Dawn leaks refers to a 2017 controversy in Pakistan sparked by a news report in the Dawn (newspaper).

In 2016, Cyril Almeida, one of the journalists working at Dawn (newspaper), reported that during the high profile National Security Council (Pakistan) (NSC) meeting between the civilian leaders under the leadership of then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the military leaders of Pakistan, some civilian leaders had warned the military leaders about the risk of Pakistan's growing diplomatic isolation due to lack of action against some Pakistani militant groups. Pakistan's military leadership was clearly upset over reports of alleged leaking of this classified information to a Pakistani journalist by some civilian leaders attending that NSC meeting.^[1]

Maryam Nawaz was also suspected of being involved in the leak of a story to Dawn.^[2][3][4] After the publication of the news story, both Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif denied the events and termed the article as fabricated. Sharif ordered action against those responsible for the publication of what he called a "fabricated" story.^[5][6] Later, the government held Pervez Rasheed, the Information Minister, responsible for the leak and he was subsequently made to resign from his position.^[7] After an inquiry, 12 individuals were found to be in contact with Cyril Almeida. However, Nawaz Sharif only dismissed Fatemi and Rao Tehseen for their alleged involvement in 'Dawn leaks,' stating that a notification regarding this matter would be issued soon.^[8] Subsequently, the ISPR tweeted saying, "Notification on Dawn Leak is incomplete and not in line with recommendations by the Inquiry Board. Notification is rejected."^[9][10] In 2018, Maryam confirmed that the Dawn leaks news was accurate and grounded in facts^[11] and expressed regret over the Nawaz Sharif's decision to sack Pervaiz Rasheed during the 'Dawn Leaks' controversy.^[12]

Some within and outside the PML-N attribute party's misfortunes, since the Dawn Leaks controversy emerged, directly to Maryam's rise to prominence.^[13]