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• Opening day dominated by political speeches in NA
• Achakzai says freezing funds will hit provinces’ health, social sectors
• PM defends govt’s approach, highlights Balochistan projects
• Supports border fencing for national security; renews offer for talks with opposition
• MQM calls for strong local govt system, approval of 28th Amendment

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Saturday formally began a general debate on the federal budget for the next financial year, with lawmakers delivering lengthy speeches and mostly raising political and local issues rather than discussing the budgetary proposals presented by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb amid noisy opposition protest on Friday.

The highlight of the opening day of the budget debate was a more than hour-long speech by Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai and an immediate response from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who attended the sitting for a significant time.

In his speech, Mr Achakzai criticised the government’s decision to freeze development allocations for the provinces, contending that it would hit their health and social sectors. The opposition leader began his speech by dwelling on regional history, starting from 1860, and linking it with the prevailing law and order situation and lack of consensus among political parties in the country.

Mr Achakzai was still on his feet when Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif entered the house amid desk-thumping by treasury members.

The premier carefully listened to the opposition leader’s speech and immediately took the floor for a response, while affirming the government’s commitment to contributing to the development of all provinces. He said everyone could have a political viewpoint and a different vision, but “we are here, if Pakistan exists”.

“There is no difference of opinion on this,” PM Shehbaz said, while referring to Mr Achakzai’s assertion that provinces had the right to their indigenous financial resources.

The prime minister recalled a number of projects being carried out in Balochistan, the home province of the opposition leader.

“You did not demand this nor did someone else. But as the prime minister of Pakistan, it is my responsibility to do my best so that all four provinces are at the same level in the race to progress,” he said.

The premier also highlighted the “share of the people of Balochistan” in the Reko Diq project and the National Finance Commission Award, under which the province’s share had been doubled. He also recalled the distribution of solar panels among farmers in Balochistan, adding: “This is a tale of brotherhood.” He mentioned a road being built from Chaman to Gwadar.

Addressing Mr Achakzai, PM Shehbaz said: “You spoke about the armed forces in your speech.” He recalled that 22 army officers and personnel were martyred in the recent helicopter crash.

“You spoke about the Durand Line. This is your opinion and we respect it. However, I think that it was an absolutely appropriate move if fencing has been put up for the security of Pakistan and its people. If the billions of rupees spent on that 2,000km line save the life of even one child, then I think that the entire money was spent in the right way,” he said in response to Mr Achakzai’s criticism of the fencing of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

The premier also mentioned the surge in terrorism in KP and the sacrifices rendered by soldiers while defending homeland. “If we do not respect our martyrs, what will the world say? Keep the world aside, what will their orphaned children say?” he remarked.

The PM recalled past cordial interactions with Mr Achakzai in the “good old days”, emphasising the importance of unity within a nation. He then reiterated his offer to the opposition for talks and a charter of democracy, but was interrupted by PTI’s Sanaullah Mastikhel, who asked him to take a step forward.

The PM in his usual wit responded: “You are my friend — if you take one step, you will be with us.”

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan took the floor as soon as the prime minister left the house after his speech. Mr Khan criticised the alleged role of the establishment in the country’s political matters.

“Where should we go and tell our grievances? You always speak of consensus among political parties, but your behaviour should display that too and the rights of Imran Khan have to be given while he is in prison,” he said.

In his speech, Dr Farooq Sattar of the MQM stressed the need for the approval of the 28th Amendment, which relates to a strong local government system in the country. He said local bodies were essential for the country’s progress.

The NA will continue the debate on the budget today (Sunday).

Published in Dawn, June 14th, 2026

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The leader of the transnational gang Tren de Aragua has been killed in southern Venezuela as part of a joint operation with the United States, in what a top Pentagon official on Saturday described as a warning to “narco-terrorists” in Latin America.

Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, alias Nino Guerrero, was “neutralised” in southeastern Bolivar state, Venezuela’s Ministry of Communications said in a statement on Friday.

