn the Cuban government as part of a drive to increase US dominance in the Caribbean and Latin America.

Earlier this month, Trump said the United States would be “taking over” the Caribbean island off the Florida coast “almost immediately.” He has also said that following the US military operation to depose Venezuela’s longtime leader, Maduro, Cuba will be next.

The communist island has been in a standoff with successive US administrations since the 1960s, and Florida, only around 145 kilometres away, hosts a large, politically influential Cuban exile community.

Venezuela was a diplomatic and economic lifeline for impoverished Cuba, and the fall of Maduro has left the island even more isolated.

Oil producer Venezuela was the main source of fuel for Cuba, and the shutting down of the supply route by the United States is provoking frequent power cuts.

On May 1, Trump announced new economic sanctions targeting key sections of the Cuban economy. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez called this “collective punishment” and “unilateral coercive measures. “

KARACHI: Amid recent reports of Cambridge exam paper leaks, students who appeared for an AS-level Mathematics paper on Tuesday made fresh claims that the paper they received was identical to a solved paper they had come across on social media just a day earlier.

Cambridge International Education (CIE), part of Cambridge University Press and Assessment, offers internationally recognised exams to schools in over 160 countries. In Pakistan, O Levels (grades 10–11) cover a broad range of subjects, while A and AS Levels (grades 12–13) are more specialised and advanced, providing pathways to higher education in Pakistan and abroad.

When Dawn reached out to Cambridge about the matter, a spokesperson said that Cambridge investigates all allegations of paper leaks.

“We do not comment on individual reports of paper leaks. In the rare case where there is a genuine issue, we update schools at the right time and provide the recommended next steps,” the spokesperson said.

“We ask people only to trust official statements from Cambridge and not add to misinformation, which is very unhelpful for students,” they added.

Last month, the AS Level Mathematics exam (9709/12), conducted on April 29, was also subject to similar claims. After conducting a thorough investigation into the matter, CIE said it had reason to believe the claims were not unfounded. A replacement examination for the paper has therefore been scheduled for June 9.

Only a day ago, it was also alleged that an A-Level Business paper had also been leaked.

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.

CIE exams are typically held twice a year, in June and November, with results released in August and January, respectively.

ISLAMABAD: A division bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday issued notices to the Capital Development Authority (CDA) on intra-court appeals filed by apartment owners of One Constitution Avenue and Bank of Punjab (BoP) and sought a response in the matter concerning lease cancellation and third-party rights.

The bench, comprising Justice Muhammad Azam Khan and Justice Raja Inaam Amin Minhas, heard arguments from appellants’ counsel, Advocate Taimur Aslam, who requested the court to restrain disciplinary or coercive action until the recommendations of a committee recently formed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif are finalised and approved by the cabinet.

On May 1, the premier constituted a high-level committee to review the issue involving One Constitution Avenue and halted authorities from taking any action.

The court adjourned further hearing on the intra-court appeals, observing that the decision on the stay application would be issued later.

The case stems from an April 30, 2026, judgment of a single-member bench of the IHC, headed by the Chief Justice Mohammad Sarfraz Dogar, which dismissed a petition filed by builder M/s BNP (Private) Limited and upheld the CDA’s decision to cancel the lease of the 13.5-acre commercial-residential project over alleged multi-billion-rupee payment defaults.

The single bench had also ruled that third-party sub-lessees and purchasers would “sink or sail” with BNP, effectively linking their rights with those of the original lessee. The ruling has now been challenged before the divisional bench by several apartment owners as well as the BoP.

According to the appeals, the BoP has a direct stake in the matter as BNP had obtained financing from the bank and subsequently paid amounts to the CDA.

Court documents state that the bank had acquired around 25,420 square feet on sub-lease, including space on the lower ground, upper ground and first floors, for the establishment of a branch at One Constitution Avenue.

The Registrar’s Office, however, has raised objections regarding the maintainability of the bank’s intra-court appeal.

The proceedings

During Tuesday’s proceedings, counsel for the appellants stated that there was no objection to the court decision to the extent it declared the lease cancellation valid; however, the intra-court appeals challenged observations relating to third-party rights.

He argued that the earlier judgment itself had expressed the expectation that the CDA and affected third parties would arrive at an acceptable solution, but the CDA was now avoiding that course.

The lawyer informed the bench that before a certified copy of the judgment could even be received, CDA officials entered the building and allegedly broke locks. A press release issued by the CDA after the cancellation of the lease was also submitted before the court.

The counsel informed the bench that since 2023, a committee comprising residents had been managing the building’s daily affairs in coordination with the CDA. He said the project consisted of two towers with around 240 apartments and that the CDA had raised no objections during construction.

