ISLAMABAD: After an alleged A-level paper leak, the Inter-Board of Coordination Commission (IBCC) on Wednesday decided to seek report from Cambridge as parents and students once again raised questions about the transparency of the exam system.
“Many A-level students in Pakistan, who appeared for Mathematics (9709) exam, feel cheated. The question paper had been reportedly leaked. A surprisingly prestigious institution like Cambridge can’t maintain exam integrity,” a father of a student posted on social media.
Meanwhile, a teacher of an Islamabad-based private school, in her consoling message to her hardworking students, wrote in parents groups: “I can’t express how infuriated I am right now. I’m at a loss for my hardworking students. No amount of words can console me at the moment either. My heart just broke into a million pieces. I kept telling myself this cannot be true. The entire paper being leaked is just utterly ridiculous. But here we are. It has happened,” she said.
Taking notice of this alleged paper leak, Executive Director IBCC Dr Ghulam Ali Mallah decided to seek a report from Cambridge.
Speaking to Dawn, he said: “ Today, we saw complaints of students and parents on social media about an alleged paper leak. Therefore, we decided to write a letter on Thursday to Cambridge to get their point of view on this issue. Let me assure you, we will take every possible step for our students,” he said.
Commenting on the issue, a Cambridge spokesperson said: “We are aware of news about a reported leak of a question paper. 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.”
It is relevant to note here that last year, there was uproar amongst students and parents for the alleged leakage of five papers. Parents had stated that question papers were available online against payment hours before the start of exams, putting the future of brilliant students at stake and giving undue favour to those who bought.
The issue was taken up by the National Assembly Standing Committee, which had formed a sub-committee that probed the matter in detail and stated that several papers were leaked. Cambridge, in its statement last year, acknowledged “partial leakage of three papers.”
LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly on Wednesday passed the Punjab Film City Authority Bill 2026 by a majority vote after a charged session marked by sharp exchanges between treasury and opposition members, with critics questioning the government’s priorities and the ruling side defending the move as a step toward economic growth and cultural revival.
The bill was presented in the house by Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, who argued that the initiative would revive Pakistan’s struggling film industry, create jobs, and boost tourism. However, opposition lawmakers strongly opposed the legislation, claiming that funds were being diverted from critical sectors like health and education.
Opposition member Ijaz Shafi criticised the government for what he termed “misplaced priorities,” alleging that education and health budgets were being cut to finance the film city project. He also mocked the urgency with which the government was introducing bills, questioning whether it signalled political instability.
His remarks turned controversial when he made personal comments about political leaders, prompting Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan to order those statements expunged from the official record. The speaker maintained that personal attacks were inappropriate and urged members to focus on the substance of the bill.
Marriyum rebuffs opposition’s claim of diverting health, education funds to film city plan
Responding forcefully, Marriyum rejected the opposition’s claims as “baseless and misleading,” asserting that the education budget had increased from Rs30 billion to Rs130bn, while the health development budget had risen significantly to around Rs100bn. She said the government had delivered record funding across sectors, including agriculture, where farmer support programmes such as Kisan Cards and tractor schemes had been expanded.
“This is not just about films; it is about an entire economic ecosystem,” she told the house. “Globally, screen production is a billion-dollar industry. Pakistan has lagged behind due to lack of infrastructure. This bill will change that.”
She argued that the initiative would also improve Pakistan’s global image and strengthen “screen tourism,” a sector she said had remained underdeveloped.
Opposition members, including Waqas Mann and Shoaib Amir, raised broader concerns, questioning governance priorities and demanding accountability on public spending. They argued that with millions of children out of school and infrastructure challenges persisting, the government should focus on essential services rather than entertainment projects.
Some lawmakers also complained about the limited time given to review the bill and called for greater consultation with stakeholders, particularly artistes and industry professionals.
Repeated interruptions, slogan chanting, and points of order disrupted proceedings, forcing the speaker to intervene multiple times to restore order. At one point, the opposition pointed out a lack of quorum, while treasury members responded with counter slogans.
Despite the protests, the government pushed the legislation through, with Marriyum Aurangzeb emphasising that the bill had already been vetted by the relevant standing committee and included regulatory mechanisms for the industry.
In addition to the Film City bill, the assembly also passed the Punjab Environmental Protection (Amendment) Bill 2026 and the Punjab Wildlife Protection Bill 2026, both presented by Marriyum Aurangzeb, reflecting the government’s broader legislative agenda.