US President Donald Trump said Guerrero was killed in “a swift and lethal kinetic strike” by US forces, in an attack “coordinated closely with our friends in Venezuela”.

“As a result, Tren de Aragua terrorists no longer have safe haven in Venezuela or anywhere else,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform Friday night.

On Saturday, a senior aide to Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth said the killing was meant to serve as a stark warning.

“The death of Nino Guerrero sends a clear message to Latin America. There is no refuge for narco-terrorists in our hemisphere,” Patrick Weaver, Hegseth’s deputy chief of staff, said in a post on X on Saturday morning.

Trump’s social post confirming Guerrero’s killing was accompanied by a 10-second video, showing an overhead view of a building surrounded by greenery before an explosion erupts, sending up a cloud of smoke. No people are clearly visible in the footage.

‘Countless acts of violence’

Founded in Venezuela, Tren de Aragua has been designated a terrorist organisation by the United States and is also active in Colombia, Peru and Chile.

Federal prosecutors in New York filed racketeering, drug and firearms charges against the gang leader in December.

“Guerrero Flores has been the mastermind of Tren de Aragua’s evolution from a Venezuelan prison gang into a transnational terrorist organisation,” US Attorney Jay Clayton said in a statement when the indictment was announced.

Tren de Aragua, under Guerrero Flores’s leadership, has “committed countless acts of violence, extortion, and drug trafficking all over North America, South America, and Europe”, he said.

The US State Department had offered a $5 million reward for information leading to his arrest or conviction.

According to a report by the InSight Crime think tank, Guerrero made Tren de Aragua “what it is today during his incarceration at Tocoron”.

Under his leadership, Tocoron “became one of the country’s most notorious prisons, largely because of the unofficial policy of the Venezuelan government of handing control of certain prisons … over to criminal leaders known as pranes”.

“This freedom and the gang’s criminal revenues allowed for the construction of a zoo, a swimming pool, a playground, a restaurant, and a nightclub inside the prison,” the report added.

The joint operation is the latest sign of improving ties between Caracas and Washington since the capture of former president Nicolas Maduro by US forces in January. The two countries restored diplomatic relations in March, which had been severed in 2019.

The United States is in the process of reactivating its embassy in Caracas.

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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday confirmed that a “final agreed-upon” text of the peace deal between Iran and the United States had been reached.

A day prior, US President Donald Trump said the United States and Iran could sign a peace deal as soon as this weekend, which, if finalised, would be the most significant diplomatic breakthrough yet to end the months-old war.

“We just made a great settlement of the war with Iran,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “The strait will officially open as soon as we sign, which could be soon, very soon, maybe over the weekend in Europe,” he said.

In a post on X, PM Shehbaz said Islamabad was working “closely” with both sides to finalise the next steps of the process.

“Peace has never been this close as it is now.”

The premier also cautioned against an “incessant misinformation campaign being waged by those who want to sabotage the peace deal”.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made similar comments, calling the potential deal the “Islamabad memorandum of understanding”.

“The Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding has never been closer,” he wrote on X, urging the press to refrain from speculating until it is finalised.

“In line with our responsible and transparent approach, all details will be shared with the public in due course.”

Earlier today, Trump rejected reports about the terms of a possible deal with Iran in a post on Truth Social, asserting that they have “nothing to do with the terms that were agreed to, in writing”.

He added that Tehran needed to “get their act together, and fast”.

Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance issued a statement of his own on X to dispel “fake information” revolving around the possible agreement.

“First, the Iranians are not receiving any cash, and no funds are being released for simply signing a deal or attending a meeting,” he wrote on X.

“The deal is structured to ensure that the US and its allies’ concerns are prioritised, and that if the Islamic Republic of Iran meets its obligations, then economic benefits will flow to them and to the entire region.”

He added, “This deal has the potential to remake the region and lead to lasting peace.”

On Wednesday night, it looked like war had resumed, with Washington and Tehran trading strikes after an American Apache attack helicopter went down near the Strait of Hormuz.