Counsel further submitted that many overseas Pakistanis had invested their life savings in the project and maintained that apartment owners had no connection with BNP. He added that diplomats and their families were also residing in the building.

The appellants requested the court to declare that the impugned judgment did not authorise the CDA to dispossess, evict or take coercive action against bona fide purchasers without due process.

They also relied heavily on orders passed by the Supreme Court of Pakistan on January 9 and November 6, 2019, directing the CDA to devise a “viable, fair, transparent, secure and enforceable arrangement” for settlement of third-party claims.

Justice Minhas observed during the hearing that there had been a clear violation of the SC’s 2019 order and questioned what the consequences of that violation would be.

The appellant’s lawyer responded that the CDA had previously been asked to devise a plan of action while safeguarding the rights of third parties. He argued that CDA officials were reluctant to intervene further due to potential accountability proceedings involving NAB and FIA.

Counsel also referred to a May 1, 2026, notification barring coercive action pending the prime minister’s final decision on the matter.

The hearing was later adjourned, with the bench reserving its decision on the stay application.

Pace bowler Nahid Rana claimed five wickets as Bangladesh trumped Pakistan by 104 runs in a rain-hit first Test on Tuesday after a thrilling fifth day of batting collapses.

Chasing 268 for victory in Dhaka, Pakistan were 119-3 before they fell to 163 all out in the final session with debutant Abdullah Fazal scoring a valiant 66.

Bangladesh now hold a 1-0 lead in the two-match home series.

The Test win was Bangladesh’s first against Pakistan on home soil and their third overall.

The 23-year-old Fazal put on 51 runs with Salman Agha, who made 26, to raise Pakistan’s hopes of victory before Rana rattled the opposition with career-best figures of 5-40.

Rana, 23, made an impact with his pace and reverse swing and his final spell of 4.5 overs got him four wickets for just 10 runs to turn the match on its head.

“Very happy — proud of all the guys, the way we played,” Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said.

“We have been working hard the last few months and slowly we are getting better at Test cricket — that’s one thing we have always wanted to do.”

The victory also saw Shanto equal Mushfiqur Rahim’s record of seven Test wins as Bangladesh captain, achieving the milestone in just 17 matches compared to Mushfiqur’s 34.

Shanto’s batting brilliance

Bangladesh came into the final day with a lead of 179 runs at 152-3 but a clutch of wickets made them falter despite Shanto’s 87.

Bangladesh declared their second innings on 240-9 to hand Pakistan a competitive target and a chance for their bowlers to make use of the deteriorating pitch.

Taskin Ahmed took down opener Imam-ul-Haq for two and Mehidy Hasan Miraz bowled debutant and first-innings centurion Azan Awais for 15.

Rana removed Pakistan captain Shan Masood for two before Fazal and Agha counter-attacked in their fourth-wicket partnership, but Bangladesh bowlers proved their mettle on home turf to secure victory in the final session of the day.

Rana delivered the decisive blows. He had Saud Shakeel caught behind before producing the ball of the match – a thunderous 147 kmph (91.3 mph) in-swinging yorker that bowled Mohammad Rizwan for 15.

Rana was on a roll as he trapped Noman Ali lbw and then bounced out Shaheen Shah Afridi, with Mahmudul Hasan Joy taking a simple catch to complete a famous victory.

Pakistan captain Masood proffered no excuses for his side’s failure to seize the key moments in the match.

“In the first innings, with bat and ball, we needed to do better,” he said.

“When you have the game in your hands you have to push the opposition away, but we failed to do that.” Shanto stood out for his batting brilliance as he made 101 in the first innings to guide Bangladesh to 413.

Pakistan responded with 386 in their first innings but conceded a slender lead after off-spinner Mehidy returned figures of 5-102.

Rain played spoilsport on the third and fourth days of the Test with a few overs lost due to interruptions.

The second match will begin on Saturday in Sylhet.

While macroeconomic stability improved in the first half of fiscal year 2026, the war in the Middle East poses risks to the economic outlook amid heightened uncertainty, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said on Tuesday.

The SBP released its Half Year Report 2025-26 (The State of Pakistan’s Economy) on Tuesday, showing that Pakistan’s macroeconomic stability strengthened in the first half of the fiscal year despite headwinds from uncertainty regarding global trade and domestic floods.

However, the report noted that the war in the Middle East poses “significant risks to the macroeconomic outlook”, as supply chain disruptions are likely to affect the inflation trajectory, external trade and remittance flows, and the country’s economic activity, according to an SBP press release.

Discussing the outlook for FY26, the report notes that the latest data on high-frequency indicators — including Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), LSM and construction — suggests that economic activity maintained the momentum through February before the war began to weigh on output in the remaining month of FY26.