The session was later adjourned until Thursday (today) afternoon.
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has rejected a request to transfer the trial of TikToker Sana Yousuf’s murder to another court.
The court of Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfaraz Dogar, while issuing a reserved verdict on the petition of accused Umar Hayat, ordered trial court judge Afzal Majuka to continue the trial.
Accused Umar Hayat had filed a request to transfer the case ongoing in the Sessions Court to another court.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), Yousuf’s mother stated that a man with a pistol in his hand had entered their house suddenly at around 5pm and “shot straight at my daughter with the intention to kill.”
As per Police, the suspect, a 22-year-old man, from Faisalabad had tried to contact Yousuf repeatedly and was being “rejected by her again and again,” adding that the accused had taken Yousuf’s mobile phone in a bid to wipe out the evidence but it had been recovered along with the weapon of offence.
On July 25, police had formally submitted the challan against Hayat to the prosecution branch of the district and sessions courts. It also included Hayat’s confessional statement recorded under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
In his statement, Hayat, son of a retired government official and a TikToker himself, said he had developed a one-sided infatuation with Sana after connecting with her through social media. He confessed that suspicion and jealousy drove him to kill her.
Hayat revealed that he had traveled from Jaranwala to Islamabad on May 28 to wish Sana on her birthday. When she did not meet him, he became convinced she was deliberately avoiding him. He added that on June 2, he returned to the capital after renting a Toyota Fortuner and carrying a 30-bore pistol, intending to confront her.
The high court’s rejection of the transfer petition means the trial will proceed before Judge Afzal Majuka as originally scheduled.
KARACHI: Expressing concern over prolonged power outages particularly in underprivileged areas of the metropolis, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has asked the K-Electric to find a practical solution to reduce loadshedding, particularly in poorer neighbourhoods.
In a meeting with KE Chairman Shahryar Chishti and CEO Syed Taha here at the CM House on Wednesday, CM Shah directed the Sindh energy department and KE to jointly undertake a study on initiating a targeted subsidy programme for vulnerable electricity consumers in Karachi.
He directed the formulation of proposals to provide affordable electricity to low-income neighbourhoods and industrial areas, while stressing the need to reduce loadshedding in poor localities as summer begins.
“We want loadshedding to be reduced, especially in low-income areas, and a sustainable solution should be worked out so poor communities are not burdened by long outages,” the CM said, according to a press statement.
Body formed to propose targeted subsidy; provision of uninterrupted, affordable electricity to low-income and industrial areas
Discussing long-term solutions, the CM stressed the need to generate cheaper electricity, particularly through the utilisation of Thar coal, and proposed that low-cost electricity generated from Thar be supplied to KE so it could be provided uninterruptedly at affordable rates to poor localities.
He also said the Sindh government was exploring a partnership with KE to develop a plan for supplying competitively priced electricity to industrial areas to support productivity and reduce costs.
The KE chairman Chishti assured the chief minister that the utility was ready to work in cooperation with the Sindh government on measures aimed at relief and improved service delivery.
He observed that low-cost power generation was essential for sustainable relief to consumers.
The chief minister directed the energy department to prepare multiple proposals for providing cheaper electricity and announced the formation of a committee comprising the Karachi commissioner, energy secretary and the KE CEO.
The committee will present recommendations on supplying affordable electricity to low-income areas and explore viable subsidy and supply mechanisms.
The meeting also reviewed broader energy cooperation between the Sindh government and KE, with a focus on affordability, uninterrupted supply and support for vulnerable consumers.
ISLAMABAD: In an interesting show of lampooning, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) publicly confirmed that revenue-based loadshedding is illegal, but the Power Division rejected this, saying the practice would continue nevertheless to avoid the addition of Rs400bn to the circular debt already roaring back to Rs1.8 trillion from about Rs1.6tr nine months ago.
At a public hearing on an insignificant 27 paise per unit fuel cost adjustment (FCA), the government also reported that it was considering removing the petroleum levy on furnace oil to shield the power consumers from high tariffs because of the unavailability of liquefied natural gas (LNG), subject to clearance from the International Monetary Fund.
Chief financial officer of Power Planning and Monitoring Company (PPMC), Naveed Qaisar, said there was no shortage in Karachi, but K-Electric was following revenue-based loadshedding in high-loss areas.
