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THE message from Islamabad to Kabul seems to be clear: any act of terrorism inside Pakistan found to be linked to Afghanistan will invite a kinetic cross-border response. After the attack on a Rangers facility in Karachi on Saturday, the state said it had launched strikes at targets both inside Afghanistan and along the border, eliminating at least 29 terrorists, including a militant ‘commander’.

The Karachi attack, in which three security men were martyred, has been linked to the Jamaatul Ahrar group, a banned outfit with ties to the proscribed TTP. This is the first major terrorist attack in Karachi this year, and marks a return to ‘action’ of the hitherto silent JuA. A detained suspect involved in the assault said he came from Jalalabad and prepared for the attack in South Waziristan. The government has reissued an order for the arrest of Afghans without valid visas from July 10, while the Foreign Office has issued a demarche to the Afghan chargé d’affaires over the Rangers attack.

The acts of terrorism, and the state’s response, illustrate the difficult nature of the Afghan conundrum, specifically the Afghan Taliban regime’s reluctance to act firmly against terrorist groups on their soil. Faced with never-ending attacks, Pakistan has no choice but to fight back and hit the terrorists in their lairs. The only way to end this cycle of conflict is for the Afghan Taliban to act maturely and prevent attacks on neighbouring states. Pakistan’s strong responses have brought down the frequency of terrorist attacks, but perpetual conflict is not a long-term solution.

Moreover, the state needs to boost its intelligence-based operations. While earlier attacks were taking place mostly in the tribal and remote parts of KP and Balochistan, the Karachi incident may point to the return of terrorism in urban centres. The state must prepare for this contingency, and prevent violent actors from carrying out their malevolent plans.

There can be no disagreement about the need to unearth foreign terrorist sleeper cells and militant networks active in Pakistan. This argument is strengthened with the reported links of Afghan nationals to recent acts of terrorism. But the approach to ordinary Afghan refugees must remain humane, and there should be no forceful repatriation. These individuals should be sent back to their homeland with dignity, as per mutually acceptable frameworks. They should not be punished due to the mistakes of their rulers.

Ultimately, the Afghan Taliban must make a choice: either they can decide to address Pakistan’s legitimate concerns and rein in their terrorist friends. Or they can continue on the current path, remain isolated, and be prepared to face the consequences for their support to terrorist groups hell-bent on harming Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, June 30th, 2026

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Substitute Gabriel Martinelli scored deep in injury time as Brazil beat a stubborn Japan 2-1 on Monday to roll into the World Cup last 16.

Arsenal winger Martinelli struck in the 95th minute in Houston to break Japanese hearts in the most dramatic fashion.

The five-time champions will face either the Ivory Coast or Norway in New Jersey on Sunday after edging a captivating knockout encounter.

Japan midfielder Kaishu Sano scored a classy solo goal after 29 minutes following a Brazil mistake to stun the huge numbers of fans decked out in yellow.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men hit back 11 minutes after half-time with a header from veteran Casemiro as Brazil dominated the second period.

Then up popped Martinelli right at the death to settle it and send the Brazil fans wild.

History was against Japan: they had never won a knockout game at the World Cup while Brazil were record five-time champions.

But this is not a vintage Brazil side, even with Ancelotti at the helm, while Japan have been talked of as dark horses.

With the Brazil fans’ drums providing a constant rhythmic backdrop, Ancelotti’s side were on top early on in front of a crowd of 68,777.

Images of Neymar on the bench popped up on the big screens, the noise from the Brazil fans going up another notch.

Defensive midfielder Sano was booked for crunching in on Vinicius Junior, then Brazilian attacker Matheus Cunha forced goalkeeper Zion Suzuki to turn the ball wide.

Japan, who beat Brazil 3-2 in October in a home friendly for their first victory over the South Americans, then enjoyed a spell in the ascendancy.

Just before the half-hour mark Hajime Moriyasu’s team took the lead, and it stemmed from an error by Danilo as he gave the ball away with a sloppy pass.