The two countries traded strikes again on Thursday, with Trump warning that he had planned “bigger” bombing raids today.

However, he cancelled the strikes following discussions with the highest levels of leadership in Tehran.

“Discussions and final points have been, in both concept and great detail, approved by all parties involved, including the United States, Israel, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Turkiye, Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt, and others,” he wrote on Truth Social.

The war started on February 28 with joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran, with both countries trading attacks until a ceasefire was agreed upon in April, with Pakistan acting as a mediator. A round of talks was held in Islamabad that month, though no deal was reached after 21 hours of negotiations.

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ISLAMABAD: PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Friday welcomed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s statement regarding the formation of a government in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and expressed his gratitude.

The PPP is all set to form a government in the region after it gained 11 out of 24 seats in the GB Legi­slative Assembly, according to the unofficial results (Form-47) of the June 7 elections.

According to Radio Pakistan, the prime minister assured full support from the PML-N to the PPP on government formation.

The prime minister said the PML-N has decided to sit on the opposition benches in the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly, but its elected members will vote in favour of the PPP to form the government.

In a statement, Bilawal said that recognising the PPP’s majority in GB is the continuation of a democratic tradition and added that the party views the premier’s invitation to form the government as a “positive step”.

“As a result of a consensus agreement, the positions of governor and deputy speaker of Gilgit-Baltistan will be allocated to the PML-N,” he was quoted as saying. “The PPP will utilise all its capabilities to serve the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.”

The party chairman specifically thanked the people of GB, saying that by placing their trust in the PPP, they entrusted the responsibility of safeguarding their property rights, employment rights, and constitutional rights to the party.

“The Pakistan Peoples Party will fulfil this responsibility effectively and with dedication,” he concluded.

A day earlier, delegations of the PPP and PML-N met in GB to discuss proposals for forming a government in the region after the recent elections. Key leaders from both parties held detailed consultations on government formation proposals.

In its statement, the PPP described the talks as a “major breakthrough”, saying both parties agreed to present proposals to their respective central leaderships.

It said the discussions also covered political cooperation and various national and regional issues.

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ISLAMABAD: Provincial fiscal operations provided significant support to the federal government in improving the ove­rall fiscal situation in the outgoing year.

“The dedicated efforts at the provincial level for effective resource mobilisation and prudent expenditure management triggered higher growth in provincial revenues relative to expenditures,” the Economic Survey of Pakistan 2025-26 acknowledged.

All four provinces collectively achieved the highest-ever surplus of Rs1,636.1 billion in July-March, compared to Rs1 trillion last year. Provincial revenue incr­eased by 12.9pc during the same period.

Sajid Amin Javed, Deputy Executive Director at SDPI, said the Centre was “fair” to urge provinces to share fiscal responsibility, but should lead by example by broadening its own tax net. He noted that since the federal government cannot constitutionally compel provinces to relinquish their NFC share, it has resorted to a “moral language of shared responsibility.”

He stressed that the fiscal relationship between Centre and provinces must be reciprocal. Given that provincial tax collection remains well below par, he recommended revamping the NFC formula to incentivise revenue generation and reduce the weight of population as a distribution criterion. He further cautioned that the current freeze on NFC funds is a temporary measure, and that a lasting solution must be discussed at the 11th NFC meeting.

A former provincial finance minister said the development budgets and SOE expenses of both the Centre and provinces needed “serious review” to create fiscal space and provide the public relief from over-taxation. He pointed to government departments that had become redundant after the 18th Amendment, but continued to burden federal and provincial exchequers. “Just look at the state’s splurge in excess of 65 per cent over the last three years on salary increases and perks and privileges — well above inflation — and its ‘bloated size’ even after the 18th Amendment, while it was tightening the belt of the rest of the population,” he added. By not addressing the fundamental flaws in the economy, this model will remain unsustainable.

Provincial tax collection rises

The provinces own tax collection and development spending are expected to rise by nearly 26pc and 39.6pc respectively during the outgoing financial year, according to the survey.