“Therefore, SBP projects real GDP growth close to the lower bound of the earlier projected range of 3.75 to 4.75 per cent for FY26,” the statement said, adding that despite momentum in economic activity and higher commodity prices, the current account deficit is now expected to be close to the lower bound of the earlier projected range of 0-1pc of GDP.

However, a surge in international oil prices and its impact on other commodity prices are expected to keep the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) inflation above the upper bound of the medium-term target range of 5-7pc for most of FY27.

The report highlights that economic indicators improved significantly in the first half of FY26. It noted that average NCPI inflation eased further, while SBP’s FX purchases and net financial inflows shored up external buffers.

“These outcomes were supported by prudent monetary and fiscal policies, ongoing structural reforms, favorable commodity prices and [the] IMF programme,” the press release said, particularly highlighting the continued cautious monetary policy stance of the SBP.

“The macroeconomic stability, in turn, facilitated growth momentum,” it added.

The report further said that the real GDP in H1-FY26 grew at “twice the pace” of the same period last year, mainly driven by pickup in industrial activity followed by services and agriculture sectors. The momentum in economic activity translated into a volume-driven increase in imports in H1-FY26.

At the same time, it noted, a significant drop in rice exports led to a decline in export earnings. However, steadily rising workers’ remittances continued to finance a major part of the deficits in trade, services, and primary income balance, helping to keep the current account deficit at moderate levels.

The report also highlights that “the substantial reduction in interest payments and fiscal consolidation measures turned the fiscal balance into a surplus in H1-FY26, for the first time since FY02, while the primary surplus remained at last year’s level”.

The report further notes that “continued prudent policy mix, an improved external account position and stability in exchange rate, softened international commodity prices along with downward adjustments in administered electricity tariffs” kept inflation moderate during H1-FY26.

“The NCPI inflation averaged 5.2 per cent in H1-FY26, about two percentage points lower compared to the same period last year,” the SBP said.

According to the SBP statement, the report highlights that while Pakistan’s overall economic conditions improved, the country’s transition to a sustainable high-growth path with sustained macroeconomic stability required deep-rooted economic reforms.

“These specifically need to address the long-standing issues, including low savings and investment, weak competitiveness, falling exports, subdued foreign direct investment, and the persistently low tax to GDP ratio,” it said.

The report includes a chapter titled ‘Climate Change and its Impact on Pakistan’s Economy’, which highlights that while Pakistan’s contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions is very low, it is the 15th-most affected country by climate events.

It further noted that Pakistan is among the countries that face high levels of vulnerability to climate change and low levels of preparedness to deal with the ensuing challenges, saying, “This low readiness enhances the risks to country’s economy.”

It also pointed out Pakistan’s relatively high emissions intensity of GDP, reflecting “structural inefficiencies and a carbon-intensive growth trajectory”.

It stressed the requirement for substantial investments in climate mitigation and adaptation, which currently remain largely unmet due to low international climate inflows and challenges to domestic public and private sector financing.

The report also discusses the multifaceted macroeconomic risks to the medium-term outlook in the case of an extended war in the Middle East.

Last week, the Ministry of Finance and the SBP showed unanimous optimism over economic growth and achieving fiscal and current account targets despite the regional crisis.

In April, SBP Governor Jameel Ahmad said that while the ongoing conflict in the region has introduced new risks and heightened uncertainty about the macroeconomic outlook, the economy is relatively better positioned than during previous crises to manage these challenges.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer defied calls to resign on Tuesday, telling ministers he would “get on with governing” despite a “destabilising” 48 hours of growing calls to set out a timetable for his departure after a drubbing in local elections.

At a meeting of his cabinet, Starmer, in the top job for less than two years, repeated that, while he took responsibility for one of his Labour Party’s worst election defeats, there had been no official move to trigger a leadership contest. Four ministers expressed their support for him.

It was the latest pledge from Starmer to press on with a premiership that has been dogged by scandal and policy U-turns since he won a large majority at a national election in 2024. On Monday, he promised to be bolder in tackling the problems besetting Britain to try to shore up his political future.

Borrowing costs rise

In a nod to an increase in borrowing costs on the markets over fears of another bout of political instability in Britain, Starmer said the “past 48 hours have been destabilising for government, and that has a real economic cost for our country and for families”.

“The Labour Party has a process for challenging a leader and that has not been triggered,” Starmer told his cabinet, according to his Downing Street office.

“The country expects us to get on with governing. That is what I am doing and what we must do as a cabinet.” Leaving the meeting, four senior ministers offered Starmer their support, with pensions minister Pat McFadden telling reporters that no one had challenged the prime minister at cabinet.

McFadden added there were “many statements of support for the job that he’s doing”.

