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    Pakistan set to begin $2.5bn ML-1 Railway upgrade …

    ByJustpaste.in

    LAHORE: Pakistan Railways is moving ahead with preparations for the first phase of the $2.5 billion Main Line-1 (ML-1) project, with civil works expected to begin in January 2027 under the government’s accelerated implementation plan. The first phase will focus on the 480-kilometre Karachi-Rohri railway corridor, where new tracks will be constructed alongside safety fencing to prevent unauthorised access. The project is expected to take around two-and-a-half to three years to complete. Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi said the department was making every effort to meet the January deadline set by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He noted that consultations with contractors and consultants, international tendering, bidding, shortlisting and contract awards could take four to five months, but the government was determined to keep the project on schedule. Pakistan Railways has scheduled an online market engagement session for September 8 with local and international contractors, consultants and other stakeholders. The discussions will focus on project readiness, procurement, technical requirements, contract packages, qualification criteria, risk allocation and construction while railway operations continue. The Karachi-Rohri section has been prioritised because it carries a major share of the country’s railway traffic and includes stretches affected by deteriorating infrastructure and frequent accidents. Once upgraded, the corridor is expected to allow trains to operate at speeds of up to 160 kilometres per hour. The project will include track reconstruction, selected realignments, bridges, culverts, stations, freight facilities and other infrastructure along the Keamari-Landhi-Hyderabad, Hyderabad-Nawabshah and Nawabshah-Rohri sections. Upgrades to signalling, telecommunications and Walton Academy are also part of the broader plan. The Asian Development Bank is expected to finance the project, while Pakistan is also exploring co-financing from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, World Bank, Islamic Development Bank and other partners. A meeting at Pakistan Railways headquarters reviewed preparations for the Karachi-Rohri upgrade, with Railway Board Chairman Syed Mazhar Ali Shah directing officials to complete the project review by October 30, 2026. Weekly monitoring of progress was also ordered. Officials said international expertise and market feedback would be incorporated into the project to improve its efficiency, sustainability and technical viability. Authorities also pledged to maintain transparency, competitiveness and merit throughout the procurement and implementation process. The government sees ML-1 as a key step towards modernising Pakistan’s railway network, improving passenger services, increasing freight efficiency and strengthening connectivity between major population centres and industrial areas.

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    SpaceX sets new launch record with 2 Falcon 9 miss…

    ByJustpaste.in

    SpaceX has achieved a new launch turnaround milestone after sending two Falcon 9 rockets into orbit less than 40 minutes apart, carrying separate missions for Globalstar and the US Space Force. The first Falcon 9 blasted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 9:12pm EDT on Saturday, deploying eight Globalstar satellites to reinforce the company’s low Earth orbit network. Its first-stage booster, designated B1090, completed its 14th mission before successfully returning to Landing Zone 40 roughly eight minutes after liftoff. Just 38.5 minutes later, another Falcon 9 launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, carrying the classified USSF-366 mission for the US Space Force. Details about the spacecraft’s payload were not disclosed because of the mission’s national security classification. The second rocket’s B1088 booster successfully landed on SpaceX’s droneship Of Course I Still Love You in the Pacific Ocean, marking the 650th successful Falcon booster landing and adding another milestone to the company’s rapidly expanding reusable-launch program. The Globalstar launch had originally been planned for May 17 but was postponed to allow additional preparation time for the satellites. Globalstar CEO Paul E. Jacobs described the successful launch as an important step toward maintaining and strengthening the satellite infrastructure used by the company’s customers. The latest mission also comes as Globalstar prepares for its planned acquisition by Amazon, a transaction expected to be completed in 2027. The deal is aimed at supporting Amazon Leo’s direct-to-device satellite connectivity services. Globalstar recently announced that it would pause further earnings calls and updates to its forward-looking guidance while the proposed transaction remains under consideration.