Sano, one of four changes from Japan’s 1-1 draw with Sweden at the end of the group phase, picked the ball up in the centre circle and got away from the 34-year-old Casemiro – who was on a booking – with ease.

Sano, who plays for Mainz in Germany, drove upfield before sweeping the ball past goalkeeper Alisson. It was his first goal for his country.
Now the Brazil supporters were edgy, groaning when a move broke down or a pass went backwards.

Brazil, whose last World Cup triumph was in 2002, looked unconvincing at the back and ineffective in attack.

Ancelotti was forced into a change at the break, an emotional Lucas Paqueta limping off in distress with the attacking midfielder replaced by 19-year-old striker Endrick.

Japan, who thrashed Tunisia and held the Netherlands and Sweden to reach the last 32, had Brazil where they wanted them.

Brazil ramped up the pressure to start the second half and Japan defender Takehiro Tomiyasu twice kept the ball off the line, not that he knew much about it.

Brazil were soon level, Arsenal defender Gabriel sending in an inviting cross for midfielder Casemiro to head in unmarked at the back post.

The danger man Vinicius, well stifled up until then, turned the Japan defence inside out and stabbed the ball towards Suzuki, who directed it onto the post.

It was all Brazil as they pushed for a late winner, with Vinicius – who scored four times in the group stage – increasingly in the thick of it.
Then came Martinelli’s late intervention.

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ISLAMABAD: Jamaat-i-Islami Pakistan (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Monday said that meaningful negotiations were the only solution to the ongoing situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), urging the government to avoid the use of force and immediately engage with the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC).

On June 5, the JAAC was declared a proscribed organisation by the regional government and placed under the First Schedule of the region’s anti-terrorism act (ATA).

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Rehman said JI had accepted the responsibility of mediation and was playing its role in restoring trust between the government and the committee to prevent “bloodshed and unrest”.

JI AJK Emir Dr Mushtaq Khan, former AJK emir Dr Khalid Mahmood, JI Deputy Secretary General Syed Farasat Shah and Islamabad Emir Nasrullah Randhawa were also present on the occasion.

“JAAC has expressed complete confidence in Jamaat-i-Islami and postponed its long march, sending a positive message,” he said.

He urged the government to also act with seriousness and begin negotiations to resolve the legitimate demands of the people.

“The AJK situation should not be allowed to reach a point where India could exploit it for propaganda against Pakistan and the Kashmir cause,” the JI emir said.

“Jamaat-i-Islami’s mediation with the JAAC is within the constitutional and national framework of Pakistan and the Kashmir issue. As long as this framework remains intact, every possible effort will be made to resolve the matter,” he added.

Rejecting the impression that the situation had reached a “point of no return,” Rehman said the door for negotiations was still open.

“We do not agree with the government’s position that the situation has gone beyond control. Dialogue is still possible, and Jamaat-e-Islami is ready to play its role.”

He said JI had been trying from the very beginning to ensure a peaceful resolution of the AJK issue. Following the acceptance of its mediation offer, the party leadership decided to accelerate reconciliation efforts.

He added that JI leaders in AJK had remained in contact with different stakeholders.

“Dr Mahmood held several meetings with JAAC representatives, during which the committee expressed confidence in Jamaat-i-Islami’s efforts and also shared details of its demands,” he said.

Rehman said violence, bloodshed and the use of state force could not be supported under any circumstances. “No message should go out from AJK that benefits Pakistan’s enemies,” he said.

He said India was already committing serious human rights violations in occupied Kashmir through killings, use of pellet guns and imprisonment of the Kashmiri leadership.

“Pakistan should not make any mistake on the internal front that gives the enemy a diplomatic advantage,” JI leader added.

Clarifying JI’s position, Rehman said the party was not engaged in political point-scoring. “Our priority is Pakistan, Kashmir and the Kashmir cause.”