He also confirmed revenue-based loadshedding in the rest of the country, otherwise the circular debt would increase by over Rs400bn, which already stood at Rs1.798tr at March 31, when compared to Rs1.161tr at the start of FY26.
Power Division vows to continue practice
Nepra member Amina Ahmed said the revenue-based loadshedding was illegal. Asked where the law stood when something declared illegal in multiple decisions and announced at the public hearing by the regulator was not only confirmed to be in vogue by the regulated entities on the same occasion, but also announced to continue in future as well. Members of the regulator conducting the public hearing remained silent despite reminders from other intervenors.
Mr Qaiser said the gas supply to the power sector had increased to 140 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) from 80 MMCFD, while an LNG cargo was expected to start delivering about 100 MMCFD more within days, further increasing the gas supply to about 250 MMCFD.
He said the government was examining options for how to address the expansion of the protected consumer category through tagging.
ISLAMABAD: A high-level delegation of the European Union and business representatives from prominent European companies on Tuesday called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and lauded Pakistan’s role in de-escalation efforts in the Middle East, while also vowing to enhance trade ties with Islamabad.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the meeting was held at the Prime Minister House. The delegation was led by Peteris Ustubs, Director (Asia Pacific) of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships, and included Ms. Thourya Triki of the European Investment Bank and senior executives from leading European companies, including Manuel Pauser, Vice President of Adidas; Vice President of Andritz, Karl Schloegelbauer; and Regional Director of IKEA, Dieter Metkke.
The delegation is visiting Pakistan to attend the EU-Pakistan Business Forum. The Ambassador of the European Union to Pakistan, Raimundas Karoblis, was also present.
The prime minister welcomed the EU delegation and thanked them for participating in the EU-Pakistan Business Forum. He said the EU is Pakistan’s largest trading partner and the destination for the highest volume of Pakistani exports.
Appreciating the convening of the forum, the prime minister expressed hope that it would further enhance trade and investment ties between Pakistan and the EU. He assured the delegation that the government would continue serious efforts to facilitate the growth of trade relations with the EU.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to stabilising the economy despite regional challenges, including the recent spike in oil prices due to the situation in the Middle East.
Lauding the PM’s role in peace efforts, the EU delegation expressed gratitude to the government for its support in hosting the EU-Pakistan Business Forum.
KARACHI: Sindh Governor Syed Muhammad Nehal Hashmi on Monday met with family members of 11 Pakistani crew members kidnapped by pirates who hijacked an oil tanker near Somalia last week.
He assured the families that the federal government would not leave them alone under any circumstances.
Last week, armed pirates had hijacked the oil tanker near the Somali coast and took 11 Pakistani crew members and the Indonesian captain of the vessel hostage.
The governor, along with families of the kidnapped individuals, told a press conference that the federal government was taking all-out measures to secure the safe release of the Pakistani crew members.
Meets affected families, assures them of full cooperation
He said that both the federal and Sindh governments stand with the affected families in this difficult time.
He added that immediate contact was established with the families and their concerns were heard and full cooperation was assured.
The governor noted that communication with the hostages remained intact and efforts for their safe recovery were ongoing at all levels.
He said that discussions were also underway with the European Union regarding the recovery of the hostages.
The incident occurred outside Pakistan’s maritime boundaries, which has led to certain complexities, he added.
On the occasion, the families of the kidnapped individuals expressed gratitude to the governor for promptly taking up the matter with the federal government.
They said the government action provided hope that their loved ones will return safely soon.
ISLAMABAD: Dr Mahrang Baloch approached the Supreme Court on Monday to challenge the denial of post-arrest bail in a case registered against her under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997.
Filed by Advocate Jibran Nasir on behalf of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee’s (BYC) central organiser, the petition was moved after the Balochistan High Court (BHC) rejected her bail application on Feb 23 this year, in connection with a first information report (FIR) registered at the Counter-Terrorism Department police station in Quetta.
The FIR was lodged on Jan 6 last year by Station House Officer Asghar Ali, alleging that Dr Mahrang, whose name was placed in the Fourth Schedule of the ATA vide a government notification dated Oct 23, 2024, remained absent from her required appearances and continued participating in public processions and sit-ins.
It further claimed that Dr Mahrang, who is currently incarcerated at the District Jail Quetta, was allegedly facilitating the proscribed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).