The size of provincial budgets is estimated at Rs9,913.6 billion in FY2026, up from revised estimates of Rs8,159.9bn in FY2025 — a growth of 21.5pc. Current expenditures are projected to increase by 14.8pc while development spending is expected to rise sharply by 39.6pc. Total revenues were budgeted at Rs10,127.6 billion, showing growth of 17.9pc.

Under the NFC Award, federal transfers to provinces were budgeted at Rs8,206 billion in FY26. In the first three quarters, these rose 10.7pc to Rs5,630.8 billion. Province-wise shares were: Punjab Rs4,076bn, Sindh Rs2,043.8bn, KP Rs1,342.8bn (inclusive of 1pc for war on terror), and Balochistan Rs743.2bn.

Provincial own revenue receipts grew 28.3pc to Rs1,138.2 billion, with tax collection up 25.8pc to Rs860.7 billion and non-tax revenue up 36.7pc to Rs277.5 billion — supported by higher receipts from hydroelectricity profits, mark-up, and other sources. Federal transfers nonetheless remained the dominant source, contributing around 78pc of total provincial revenues.

Published in Dawn, June 12th, 2026

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Mexico ignited their World Cup party with a dominant 2-0 victory over nine-man South Africa on Thursday as the biggest ever edition of the global footballing showpiece kicked off at Mexico City’s iconic Estadio Azteca.

Julian Quinones scored the opening goal of the tournament, and veteran striker Raul Jimenez added a second as the co-hosts’ bid for qualification from Group A got off to a smooth start.

South Africa, meanwhile, never looked like they were spoiling the opening day fiesta, and finished with only nine men after Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane were sent off.

The Mexican-colored red, green and white smoke from pre-game fireworks had barely dissipated before Quinones fired the hosts into the lead on nine minutes, drilling a low shot through the legs of South Africa’s goalkeeper and captain Ronwen Williams.

A deafening roar cascaded down from the stands of the Azteca, the footballing cathedral that became the only stadium to host games at three different World Cups.

South Africa coach Hugo Broos had warned his players to be ready for the intimidating atmosphere created by a capacity crowd of 80,824 at the imposing concrete arena.

But South Africa’s players looked to have a bad case of stage fright as Mexico’s fans greeted each completed pass with a raucous chorus of “Ole!” in the opening minutes.

Sithole seemed particularly affected, being caught in possession trying to play out of the back for Quinones’ opening goal. His miserable afternoon ended with a 49th-minute dismissal after bundling over Mexico’s Brian Gutierrez when clean through on goal.

Mexico rammed home their advantage in the 67th minute, with a fine counterattack culminating in Roberto Alvarado crossing for Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Jimenez to nod home at the far post.

It got worse for South Africa in the 84th minute when Zwane was dismissed after a VAR review for flinging an arm into the face of Alvarado.

There was still time for late drama when Mexican defender Cesar Montes was shown a red card for a clumsy challenge on Khulisa Mudau on the edge of the penalty area.

The 48-team tournament is also being hosted by the United States and Canada and will feature 104 games, culminating in the final in New Jersey on July 19.

Shakira and Burna Boy warm up spectators at opening ceremony

Colombian pop icon Shakira and Nigerian singer Burna Boy had the spectators out of their seats in the opening ceremony for the World Cup ahead of the opening clash.

Dancers twirled around a giant model of the World Cup trophy while fireworks went off in the historic stadium, which hosted the 1970 and 1986 World Cup finals and has been renovated for this year’s tournament.

In the highlight of the ceremony, Shakira and Burna Boy performed ‘Dai Dai’, the official song of the tournament, bringing roars from the crowd.

J Balvin and Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli were among the other performers before kickoff as the noise levels ramped up.

“It’s already a party in Mexico,” Ingrid Orozco, a 40-year-old supporter, told AFP.

“It’s amazing,” said Gustavo Ramrez, 19.

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Hours before the World Cup kickoff, the boost to travel and tourism expected from this year’s biggest sporting event has yet to materialise.

