National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), Bank of Punjab (BoP), and U Microfinance Bank (U Bank) have emerged as top agri credit performers in FY23. As per data released by State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Wednesday, NBP was the top agricultural credit performer among large banks with a score of 77.4. BoP scored 60.5, and was ranked the best mid-sized …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to send the summary for dissolution of the National Assembly to President Dr Arif Alvi today after which the NA will stand dissolved at midnight. “After completion of our term, we will, Wednesday, write to the president of Pakistan that the assembly should be dissolved and then a caretaker government will come,” he had …

Iran executed five men by hanging on Wednesday after convicting them of gang raping a woman in the northwest of the country last year, the judiciary said. The “five men who had kidnapped and raped a woman in the city of Marand in May 2022 were executed Wednesday,” the judiciary’s Mizan Online website announced. The men, who were arrested four …

BEIJING: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit Singapore, Malaysia and Cambodia from August 10 to 13, foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning announced on Wednesday. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, will visit at the invitation of Singaporean Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan, Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs …

Malaysia’s strategic location as it lies by the Strait of Malacca could help it benefit from the BRI by playing a bigger role like providing services to ships passing through. Obviously, it is halfway between Europe and China. It can be a point where goods from China can be redistributed to the ASEAN area and vice versa. Goods from Europe …

CHENGDU: Seven people have been confirmed dead in a flash flood that hit a place known for fish scale-shaped barriers along the Longxi River in southwest China’s Sichuan Province Wednesday, local authorities said. The accident happened around 9 a.m. in Yucheng District of Ya’an City after the upper reaches of the Longxi River swelled, sweeping 11 people away. Four people …

BEIJING: China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said Tuesday that BRICS ministers of trade and economy reached a consensus and achieved significant results at a recent ministerial meeting. At the video conference on Monday, the ministers agreed to expand cooperation in the digital economy and green development and make joint efforts to promote a stable supply chain and support micro, small, …

BEIJING: Thirty-three people were killed by downpour-triggered disasters, and five died in rescue and relief operations as of the end of Tuesday after heavy rains drenched Beijing recently, local authorities said on Wednesday. There are 18 others still missing, including a rescuer, Xia Linmao, deputy mayor of Beijing, told a press conference. The deaths of the aforementioned 33 people were …

JOHANNESBURG: South Africa is ready to host the much-anticipated 15th BRICS summit, said Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor on Monday. “President Ramaphosa has confirmed South Africa’s readiness to host the 15th BRICS summit in person, in Sandton, Johannesburg. The president has therefore invited 67 leaders from Africa and the Global South to attend the BRICS-Africa outreach and …

BEIJING: At around 7 p.m., the road at the back of a stadium in central Beijing is teeming with cars, scooters and bicycles. This is the usual time for parents to pick up their children finishing ball games or athletic trainings during the summer break. As the sweaty and tired children leave with their parents, more children, as well as …

BEIJING: Chinese table tennis enthusiasts can now gain a more precise understanding of their proficiency in the sport. The Chinese Table Tennis Association (CTTA) unveiled a table tennis level test in Beijing on Tuesday. Speaking at the launch, CTTA Vice President Qin Zhijian highlighted the significance of the level test in fulfilling China’s objective of becoming a sporting powerhouse and …

Former prime minister Imran Khan who is currently incarcerated in Attock Jail filed a plea in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday, challenging his conviction in the Toshakhana case by a trial court. The petition will be taken up tomorrow (Wednesday) by a two-member bench comprising IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri. On August 5, …

Human Rights Minister Riaz Pirzada has said that he does not see the Afghan interim government’s involvement in recent terror incidents across Pakistan, adding that there are misunderstandings between the two countries. The minister’s remarks come as a stark contradiction to recent statements issued by the government and the army who have repeatedly raised concerns over the use of Afghan …

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Mon-day filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking transfer from Attock jail to a better class in Adiala jail, Rawalpindi. The former prime minister also sought permission for regular visits by his legal team, family members, physician Faisal Sultan and political aides to the jail. The plea said the …