The JI chief said public confidence in AJK’s political leadership had weakened due to repeated changes in political loyalties, power politics and vested interests, which had harmed the democratic process and contributed to public protests.

He cautioned against elements trying to exploit the situation and appealed to AJK youth not to become part of any anti-Pakistan narrative. “Pakistan is the country of Kashmiris, and its educational institutions, offices and resources are open to them. They should avoid falling into the hands of the enemy,” he said.

The JI emir also urged the federal government, relevant institutions and authorities to avoid any steps that could create hatred, unrest or instability. He also demanded that the Punjab and federal governments ensure an uninterrupted supply of essential goods to AJK, saying restrictions would only increase difficulties for ordinary citizens.

Regarding his expected meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Rehman said he wanted to meet the premier and, if contacted by the government, JI would not seek anything for itself.

“Instead, it will present national issues, including a peaceful solution to the Kashmir situation, resolution of public grievances, reduction in petroleum levy, lower electricity and gas prices, action against IPPs, employment and education opportunities for youth, and relief from IMF-related pressures.”

On AJK elections, he said they should be held on time. However, if negotiations succeeded and normalcy returned, the elections would take place in a more peaceful and acceptable environment; otherwise, questions could be raised over their outcome.

He said the AJK government must also play its role in the negotiation process. Although public confidence in it had been affected, it remained the constitutional government, and any final agreement would involve it along with the federal government.

Responding to questions about strong statements by some JAAC leaders, Rehman said JI had made it clear that any anti-Pakistan or unacceptable narrative would not be tolerated.

He added that Dr Mahmood had conveyed the same message to the JAAC leadership, and a positive change had been witnessed in their tone and position.

The JI emir also criticised the Kashmir Committee, saying it had failed in the past and present to play an effective role in accordance with the requirements of the Kashmir issue. However, he welcomed any effort by the committee to consult JI.

Calling for broader democratic reforms, he stressed the need for “proportional representation, an independent election commission and a modern electoral system in both Pakistan and AJK to restore public trust in democracy”.

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The Ministry of Interior on Sunday issued a directive to immediately arrest any Afghan national “found residing in Pakistan without a valid visa” from July 10, 2026.

In a notification addressing the chief secretaries of all provinces, as well as those of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and the chief commissioner of Islamabad Capital Territory, the ministry said that the directive referred to the decisions taken during a review meeting on the Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan (IFRP) on June 1, 2026.

It said that during the meeting, “all provincial governments, special area governments and the ICT Administration were directed to expedite the repatriation/deportation of Afghan nationals, including visa overstay cases, and to ensure strict implementation of the IFRP”.

“With effect from July 10, 2026, any Afghan national found residing in Pakistan without a valid visa shall be arrested immediately,” the notification said.

It added that the necessary directions might, therefore, be issued to all deputy commissioners, district administrations, police and other law enforcement agencies concerned to ensure “uniform and effective implementation” of these directions.

The directive also requested that a report detailing the “number of Afghan nationals found without valid visas, the action taken against them, and their present status, may kindly be furnished to this ministry on a daily basis, commencing July 11, 2026”.

“The matter may be accorded top priority and compliance ensured in letter and spirit,” the notification said.

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LAHORE: Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan was surprised on Sunday when an opposition member informed him that the Punjab Control of Habitual Offenders and Anti-Social Behaviour Bill, 2026 had been approved by the PA Standing Committee on Law.

“It has been laid?” he questioned when PTI’s Rana Aftab Ahmad Khan clarified that the standing committee had given its nod to the legislation.

The bill proposes a regime in which the executive can freeze a person’s bank account, seize their property, remove their online presence, confiscate their phone, and place them under electronic surveillance, all on the basis of an intelligence committee’s assessment of their conduct.

MPA Rana initiated the conversation on the legislation in the House, which had met to discuss the province’s supplementary budget. He said the bill was against human rights and warned that if enacted, it would affect the coming generations.