For years, the tournament was expected to deliver a windfall for America’s travel industry, now grappling with declining international visitors amid what rights groups describe as a climate of fear.

The swarms of fans that hotels had counted on have yet to arrive, forcing many to cut rates. Flight bookings have slumped as ticket prices have skyrocketed. Expensive match tickets have further stymied demand, and industry analysts say excitement has been muted compared with past World Cups.

The weak start suggests the traditional World Cup travel playbook — typically dependent on international fans willing to travel long distances and spend heavily to follow their teams — is faltering. Instead, the costs, visa hurdles and the logistics of attending matches across 16 host cities in three countries have proved a deterrent.

US travellers, in a country where football is less popular than in Europe, are not filling the gap.

It is “overall a disappointment. There’s no other word that I can say,” said Vijay Dandapani, CEO of the Hotel Association of New York City. The association has cut its forecast for hotel room revenue tied to the World Cup by 60 per cent to roughly $60 million, he said.

The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Last-minute demand yet to materialise

Flight bookings from Europe into most host cities for June and July are down 3.8pc on average year-over-year, according to Cirium, even after Europeans had already pulled back from travel to the US last year. Bookings from Europe into New York, host of the July 19 final, have plunged 15.8pc, Cirium said.

FIFA had projected 1.2 million fans would descend on the city, but Dandapani said the New York hotel association is only expecting half a million.

Dandapani said there has been a small uptick in bookings from UK and Norway fans recently, which he called a “positive sign.”

Hotels are hoping for a last-minute surge after the group stage concludes, despite discouraging early data. Average bookings across host cities are up just 0.5pc from a year earlier, according to analytics firm CoStar. Several New York hotels are discounting hotel rooms, said Dandapani, including the New York Hilton Midtown, the city’s largest hotel, which has slashed rates for the tournament in half to $415 per night, compared to advertised rates in December, he said.

Hilton in April said it was seeing strong bookings, driven by New York. The following month, Marriott said, “There obviously is still a lot left to book given that the exact matchups for the latter half of the competition have not yet been decided.”

Hilton declined to comment, while Marriott did not immediately respond to a comment request.

“Some fans are skipping the World Cup altogether,” said Andy Milne, England superfan and author of the book That World Cup Guy.

“Friends of mine are heading to Ibiza to watch every match on TV for a fraction of the price. Others are going to Vegas. It’ll still cost money, but far less than tickets, travel, hotels and transport to the stadiums.”

Even affluent fans, who have buoyed the performance of US travel companies, are waiting for matchups to crystallise or for their teams to advance before committing to travel, luxury sports travel company Roadtrips said.

High ticket costs, visas deter visitors

Fans from more than half the qualified countries need visas to enter the United States, adding cost and uncertainty for travellers already wary of stricter border enforcement.

The Trump administration denied a Somali referee entry over alleged links to “suspected members of terror organisations.”

FIFA’s ticketing practices have also soured some fans. Organisers introduced record-high base prices and, for the first time, dynamic pricing that raised costs as the tournament neared.

FIFA’s decision to allow uncapped resale pricing inflated costs further and drew regulatory scrutiny. The cheapest ticket in host cities like New York and Miami now approaches $1,000, according to TicketData.

Even if ticket prices halve closer to key matches, last-minute demand may remain muted, as overseas fans still face the cost and complexity of booking travel and securing visas on short notice, said Dana Lattouf, CEO of Tickitto, a UK ticket distributor.

Vacation rentals, which allow groups to split costs, are a rare bright spot.

Airbnb told investors in May that the World Cup was on track to be its largest event ever. Data from short-term rental analytics firm AirDNA shows bookings, particularly for budget and economy rentals, are tracking higher in host cities, including Boston and Los Angeles.

Booked average daily rates for rentals across host cities were $218, while travellers looking now would pay about $335 as of June 8, AirDNA said, as hosts raise prices to capture last-minute demand.

There is way more leisure demand in all these cities because of the World Cup. That is unmistakable, said Jamie Lane, chief economist at AirDNA.

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