Actor and director Farhan Akhtar has finally dropped a small teaser for the much-awaited film Don 3, which now features Ranveer Singh in place of Shah Rukh Khan. Khan has played the lead role in previous parts of the franchise. Reportedly, he has now stepped down from the franchise as he wanted to star in more commercial films. Therefore, now …

Aligning with its growth strategy, the Company had announced the commencement of operations of Line-2, at Pezu Plant on December 22, 2022. This addition increases the production capacity of the Company’s cement production by 3.15 Million Tons Per Annum (MTPA), thereby, bringing the total capacity to 15.30 MTPA. After the successful completion of the aforesaid expansion, the Company has further …

Lucky Cement Limited (PSX: LUCK) achieved its highest-ever consolidated profit after tax of Rs. 59.5 billion for the year ended June 30, 2023, of which Rs. 10.7 billion is attributable to non-controlling interests. This represents an impressive 63.4 percent year-on-year (YoY) increase compared to the same period last year (SPLY). Along with the announcement of financial results, the Board of …

With Pakistan’s Independence Day drawing near, a notable thoroughfare in New York City, the most populous city in the United States, has received the co-naming designation of “Allama Iqbal Avenue.” Ambassador Masood Khan extended his congratulations to President Ali Rashid of the American-Pakistani Advocacy Group (APAG) for his leadership role in securing the co-naming of the avenue as “Allama Iqbal …

Veteran Pakistani cricketer, Fawad Alam has decided to shift to the United States of America (USA) and embark on a new cricketing journey. As per media reports, the 37-year-old cricketer is gearing up to grace the fields of the Minor League Cricket (MLC) T20 as a pivotal player for the Chicago Kingsmen. the move by the left-hander exemplifies a trend …

July was the hottest month ever recorded on Earth, the European Union’s climate observatory confirmed Tuesday. Marked by heatwaves and fires all around the world, the previous month was 0.33 degrees Celsius higher than the record set in July 2019 when the average temperature was 16.63C (32 Fahrenheit), it said “The month was 0.72C warmer than the 1991-2020 average for July,” …

Many individuals rely on Google Search to correct their spelling, as the tool assists by suggesting searches and rectifying numerous typos. Yet, when it comes to grammar, people often turn to browser extensions like Grammarly to ensure proper sentence structure and phrasing. However, a transformation is underway, as Google aims to encompass all things related to literacy. In recent times, …

In a significant move, the Punjab caretaker government on Tuesday announced a series of salary increases for government officials across various grades, addressing the long-standing demands of public servants. The decision comes after persistent protests and advocacy by government employees for a raise in their salaries, signaling a positive development in the ongoing dialogue between the authorities and the workforce …

Following the unanimous green light given to the 7th digital census by the Council of Common Interests (CCI), and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s announcement about conducting upcoming elections on the basis of the new census. High-profile figures within the incumbent government have subtly hinted at the potential for a delay in the electoral schedule. The groundwork for conjecture was laid …

In a bid to curb tax evasion and promoting transparency in property transactions, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has recently implemented a new law that mandates obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the FBR prior to buying or selling property. The introduction of this law aims to tackle the long-standing issue of black money within the real estate …

Vice Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Shah Mehmood Qureshi, voiced his apprehensions on Tuesday, stating that the party was not being consulted regarding the formation of the caretaker government. He suggested that these actions might be indicative of attempts to postpone the impending election. Qureshi’s remarks were made outside the Lahore Anti-Terrorism Court, where he engaged with the media. He …

The government plans to collect an additional Rs721 billion from electricity consumers during the current financial year. The International Monetary Fund has been informed of the plan to increase the tariff and reduce the circular debt According to sources in the Finance Ministry, electricity price will be hiked by Rs1.25 per unit until September, and Rs39 billion in revenue is expected …

The anti-corruption authorities have decided to take action against former Chakwal naib tehsildar Najaf Hameed Khan, the brother of former ISI DG retired Gen Faiz Hameed. During his posting in Chakwal, Najaf has been accused of misappropriation in the land transfer fees. The anti-corruption department has started an investigation against him. There is evidence of irregularities worth hundreds of millions …