The case was registered under sections 11-EE [listing in the Fourth Schedule as a proscribed person on terrorism grounds] and 11-F(1)(2) [belonging to or supporting a proscribed organisation] of the ATA, 1997.
Dr Mahrang was initially arrested on March 22 last year and detained under the Balochistan Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) for 30 days.
This detention was successively extended for two further periods of 30 days each. Before the expiry of the third detention order, she was taken into custody in connection with another FIR.
In the present case, she was formally arrested on August 21, 2025, nearly six months after the registration of the FIR, despite already being in continuous state custody.
On June 12 last year, Dr Mahrang had moved an appeal challenging her detention under the Maintenance of Public Order and the BHC’s May 22 decision to uphold the same.
LAHORE: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Saturday forecast hot and dry weather across most districts of Punjab on Sunday and warned that temperatures might remain above normal, particularly in the central and southern plains.
According to the latest weather outlook, a shallow westerly wave that previously affected upper parts of the country has weakened, leaving little chance of rain. As a result, dry and humid conditions are expected to dominate across the province.
The PMD said that unlike Saturday — when isolated areas such as Kashmir, Murree and the Galliyat experienced partly cloudy weather with chances of light rain — Sunday will see no significant rainfall even in these upper areas. This shift indicates a further increase in heat intensity.
In plains, especially across central and southern Punjab, daytime temperatures are expected to remain 3 to 5 degrees Celsius above normal, adding to the discomfort citizens already facing due to rising heat levels.
Recent weather data highlights the intensity of the temperature, with Rahim Yar Khan recording the highest temperature in Punjab at 41.5 degrees Celsius, while Murree remained comparatively cool with a minimum temperature of 12.0 degrees Celsius. In Kashmir, Garhi Dupatta recorded a high of 35.0 degrees Celsius, while Rawalakot saw the lowest temperature at 10.6 degrees Celsius.
LAHORE: Punjab will export livestock and meat as the provincial government on Saturday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with seven institutions, including a Chinese company, for the purpose.
A video link meeting in this regard was presided over by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. Under the agreement one million livestock will be exported.
The meeting was informed that China’s Global Meat Company would install a boiler unit in collaboration with the government-owned Punjab Agriculture and Meat Company in the province.
“The boiler unit will prepare boiled meat on a large scale for export. Meat companies will import the meat of 300,000 animals ready for export. A target is set for fattening 300,000 buffaloes and cows, and 300,000 sheep and goats. Some 100,000 goats and sheep will be raised for export.”
“The state-of-the-art veterinary hospitals will be established in every tehsil of the province. Four mobile veterinary dispensaries will operate in each tehsil to provide door-to-door animal treatment.”
The CM doubled the quota of free livestock for rural women.
Mechanisation of the livestock farming sector would be introduced in Punjab for the first time.
“The government will provide up to 60pc subsidy on livestock machinery. Some 9,255 animals will be distributed to widowed and divorced women in 12 districts of south Punjab. Two million animals will be tagged to meet export targets.”
• Iranian foreign minister arrives in capital late on Friday, set to visit Oman, Russia next • Will hold meetings with political, military leadership; expected to convey Tehran’s response to US messages • White House says Kushner, Witkoff set to travel to Pakistan; Vance ‘on standby’
ISLAMABAD: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad late on Friday — carrying Tehran’s formal response to proposals conveyed earlier by the US through Pakistan — as renewed diplomatic activity gathered pace and US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner prepared to travel to Islamabad.
Even so, prospects for direct engagement between the two sides remain uncertain.
The Iranian foreign minister was received by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, according to a Foreign Office statement issued late on Friday night, indicating the importance the Pakistani side attaches to the visit.
“During the visit, the Iranian foreign minister will hold meetings with Pakistan’s senior leadership to discuss the latest regional developments as well as ongoing efforts for regional peace and stability,” the statement said.
The visit comes at a delicate moment in the US-Iran standoff, with a fragile, indefinitely extended ceasefire holding on paper, while core disputes over the naval blockade, nuclear restrictions and sequencing of concessions remain unresolved.
“Purpose of my visits is to closely coordinate with our partners on bilateral matters and consult on regional developments. Our neighbors are our priority,” Araghchi said in a post on X before departing Tehran for a three-country tour, that also includes stops in Oman and Russia.
Pakistani officials said the Iranian minister’s trip was primarily aimed at conveying Tehran’s considered response after internal consultations.