The ruling PML-N could also become a victim of it as it could not remain in power for forever, he said.

For his part, the speaker said he was not aware that the bill had been introduced in the House, expressing annoyance with the assembly secretariat and warning of strict action.

The bill was introduced in the House on June 8.

Dawn reached out to the speaker for further clarity on how the bill was introduced in the House without his knowledge, but there was no immediate response.

During the PA session, the speaker also said, “It’s not possible to introduce a law reminiscent of the colonial era … There could be some misunderstanding on this. Let me see.”

He further remarked, “Will the DC (deputy commissioner) and DPO (district police officer) be empowered to take action against an individual (under the proposed law)?”

The speaker noted that even under the Goonda Act, the court had the authority to sentence a person if intelligence agencies reported their involvement in hooliganism.

During the session, opposition members expressed concern that the proposed law would be passed by the House as the treasury members had an overwhelming majority.

PTI MPA Ahmer Bhatti noted that according to the bill, “officers will report against an individual and then act against that person on their own without taking recourse to any judicial forum. He expressed fear that the proposed law could be used for political victimisation.

The bill

The draft of the proposed law states that it aims to systematically tackle “public nuisance”, financial and social exploitation and systemic criminal activities.

Under this newly drafted framework, the government will establish a specialised hierarchy of intelligence committees – at provincial, divisional, and district levels – to enhance public safety, protect minorities, evaluate threats to foreigners, and closely monitor the misuse of social media platforms.

The bill outlines an extensive list of activities categorised as anti-social behaviour. These include operating gambling or drinking dens, engaging in the illicit manufacturing of liquor, managing brothels, making fraudulent charity collections, using hate speech or disseminating disinformation online, and impersonating public servants. It also targets individuals who engage in aerial firing, exhibit weapons on social media, practice online blackmailing, or disrupt traffic by erecting illegal barriers.

To address these behaviours, the bill proposes to empower District Intelligence Committees to initiate inquiries, demand surety bonds for up to six months and recommend severe administrative penalties. These penalties range from blocking national identity cards and passports to freezing bank accounts, removing cyberspace presence, and confiscating electronic gadgets for prosecution purposes.

For individuals formally declared as habitual offenders – specifically those with repeated arrests for crimes such as motor vehicle theft, extortion, robbery, dacoity, or narcotics offences – the law introduces stringent tracking protocols. Upon a police application routed through public prosecutors, a magistrate will be authorised to order the attachment of an electronic monitoring device to the offender for a minimum duration of three months. The proposed law states an habitual offender will face up to three years in prison if they fail to comply with requirements pertaining to the tracking.

Those who intentionally tamper with or destroy the tracking device will face a mandatory imprisonment for at least a year, a fine of Rs1 million and a liability to compensate for the damaged technology.

Law enforcement agencies will maintain biometric data, fingerprints, and even DNA records of these offenders within a newly established, centralised Punjab Habitual Offenders Registry.

The proposed law establishes a strict zero-tolerance policy for defying these new public safety measures. Any individual who violates an order passed by an intelligence committee will face an initial imprisonment of up to four years and a fine of up to Rs1.5m, with penalties increasing to a minimum of three years for a second offence, and a fixed four-year term with a Rs2m fine for a third violation.

Public servants found abetting violators will also face criminal prosecution — up to two years of imprisonment alongside internal departmental disciplinary actions.

All offences under the proposed law are legally categorised as cognisable and non-bailable, and they will be tried directly by a section-30 magistrate.

To protect individual rights and prevent administrative abuse, the bill outlines a clear appeals process. Aggrieved individuals can file representations to higher divisional and provincial intelligence committees, progress to an executive appellate committee, and ultimately take their case to a dedicated independent tribunal led by a retired district and sessions judge.

The draft bill states that once enacted, this legislation will officially repeal colonial-era laws, including the Restriction of Habitual Offenders (Punjab) Act of 1918 and the Punjab Control of Goondas Ordinance of 1959, modernising Punjab’s legal toolkit to combat contemporary organised crime and digital threats.

