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Teboho Mokoena’s penalty kept South Africa’s dream of reaching the World Cup knockout stages for the first time alive after a 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic in Atlanta on Thursday.

Michal Sadilek’s early opener had the Czechs on course for just their second World Cup win as an independent nation.

But Mokoena’s late spot-kick kept both teams in the hunt for the last 32, although they will almost certainly have to win their final Group A fixture to advance.

Both sides move onto one point, two behind co-hosts Mexico and South Korea, who face off later on Thursday.

South Africa next face South Korea, while the Czech Republic take on the daunting task of playing Mexico in the Estadio Azteca.

Both sides started with disappointing performances and defeats on the World Cup’s opening day, but the Czechs quickly set about making amends.

Patrik Schick is the biggest name in a Czech side lacking the star quality of previous generations but the Bayer Leverkusen forward missed a glorious chance inside the first minute when he planted a header wide.

Miroslav Koubek’s men only had to wait another five minutes to take the lead.

Adam Hlozek’s cross was classily cushioned by Alexandr Sojka into the path of Sadilek, who calmly stroked the ball past Ronwen Williams.

Now in their fourth attempt, South Africa have never progressed beyond the group stage at the World Cup.

Hugo Broos has overseen an upturn in Bafana Bafana’s fortunes since taking charge five years ago.

The 2010 hosts had not qualified for the World Cup since 2002 but finished third at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Their return to the global stage has exposed a lack of quality, though, particularly in forward areas.

The Czechs were left to rue not making more of their chances to kill the game off early in the second half.

Vladimir Darida took too long to get his shot off with a big chance before Lukas Cerv’s long-range effort was tipped over by Williams.

There were thousands of empty seats on show at the futuristic home of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, but those that were in attendance loudly booed the mid-half hydration breaks in an enclosed and air-conditioned stadium.

The majority of the crowd were backing South Africa and finally had something to cheer seven minutes from time.

Thapelo Maseko’s shot hit the arm of the unfortunate Pavel Sulc and referee Tori Penso, part of an all-female officiating team, pointed to the spot.

Mokoena confidently drilled home the spot-kick for his nation’s first World Cup goal in 16 years.

They came close to a second five minutes later when Matej Kovar saved from Relebohile Mofokeng.

But both sides had to settle for a point that could yet prove vital come the end of Wednesday’s final Group A games.

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Admitting the Crime Control Department’s (CCD) mistake in the shooting of a young girl in Chakwal earlier this month, the Punjab police and the CCD said on Thursday that the incident would neither be defended nor covered up under “any circumstances”.

They also described the shooting as a case of “criminal negligence”, saying that the CCD official’s lack of training had contributed to his inability to assess the situation correctly.

A nine-year-old girl, Hania, was killed and her father and brother were injured last week after officials of the CCD opened fire on their car in the Chakwal city area, mistaking it for that of robbers.

Addressing a press conference on the incident on Thursday, Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abdul Karim described the incident as “deeply tragic”.

He said it would be thoroughly investigated and that the negligence behind the CCD’s actions would be placed on record to ensure those responsible were brought before a court of law.

Karim added that no institution could earn public trust without acknowledging its mistakes and assured that the investigation would proceed independently.

Meanwhile, Punjab CCD Additional Inspector General (AIG) Sohail Zafar Chattha said that the family’s trust was of utmost importance to the police.

He said public confidence in the CCD was also important because society had high expectations of the department and often believed it did not make mistakes. The official added that the tragic incident had caused embarrassment to both the CCD and the Punjab police.

“Now, it is the right time to learn from this criminal negligence and rectify the blunders of the individuals in CCD to prevent such incidents in the future,” Chattha said.

Both the IGP and the AIG noted that, due to a lack of training, the CCD official involved had failed to assess the situation correctly and had made a “huge blunder”, emphasising that training and capacity-building within the department needed to be improved.

They said a plan had been outlined to address shortcomings and gaps in training to prevent similar incidents in the future.

“We will not defend this criminal negligence in any circumstances,” he said, adding that the CCD stood with the family of the victim.

He made it clear that the cop nominated under murder charges would not get sympathy from the police.

In response to a question, Chattha added that the challan of the arrested personnel would be completed within a week and presented before the court for further legal proceedings.

The press conference was held after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday demanded a “transparent” investigation into the killing of Hania.