The proposals had been handed over last week by Field Marshal Munir during his visit to Tehran, where he had carried messages from Washington as part of Islamabad’s mediation effort.
Diplomatic contacts intensified ahead of the visit. Abbas Araghchi held separate telephone conversations with Dar and Field Marshal Munir, focusing on the ceasefire and the diplomatic track. According to the Foreign Office, Dar “underscored the importance of sustained dialogue and engagement to address outstanding issues.”
It was after these exchanges that Pakistani government sources indicated that Araghchi was travelling to Islamabad and that there was a possibility of a second round of talks in Islamabad. The officials emphasized that logistical preparations were quietly under way and a US advance team was already present.
However, signals from Tehran remained cautious. An Iranian official, speaking to Dawn on background, said negotiations with US would remain on hold unless Iran’s conditions were met, particularly regarding lifting of the US naval blockade, which Tehran says is a precondition for a meaningful dialogue.
Though Moscow came into spot light with Araghchi announcing that Russia was part of his regional tour, Dar too during the day spoke to his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.
The Foreign Office, in a statement on the conversation, said “FM Lavrov appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role in facilitating dialogue between Iran and the United States.”
Dar, according to the statement, “underscored Pakistan’s resolve to continue contributing to efforts aimed at promoting dialogue and diplomacy to resolve all issues.”
Later in the evening, the White House confirmed that Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would travel to Islamabad to “engage in talks” facilitated by Pakistan.
“The Iranians reached out … asked for this in person conversation, so the president is dispatching Steve and Jared to hear what he has to say,” spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said.
US officials, however, indicated that Vice President JD Vance would not immediately join the delegation, citing the absence of his Iranian counterpart, parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
Vance, they said, remains on standby and could travel if negotiations show progress, while members of his team are expected to be present in Islamabad.
Despite these parallel movements, there is little clarity on whether direct face-to-face talks will take place. Iranian officials have consistently maintained that engagement under pressure, particularly amid the ongoing maritime blockade and recent vessel interdictions, is not acceptable.
During the day, US media suggested that lead Iranian negotiator Bagher Ghalibaf had quit after differences with the leadership on the negotiations strategy.
But hours later, Iranian parliament’s communications section denied the claim saying Ghalibaf had not resigned and that he did not travel to Pakistan because negotiations with US had not been scheduled as yet.
The current phase follows the first round of direct talks held in Islamabad on April 11 and 12, which ended after more than 20 hours without agreement but kept the diplomatic channel open.
Since then, exchanges have continued indirectly through Pakistan, with both sides calibrating positions while avoiding a formal breakdown.
The ceasefire, originally brokered around April 7 and 8, has been extended without a defined timeline, creating space for diplomacy but also prolonging uncertainty. Officials in Islamabad described the situation as fluid, with mediation efforts focused on bridging the sequencing gap between US demands and Iranian preconditions.
KARACHI: An official of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) was allegedly shot at and wounded by the son of a former senior police officer in Clifton on Thursday, officials said.
South-DIG Syed Asad Raza said that FBR inspector Shah Mir Lashari was shot at and injured in a firing incident carried out by Agha Sher, son of former SSP Agha Asghar, after a road accident in Clifton late Wednesday night.
The suspect and his associate also assaulted the injured officer and his brother.
The wounded officer was shifted to the Ziauddin Hospital, Clifton, for treatment.
Clifton police have registered an FIR against Agha Sher and his gunman on the complaint of the wounded officer’s brother, Shahzeb Khan, under Sections 324, 337-A(i) and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
According to the contents of the FIR, the complainant said that he was a landlord by profession and lived in Clifton, Block-1. He and his brother Shah Mir Lashari were travelling in an SUV. When they reached opposite the Islamic Chamber in Block-9, Clifton at around 1:45am, their vehicle collided with another SUV with the number plate SPD-970.
Consequently, two people came out of the other vehicle and the complainant and his brother also came out of their vehicle. Without any provocation, the suspects resorted to firing with intent to kill them, resulting in three bullet wounds to the complainant’s elder brother on the shoulder, leg and abdomen, it stated.
The FIR added that the suspects also beat the brothers. Both wounded brothers were admitted to the hospital for treatment.
Later, the complainant said he came to know that Agha Sher and his gunman had attacked them, and he wanted legal proceedings against them.
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