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India were knocked out of the Women’s T20 World Cup after Australia’s Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner struck half-centuries to secure a six-wicket win at Lord’s on Sunday.

Australia maintained their flawless record in the group stage, winning all five matches to finish top and advance to the semi-finals, chasing down India’s target of 171 with an over to spare.

India had entered the match needing a victory to progress after South Africa boosted their own qualification chances with a four-wicket win over Bangladesh in a low-scoring game.

Australia suffered an early setback when opener Georgia Voll fell to the second ball of the chase, but Perry and Gardner steadied the innings with a 100-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

Perry made 56 off 38 deliveries before being dismissed by Shree Charani, while Gardner remained unbeaten on 53 from 29 balls to guide the chase home.

“We obviously got to see how India bat and knew it was a good wicket and just needed a good partnership,” Perry, who was named the player of the match, said.

“Hopefully, two more big games to go. But focus will be on the semi-finals first.”

No maiden T20 World Cup title for India

The result ended India’s hopes of securing their maiden Women’s T20 World Cup title and completing a double after their triumph in the One-Day International World Cup last year.

India had posted 170 for four, powered by captain Harmanpreet Kaurs blistering 56 off 27 balls, including three sixes and six fours. Openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma provided a solid platform with a 66-run stand, but the middle order struggled to maintain momentum.

Jemimah Rodrigues scored 34 off 28 balls before being retired out in the closing stages, and Harmanpreet accelerated to lift India to their highest total against Australia in a Women’s T20 World Cup match, though it proved insufficient.

The defeat marked the second successive edition in which India had failed to reach the semi-finals, following their group-stage exit in 2024.

Defending champions New Zealand were eliminated on Saturday after suffering a nine-wicket defeat by England.

Australia will face the West Indies in the semi-finals on Tuesday.

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QUETTA / ISLAMABAD: A 5.9- ma­gnitude earthquake originating in Afg­hanistan’s Hindu Kush region sent light to moderate tremors across Paki­stan on Saturday, while a series of quakes in Balo­chistan damaged homes and injured several people over two days.

The Hindu Kush earthq­uake struck at 6:35pm, sha­king Abbottabad, Har­ipur, Mansehra, Shangla, Swat in Khyber Pakhtu­nkhwa, Rawalpindi, Chakwal and the Pothohar region in Punjab as well as Islamabad and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

“It was very huge here in Swat and it lasted for quite a long time,” Daniyal Ahmad, a resident of Swat district, said. “People came out of their houses and women and children were seen crying in panic.”

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reported no immediate casualties or major infrastructure damage.

The NDMA said the earthquake originated at a considerable depth of 178 kilometres, allowing tremors to spread over a wide area while limiting the intensity of ground shaking at the surface. Experts said the event was caused by the continued northward movement of the Indian Plate beneath the Eurasian Plate.

In Afghanistan, the country’s authorities said checks for casualties and damage were ongoing.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority in Balochistan reported that the two earthquakes had struck Tehsil Kingri in Musakhail district on Friday and Saturday.

According to the district administration, the first tremor on Friday affected the village of Chaap, partially damaging 80 to 90 houses and leaving six people with minor injuries. On Saturday, another earthquake hit Tehsil Kingri, damaging 25 to 35 houses and injuring 10 to 13 individuals.

Preliminary joint assessments indicate around 110 to 125 houses were partially damaged, while 18 to 19 people suffered minor injuries over the two days.

No fatalities have been reported till Saturday evening.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep grief Saturday over the losses in Musakhail, extending his heartfelt sympathies to the affected families.

PM Shehbaz directed the NDMA and the Balochistan provincial government to accelerate rescue and relief ope­rations immediately. He ordered authorities to provide immediate assistance to residents of damaged houses and ensure the best medical care for the injured.

With input from agencies

Published in Dawn, June 28th, 2026

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