Following public outcry, the Australian premier flagged the importance of a detailed inquiry into the incident, saying, “These circumstances do need to be examined.”

He added that the facts must be examined in a transparent way, so that everyone could know “the family is more important than anything”.

“My heart goes out to the family and friends of the slain girl,” the Albanese said, adding that he would express solidarity with the Pakistani-Australian community.

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KARACHI: E-commerce platform Daraz Pakistan has officially launched the Apple Flagship Store on DarazMall in partnership with GNext, Apple’s authorised distributor in Pakistan, according to a press release issued by Daraz on Thursday.

A formal signing ceremony was held at the Daraz Head Office in Karachi, bringing together senior representatives from the e-commerce platform and GNext to mark the launch.

According to the press release, the launch gives customers a “trusted and value-driven destination” to shop for original Apple products online.

The statement highlighted that the partnership combined “Daraz’ e-commerce platform, nationwide reach and customer service infrastructure with GNext’s authorised Apple distribution network, product authenticity assurance and after-sales support”.

It added that the flagship store launch was supported by competitive pricing, transparent offers, reliable fulfilment and official distributor-backed warranty support.

Daraz said that the launch was designed to address key customer concerns in the high-value consumer electronics category, including “authenticity, pricing consistency, warranty coverage and after-sales reliability”.

As part of the launch, Daraz is offering a free 20-watt charger as a bundle deal on eligible purchases, along with free shipping and next-day delivery for the iPhone 17 series.

“Customers will also be able to benefit from an extended warranty package that includes one year of Apple warranty and an additional one year of distributor-backed warranty through GNext, providing added peace of mind on Apple device purchases,” the statement added.

It will also offer a best price guarantee, with up to a 14 per cent discount on eligible products, along with 0pc EMI plans that allow customers to purchase products via instalments.

The e-commerce platform highlighted that the launch reflected its commitment to building a trusted online marketplace “where customers can shop leading global brands with confidence”.

It noted that the store offered a more “seamless and reliable” way for Pakistani customers to purchase Apple devices online.

The store is now live on DarazMall, the statement said, inviting customers to visit the Daraz app or website to explore Apple’s available products and launch offers.

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The United States on Wednesday read out the text of the interim US-Iran agreement to halt the war in Iran and open the Strait of Hormuz, according to a Reuters report.

The agreement, read to reporters by a senior US official, outlines in 14 points a high-level understanding that defers many of the most difficult issues, such as how to wind down Iran’s nuclear program, until a final deal is reached. It paves the way for a broader 60-day negotiation period due to begin in Switzerland on Friday.

Here is the full document, titled “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran”, as it was read out:

1. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran and their allies in the current war, by signing this MOU (Memorandum of Understanding), declare the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon, and undertake from now on not to initiate any war or any military operation against each other, and to refrain from the threat or use of force against each other, and ensuring the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Lebanon. The final deal will confirm the permanent termination of the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon, and other provisions of this paragraph.

2. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran undertake to respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to refrain from interfering in each other’s internal affairs.

3. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran commit to negotiating and achieving the final deal in maximum 60 days extendable with mutual consent.

4. Immediately upon the signing of this MOU, the United States of America will begin the removal of its naval blockade and any disturbances or impediments against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and will fully end the naval blockade within 30 days. During this period, the traffic of vessels will be in proportion to the numbers of pre-war traffic being restored by the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States of America further undertakes to remove its forces from the proximity of the Islamic Republic of Iran within 30 days after the final deal.

5. Upon the signing of this MOU, the Islamic Republic of Iran will make arrangements using its best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels with no charge for 60 days only from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman and vice versa. The traffic of commercial vessels will immediately start and, considering the need for removing the technical and military obstacles and de-mining by the Islamic Republic of Iran, will be instated within 30 days. The Islamic Republic of Iran will conduct dialog with the Sultanate of Oman to define the future administration and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz, in discussion with other Persian Gulf littoral states in line with the applicable international law and the sovereign rights of coastal states of the Strait of Hormuz.

6. The United States of America undertakes with regional partners to develop a definitive, mutually agreed plan with at least USD 300 billion for the reconstruction and economic development of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The mechanism for the implementation of this plan will be finalized as part of final deal within 60 days. All required licenses, waivers, and permissions needed for the relevant financial transactions will be granted by the United States of America.

