Dawn

Arrest warrants were issued for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi after he failed to appear in court multiple times in a case involving alleged misleading statements and defamation of state institutions. Former senator Ejaz Ahmed Chaudhry petitioned the Supreme Court against the Lahore High Court's refusal to suspend his sentence for alleged involvement in conspiracy meetings linked to violent events.

Balochistan faces escalating violence between security forces and terrorist groups, with a long-standing crisis exacerbated by government reliance on military tactics and neglect of political/social causes. The current phase of unrest traces back to the Musharraf era's 2004 security expansion and the 2005 killing of Akbar Bugti.

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb requested a $10 billion Exchange Stabilisation Support Facility from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to strengthen Pakistan's economy. The US Treasury declined to comment, but diplomatic sources suggested the Trump administration may support the request to bolster economic engagement.

A bipartisan group of US senators introduced the Stop Transnational Repression Act of 2026 to criminalize foreign efforts to intimidate political opponents and activists in the US. The legislation targets growing concerns about transnational repression, including alleged cases involving India and Sikh activists, and expands federal agencies' authority to investigate and prosecute such activities.

A Senate panel in Pakistan questioned the allocation of flood rehabilitation funds in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), noting that Mardan received more road projects than severely affected districts like Upper Dir, Lower Dir, and Chitral. The committee also raised concerns about World Bank 'interference' in a Sindh project and criticized disparities in reconstruction efforts.

France’s parliament approved a bill banning social media access for children under 15, making it the first European country to implement such a restriction. The ban will take effect in two stages, starting with new accounts in September 2024 and existing accounts in January 2027. Exceptions include educational platforms, and no penalties are imposed on children or parents.

The government increased petrol prices by Rs4.93 and diesel by Rs7.15 per litre due to Persian Gulf hostilities, with new prices effective July 22. Daily fuel pricing is now in effect, and the All Pakistan Dealers Association plans to protest the decision.

India's Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) gained attention for student protests against exam leaks and corruption, prompting police crackdowns. Opposition lawmakers, including the Indian National Congress, showed solidarity with injured protesters, potentially opening a political opportunity to attract young voters against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.

Petrol pump owners in Pakistan announced a nationwide strike after failed negotiations with the government over daily fuel pricing. The All Pakistan Petrol Pumps Owners Association (APPPOA) demanded monthly pricing and increased dealer commissions, citing financial challenges and a flawed pricing mechanism favoring oil companies.

The Lahore High Court (LHC) confirmed death sentences for two convicts in a 2020 motorway gang-rape case, ruling the prosecution proved their guilt beyond reasonable doubt using ocular, medical, and forensic evidence. The court rejected appeals by the convicts and the Punjab government, which sought to overturn the mandatory capital punishment.

Andy Burnham's new UK cabinet includes John Healey as finance minister, Ed Miliband as foreign minister, Wes Streeting as defense minister, and Shabana Mahmood as interior minister. The reshuffle removed senior figures associated with the previous leader and promoted politicians who supported Burnham's rise to power.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif launched an AI-based digitisation platform called PMOS to replace paper-based processes in the Prime Minister’s Office. The system aims to modernise governance by tracking directives and implementation through AI, with officials directed to adopt digital workflows immediately.

A Singapore court sentenced Indian tourist Mangroliya Manojkumar Kurjibhai to over two years in jail for attempting to steal a $154,000 diamond by hiding it in his accomplice's mouth. The theft attempt was captured on surveillance, leading to their arrest at the airport. A separate jewellery theft worth millions of euros occurred at the Lalique museum in France.

PML-N launched its election campaign in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) with party leader Nawaz Sharif addressing supporters in Muzaffarabad. He emphasized the need for a motorway along the Jhelum River and the party announced candidates for 37 of AJK's 45 constituencies.

A sessions court in Lahore granted post-arrest bail to podcast host Rehan Tariq in a case involving blasphemy laws and the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act. The court allowed bail with a Rs100,000 surety bond after defense arguments about lack of evidence and constitutional protections were accepted, despite prosecution claims that his podcast questions could provoke religious discord.

Iran’s interior minister, Eskandar Momeni, met with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to revive a collapsed US-Iran ceasefire. The visit coincides with renewed hostilities between the US and Iran, including strikes and blockades, as well as new conflicts involving Yemen’s Houthi rebels and Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Haj and Umrah introduced a one-year multiple-entry Umrah visa allowing up to 90 days of cumulative stay annually. Pilgrims must purchase a service package via the Nusuk platform for each visit, and the visa is inactive during the Haj season. The policy aims to enhance flexibility and digital integration for pilgrims.

The article clarifies that Balochistan's accession to Pakistan in 1948 involved multiple distinct entities (Khanate of Kalat, Makran, Kharan, Lasbela) through separate instruments, with Gwadar later acquired in 1958. It refutes the claim that the entire province acceded as a unified entity, emphasizing its modern constitutional formation under the 1973 Constitution.

Monsoon rains in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) have killed 12 people and injured 18 over three days, with power outages disrupting 148 feeders. The National Disaster Management Authority issued a nationwide flood warning for flash floods, urban flooding, and landslides from July 21 to 24, affecting regions including KP, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Punjab.

The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Election Commission announced elections will be held in three phases from July 27 to August 10 due to unavailability of security forces. The phases include polling in Mirpur division on July 27, Muzaffarabad division and refugee constituencies on August 2, and Poonch division on August 10.