GUIYANG: A Fuxing bullet train departed on Tuesday morning from Guiyang, capital city of southwest China’s Guizhou Province, marking the full operation of the Guiyang-Libo section of the Guiyang-Nanning High-speed Railway. The Guiyang-Nanning High-speed Railway is the first high-speed rail with a designed speed of 350 km/h for both Guizhou Province and south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, of which …

CHENGDU: China swept 18 golds from the pool as the swimming competitions wrapped up at the Chengdu Universiade with the FISU records broken 14 times, while Italy and Poland followed suit with eight and six golds respectively. Away from the pool, young athletes from universities around the world are harvesting friendship and touching memories in Chengdu, one of the most …

Former prime minister Imran Khan’s lawyer approached on Monday the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking A-Class jail facilities in Attock Jail. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman’s lawyer, Naeem Haider Panjotha, filed the application on Imran’s behalf. The petition urged the IHC to declare Imran’s detention in Attock Jail “illegal”. It also requested that Imran be shifted to Adiala Jail in …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said the newly-launched Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) would propel growth in Pakistan’s industrial and agricultural sectors. Addressing an award distributing ceremony among Chinese companies that rendered valuable services in CPEC projects in Pakistan, PM Shehbaz lauded the foreign investment. Terming SIFC as a ‘great initiative’, the prime minister said that SIFC includes representation …

Two years ago, Dubai’s skyscraper-studded skyline welcomed a Ferris wheel touted as the world’s largest, but it mysteriously stopped turning just months after opening. The much-touted Ain Dubai (Dubai Eye) was designed as a tourist-luring landmark in the United Arab Emirates’ glam-hub, which is home to the world’s tallest building. But now it stands idle for undisclosed reasons, its extravagant …

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir said on Monday that the surge in terrorism incidents in recent months is a “futile effort” by terrorists to re-start talks, emphasising there is “no other choice for these terrorists other than to submit to Pakistan’s writ before they are decimated if they persist on their wrong path”. The Inter-Services Public …

A district and sessions court in Islamabad on Monday rejected the bail plea of Somia Asim the wife of a civil judge in a case pertaining to the alleged torture of an underage domestic worker in the capital and ordered police to arrest her. The suspect was subsequently taken into custody by Islamabad police from the court’s premises. Somia was booked …

As the current government’s tenure approaches its end, both houses of Parliament the National Assembly (NA) and the Senate have gone into overdrive, even working on weekends, to pass as many laws as possible before the NA is dissolved. The flurry of legislative activity has made it difficult for even the most ardent followers of the country’s power corridors to …

Former prime minister Imran Khan’s lawyer, Naeem Haider Panjotha, claimed on Monday that the PTI chief who is currently incarcerated in Attock Jail in a graft case was being kept in “distressing conditions” and provided “C-Class jail facilities”. On Aug 5, an Islamabad trial court had declared Imran guilty of “corrupt practices” in a case pertaining to concealing details of …

Railways and Aviation Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique on Monday termed a lack of resources as the “real cause” of yesterday’s Hazara Express tragedy, which claimed the lives of at least 30 people. Ten bogies of Havelian-bound Hazara Express had derailed near Sarhari Railway Station in Sindh’s Sanghar district on Sunday, with Pakistan Railways (PR) officials stating the breakage of the …

Former Pakistan captain Inzamam ul Haq was again appointed national men’s chief selector, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a tweet on Monday. This will be Inzamam’s second tenure as the chief selector, having been given the same role in 2016, which he left after his term finished three years later in 2019. Inzamam led Pakistan in 31 Test …

CHENGDU: China beat Italy 12-7 in the final to claim gold in the women’s water polo at the World University Games here on Monday. “The girls withstood the pressure in the final, and they performed perfectly,” said China coach Wang Jun, adding that she believes the water polo will be developed well in the future. Earlier on Monday, Australia won …

BEIJING: From 8 p.m. on July 29 to 7 a.m. on Aug. 2, Beijing recorded its heaviest rainfall since records began 140 years ago. The heavy overall rains in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region caused anomalous floods in several districts of Beijing and several localities in north China’s Hebei Province in the past few days. At urgent times, the Communist Party of …