7. The United States of America undertakes to terminate all types of sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the United Nations Security Council resolutions, i.e. IAEA Board of Governors resolutions, and all unilateral U.S. sanctions, primary and secondary, in an agreed upon schedule as part of the final deal. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America acknowledge the critical importance of the sanctions termination issue above mentioned and express their intentions to immediately address these issues in the negotiations in order to achieve mutual agreement on them.

8. The Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirms that it shall not procure or develop nuclear weapons. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran have agreed to resolve the disposition of stockpiled enriched material pursuant to a mechanism that will be mutually agreed upon, in accordance with the schedule mentioned in paragraph seven with the minimum methodology to be down blending on site under the supervision of the IAEA. The two parties also agreed to discuss the issue of enrichment and other mutually agreed matters related to the Islamic Republic of Iran’s nuclear needs, based on a satisfactory framework being agreed upon in the final deal. The final deal will confirm the provisions of this paragraph. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran acknowledge the critical importance of the nuclear issues above mentioned and express their intention to immediately address these issues in the negotiations in order to achieve mutual agreement on them.

9. Pending the final deal, the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran agree to maintain the status quo. The Islamic Republic of Iran will maintain the current status quo of its nuclear program and the United States of America will not impose any new sanctions and will not deploy additional forces in the region.

10. The United States of America undertakes that immediately upon the signing of this MOU and until the termination of sanctions, U.S. Department of Treasury will issue waivers for the export of Iranian crude oil, petroleum products, and derivatives, and all associated services, including banking transactions, insurances, transportation, etc.

11. The United States of America undertakes to make fully available for use the frozen or restricted funds and assets of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Upon the implementation of this MOU, the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran will mutually agree on the procedures related to the release of these funds during the negotiation. Such funds, whether retained in the original account or transferred, shall be made fully usable for payment to any ultimate beneficiary designated by the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States of America undertakes to issue all necessary licenses and authorizations accordingly.

12. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran agree that an executive mechanism will be established to monitor the successful implementation of this MOU and the future compliance of the final deal.

13. After signing this MOU, and subject to the beginning of the implementation of paragraphs 1,4,5,10 and 11 of this MOU, and the continuing implementation of these measures, the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran will start negotiations regarding the final deal exclusively on the other paragraphs.

14. The final deal will be endorsed by a binding UNSC resolution.

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The vital Strait of Hormuz shipping lane is expected to reopen on Friday after nearly four months, following the signing of a US-Iran agreement to end the Middle East war.

AFP examines how the reopening could work and why a return to normal is likely to take time.

Are ships ready?

Once formal approval is given to reopen, stranded ships could theoretically begin to move through the strait almost immediately.

Crews that have been idle for months will most likely have “performed regular onboard drills and maintained the ships’ machinery, technical installations and equipment”, Jakob Larsen, head of security at shipowners’ association Bimco, told AFP.

However, some ships may require underwater hull cleaning to remove barnacles and other marine growth accumulated during the shutdown.

The strait, through which roughly 20 per cent of the world’s crude oil supply normally transits, was effectively closed by Iran after it came under fire from the United States and Israel.

About 500 ships and 20,000 seafarers have been stranded in Gulf waters, according to the International Chamber of Shipping, a maritime industry group.

Who can pass?

Operators are expected to proceed cautiously and insurers may even require naval escorts, according to Hugo Rousse of maritime tracking group AXSMarine.

The first to cross the strait could be “shipowners who operate their own fleet” and those “not listed on a stock exchange”, he told AFP.

“Given the elevated earnings still prevalent in the tanker sector, higher war risk insurance is unlikely to be an obstacle,” said Tim Smith, a director at maritime industry analysis firm MSI.

Tankers linked to Kuwait, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are likely to be among the first to resume transits, said Arne Lohmann Rasmussen, an analyst at Global Risk Management.

Must mines be cleared first?

Iran has designated the central area of the strait as a mine danger zone.

Until mines are cleared, “ships can use the coastal traffic zones which are mine-free but which are not well-suited to accommodate normal volumes of maritime traffic,” Larsen said.

France and Britain have been working since March to assemble a coalition to remove mines and help restore shipping flows.

The US has also requested “the deployment of mine-clearing capabilities”, a European source said on Tuesday, adding that French and German vessels had been mobilised for that purpose.

How long before a return to normal?

Reopening the waterway will only be a first step.