Starmer’s defiance was in marked contrast to the feelings of many in the wider Labour Party.

On Tuesday, a junior minister resigned after a handful of ministerial aides also quit the government. More than 80 Labour lawmakers have publicly called for him to set a resignation date so the party could install a new leader in an orderly manner.

Much-promised stability evaporates

It was a long way from when Starmer first became Labour leader in 2020, inheriting the party after its worst national election showing since 1935 under his predecessor, veteran left-winger Jeremy Corbyn.

He was then seen as a safe pair of hands able to drag Labour more towards the centre ground.

At the 2024 election, he won one of the largest majorities in modern British history for Labour with an offer of stability after years of chaos under the Conservatives, who oversaw five prime ministers in eight years and left, what his government called, a “black hole” of unfunded spending commitments in the public finances.

Now, he is fighting for his political survival.

On Monday, Starmer had again vowed to stay the course, saying succumbing to calls for him to go would bring in the type of chaos that has dogged Britain since the nation narrowly voted in favour of Brexit in 2016.

Bond markets have been sensitive to any suggestion that Starmer and his finance minister, Rachel Reeves, could go and be replaced by someone further on the left who might want to borrow and spend more.

Hard to remove Labour PM

“I can’t see how he gets through the day,” one Labour lawmaker told Reuters on the condition of anonymity.

“If we’re on 70-odd now, the number who think he should go but haven’t gone public is easily double that.”

It is generally harder for Labour lawmakers to remove a prime minister than the opposition Conservative Party. While dozens of Labour lawmakers might have expressed their dissatisfaction with Starmer, 81 of them need to rally behind one single candidate to trigger a contest.

Removing Starmer now — or forcing him to set a departure date — would likely favour health minister Wes Streeting, who is in a position to move first. His supporters say Streeting, who hails from the right of the party, would be a better communicator than Starmer.

Other possible challengers, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, face obstacles to running, both seen as favourites of the moderate left of the party.

Burnham does not have the seat in parliament he needs to mount a challenge, and Rayner has yet to fully resolve the tax issues that prompted her resignation from office last year.

ISLAMABAD: Kuwait agreed on Tuesday to “explore new opportunities” around building strategic storage in Pakistan’s petroleum sector, a statement by the Petroleum Division said, adding that the initiative could result in mutual benefit for both sides.

The assurance came during a meeting between petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and Kuwait’s ambassador to Pakistan, Nassar Abdulrahman Jasser Almutairi, in Islamabad.

“Both sides discussed prospects for enhanced cooperation in the petroleum and energy sectors, especially refining, and agreed to explore new opportunities around building strategic storages in Pakistan that could bring mutual benefit to Pakistan and Kuwait”, the statement said.

It added that the meeting focused on regional developments and energy cooperation.

The two sides also agreed to further strengthen bilateral relations and expand collaboration in areas of common interest, it said.

For his part, the petroleum minister expressed gratitude to Kuwait’s government for its “timely facilitation and support in ensuring the safe dispatch of vessel Khairpur, which reached Pakistan carrying diesel supplies during a challenging period”.

He highlighted that the vessel transported approximately 45,000 tonnes of diesel and 10,000 tonnes of jet fuel from Kuwait to Pakistan under special approvals, following disruptions caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

He said with concerted efforts of the two governments, the Khairpur vessel safely completed its journey and reached Pakistan. This would ensure the continuity of fuel supply and support the fulfilment of national energy needs, the statement quoted him as saying.

The Strait of Hormuz used to be the passageway for one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supply before US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February set off a conflict that has widened into a regional crisis. Meanwhile, the disruption of traffic in Hormuz has resulted in a global fuel crunch, affecting countries across the world, including Pakistan.

For its part, Islamabad has been leading the efforts for de-escalation between the US and Iran.

During his meeting with the Kuwaiti envoy, Minister Malik said Pakistan remained committed to peace and stability, the Petroleum Division’s statement said, adding that he highlighted that repercussions of the ongoing conflict were being felt not only across the region but beyond it as well.

Ambassador Almutairi appreciated Pakistan’s peace efforts and stated that Kuwait “encourages its brothers in Pakistan to continue their constructive role for peace in the region”, the statement said.

It further quoted him as saying that Pakistan had proved itself through its “responsible stance” and its status had “elevated” in the eyes of the international community.

Pakistan imports more than 60 per cent of its diesel from Kuwait under a long-term contract between state-run oil giants of the two countries — Kuwait Petroleum Corporation and Pakistan State Oil.

Kuwait also extended an oil credit facility to Pakistan for an additional two years in April.

In March, Kuwait assured Pakistan of full facilitation in the supply of diesel and jet fuel, which has been stalled due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.