Category: English

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Saturday structural reforms were under way to stabilise Pakistan’s economy, with the government focusing on export-led sustainable growth, improving the tax system, reducing energy costs, and encouraging the private sector. He said IT exports were expected to reach $5.5 billion and remittances $44 billion during the current fiscal year, while the country’s foreign exchange reserves were sufficient to cover more than three months of imports. Addressing a ceremony at a private university in Lahore on Saturday, the finance minister said…

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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday announced an initial 14-member Test squad for the two-match ICC World Test Championship series against Sri Lanka, retaining Babar Azam as captain and handing maiden Test call-ups to three batters. Mohammad Taha, Mohammad Suleman and Sameer Minhas have earned their first call-ups following impressive performances in domestic cricket. The series will begin at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on November 9, with the second Test scheduled at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium from November 17 to 21. The squad includes Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad…

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A nearly century-old mosque near Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence in New Delhi is facing the threat of demolition, prompting its imam and worshippers to pray for its protection. A video circulating on social media shows Imam Muhammad Haroon breaking down in tears while offering prayers after Friday congregational prayers. Worshippers can be seen joining him in silence as he appeals to Almighty Allah for help, describing the situation as a test of their faith. The video also shows men and women praying for the mosque’s survival and the…

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Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Saturday that many Iranians were struggling to put food on the table, as the economic pressure from the Middle East war with the United States mounts. Washington has in recent weeks dialled back military operations in favour of economic pressure, while Iran’s leaders have said peace negotiations will only succeed without pressure and threats from Washington as the conflict remains locked in a stalemate. “There are many people in this society who are struggling to put food on the table because of the war we…

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A Lahore court has ordered the release of Saadat Anees, who was arrested in a case involving the alleged assault of a petrol pump employee, after the complainant and the accused reached a settlement. According to the order issued by a judicial magistrate on Saturday, the complainant informed the court that the incident had resulted from a misunderstanding and that he no longer wished to pursue the case following the settlement. Police had sought a 10-day physical remand of Anees. However, the court rejected the request in view of the…

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Ras Al Khaimah authorities said on Saturday that all beaches in the emirate would be closed until further notice, a day after an offshore oil leak prompted beach closures in neighbouring Umm Al Quwain and Sharjah. The Public Services Department announced the closures in a statement shared by Ras Al Khaimah Police General Headquarters. No reason was given. The United Arab Emirates said on Friday that efforts were underway to contain oil leaking from a tanker offshore, with its Ministry of Climate Change and Environment conducting an environmental assessment. All…

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Bestway Group has launched Chinese auto giant Geely Auto in Pakistan, unveiling three new energy models — the compact electric hatchback Geely EX2, electric SUV Geely EX5, and plug-in hybrid SUV Geely Starray EM-i. Speaking at the launch, Irfan Muhammad Shaikh, Managing Director of Bestway Group, said Bestway Automotive is the sole authorised distributor of Geely in Pakistan. The launch marks Bestway’s entry into the automotive sector as a strategic extension of its long-term investment portfolio in the country, a statement said. As per the details, the company will initially…

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The Israeli military forced around 1,200 Palestinians to leave their ​homes in Hebron in the occupied West Bank, a Palestinian official said on Saturday, a day ‌after a Palestinian attack killed two Israeli soldiers. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday had said the military would launch a large-scale operation after the soldiers were killed when two Palestinian gunmen opened fire at a military checkpoint near the city. The Israeli military said the ​gunmen were shot dead. They also said the operation in the Al-Jaladah and Ein Deir Baha neighbourhoods…

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French police started firing tear gas at protesters Saturday as they stepped up security in major cities aiming to prevent a repeat of rioting a week ago, on a day of fresh nationwide demonstrations over the high cost of living. Police in the southeast city of Lyon fired tear gas to disperse some 150 protesters near the city centre — where demonstrations had been banned — when they briefly tried to block a road, an AFP journalist saw. “The police are really mobile… They come and disperse marches before they…

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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un returned home on Saturday after making a day-long trip to the Chinese border city of Dandong, Beijing’s state media reported, though the purpose of the unannounced visit was not immediately clear and there was no mention of talks with his counterpart Xi Jinping. Kim is thought to have crossed into China via a major border bridge that officially opened last week, 12 years after its completion, deepening economic ties between China and diplomatically isolated North Korea. Neither North Korea nor China disclosed Kim’s visit…

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