Crew changes are needed, disrupted supply chains restarted and strategic energy reserves replenished.

Some tankers could take more than one month to reach Europe after the route reopens, according to Argus Media analysts.

They estimated that it could take four to six months before crude export volumes return to their prewar levels.

“Not everything will go back to normal with the snap of a finger,” Rousse said.

He said some buyers have found alternative suppliers, including the US and Nigeria, and have established new shipping routes and commercial contracts.

Will ships have to pay?

US Vice President JD Vance told CNBC on Monday that there was an understanding with Iran that the strait would reopen “in a toll-free way for the long term”.

Iran’s foreign ministry, however, said the deal would allow it to charge maritime service fees rather than imposing “tolls”. Such fees would put shipping companies in a bind, however, as it could mean transferring funds indirectly to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.

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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has extended its airspace ban on Indian civilian and military aircraft for another month, until July 24, 2026, according to a Notice to Airmen (Notam) issued by the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) on Wednesday.

The previous extension of the airspace ban was set to expire on June 24.

“Pakistan has extended the air ban on Indian-registered aircraft till the morning of July 24,” the PAA Notam said.

“The ban on Indian aircraft (both civil and military) will remain in effect from 5:50pm on June 16 to 4:59am on July 24,” the Notam added.

The country’s airspace is divided into two flight information regions (FIRs) — Karachi and Lahore, according to a Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) document from 2022. The Notam applies to both the Karachi (OPKR) and Lahore (OPLR) FIRs.

India and Pakistan closed their airspaces to each other’s airlines since late April 2025, when tensions between them escalated in the wake of a deadly attack in Indian-occupied Kashmir’s Pahalgam.

On April 24, Pakistan’s top brass had announced a series of measures, including the closure of its airspace to all India-owned or Indian-operated airlines with immediate effect, as it retaliated against New Delhi’s slew of aggressive measures against the country.

Since then, Pakistan has extended the ban several times.

New Delhi, without evidence, had alleged that Islamabad backed the attack; however, Pakistan had strongly denied any involvement and offered a neutral probe. The nuclear powers had the fiercest air battle in May, in which Pakistan said it downed seven Indian fighter jets.

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• Party claims budget differs from figures shared during pre-budget consultations
• Questions provinces’ capacity to meet IMF-linked revenue targets
• Another round of talks expected soon

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Tuesday once again conveyed his concerns over the federal budget to Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, indicating that he would not speak during the ongoing budget debate in the National Assembly unless all of the party’s reservations were addressed.

“Bilawal sahib has decided that he will not deliver his speech unless all promises made by the government with the PPP regarding the budget are fulfilled,” a source close to the PPP chairman told Dawn after the meeting.

In the huddle with Dar held at Parliament House, Mr Bhutto-Zardari was accompanied by senior PPP leaders, including Sherry Rehman, Naveed Qamar, Raja Pervez Ashraf and Ijaz Jakhrani.

The source said Bhutto-Zardari appeared upset with the budget, stating that it was different from the document shared with the PPP. In fact, the government has shown us something different from what was presented in the National Assembly,” the source told Dawn. He added that another round of talks between Bhutto-Zardari and Dar was expected to be held soon.

Later, speaking to reporters after the meeting, the PPP leader expressed hope that their concerns would be addressed. “By the grace of Allah Almighty, our reservations will be addressed. We have again discussed the matter with Dar sb,” he said.

Responding to a question regarding the formation of a government in Gilgit-Baltistan after recent elections, Bhutto-Zardari expressed confidence that the PPP would form its government there.

Several rounds of talks had already taken place in recent weeks between the PPP leadership and the deputy prime minister on the budget issue.

Sources said the latest meeting indicated that either the government had not incorporated the PPP’s proposals or that key concerns remained unresolved.

The discussion also covered expenditure priorities, development spending, including the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), and broader economic issues such as fiscal sustainability, public welfare, development initiatives and inclusive growth.

The IMF has reportedly asked the federal government to introduce additional revenue measures worth around Rs430 billion in the upcoming budget, along with a similar amount expected from the provinces.

In this connection, the PPP asked Dar to suggest how provinces could increase their tax revenues. PPP leaders have opposed new taxes and hoped the government would change its approach to taxation to provide relief to the inflation-hit masses.

Another source told Dawn that the PPP team stressed during the meeting that the government should focus on broadening the tax base rather than exerting pressure on the same class.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2026

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