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    Karachi braces for drizzle as humidity persists

    ByJustpaste.in

    KARACHI: Karachi is expected to experience partly cloudy and humid weather over the next 24 hours, with the Meteorological Department forecasting a possibility of light drizzle in the city tonight. Temperatures are likely to remain between 32 and 34 degrees Celsius during the day, while the minimum temperature recorded over the past 24 hours was 27.5°C. The weather is expected to remain humid as sea breezes continue to sweep across the city from the southwest at around 15 kilometres per hour. The humidity level has been recorded at 75 per cent. Residents may experience some relief from the persistent heat if the forecast drizzle occurs, although the overall weather is expected to remain warm and humid.

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    Oil prices surge as US-Iran talks falter and suppl…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Global oil prices climbed on Friday as stalled efforts to end the conflict involving Iran heightened concerns over possible disruptions to crude supplies. Markets remained focused on developments in the tense US-Iran negotiations, with traders also weighing the risk of further military and economic escalation. Brent crude futures rose 1.45 per cent to $88.33 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude gained 1.26 per cent to $82.27. Both benchmarks were on course for substantial weekly gains as uncertainty surrounding regional oil supplies continued to influence trading. Concerns intensified after the United States indicated that economic pressure on Iran could be increased, including the possibility of extending a naval blockade. Analysts warned that any significant escalation in the conflict could cause a much sharper increase in energy prices by threatening supplies from the region. Market strategist Kyle Rodda of Capital.com said geopolitical uncertainty remained a major obstacle for financial markets despite otherwise supportive economic conditions. Investors have so far absorbed considerable uncertainty without demanding substantially higher risk premiums, but analysts cautioned that this balance could change quickly if tensions worsen. Rising crude prices also weighed on European equities, which ended the week lower and broke a four-week run of gains. In the United States, major stock indexes also declined, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 0.14 per cent, the S&P 500 losing 0.19 per cent and the Nasdaq Composite dropping 0.39 per cent. Meanwhile, the US dollar weakened after disappointing retail sales data reduced expectations of another Federal Reserve rate increase. The softer dollar provided support to gold, with spot gold advancing 0.69 per cent to $4,380.03 an ounce. Currency markets also remained focused on Japan, where the yen edged higher against the dollar amid speculation that the Bank of Japan could raise interest rates as early as September. The currency nevertheless remained close to the 160-per-dollar level, which traders believe could prompt further intervention from Japanese authorities. Investors are now watching the next developments in US-Iran relations closely. A breakthrough in negotiations could ease pressure on energy markets, while any major escalation could trigger a renewed surge in oil prices and broader financial market volatility.

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    Motorcycle fire during one-wheeling leaves 8 injur…

    ByJustpaste.in

    LAHORE: Eight people sustained burn injuries after a motorcycle caught fire during a one-wheeling stunt in Lahore’s Defence area on Sunday. According to police, the motorcycle suddenly caught fire while a young man was performing one-wheeling, causing flames to spread and injure eight people in the vicinity. SP Cantt Investigation said the injured were immediately shifted to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. Police have also registered a case against the motorcyclist following a complaint lodged by the police. Authorities are using CCTV footage and Safe City cameras to trace and arrest the suspect, who remains at large.

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    Pakistan unveils major construction reforms to boo…

    ByJustpaste.in

    ISLAMABAD: The federal government is preparing a wide-ranging reform package aimed at revitalising Pakistan’s construction industry, improving regulatory oversight and attracting greater investment in modern infrastructure. The proposed measures include the establishment of a Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), consideration of a specialised Construction Development Bank (CDB), targeted tax reforms and changes to import and export policies. The proposals were discussed during a high-level meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Establishment Division Senator Ahad Khan Cheema. The meeting brought together senior government officials, representatives of the Construction Association of Pakistan and other stakeholders to examine the sector’s financial, regulatory and operational challenges. Under the proposed framework, the CIDB would promote the development of the construction industry while also regulating contractors, consultants and industry standards. The body would include representatives from both the public and private sectors and would seek to establish more consistent construction standards across the country. Senator Cheema said the government and the Construction Association of Pakistan were in agreement over the need for a dedicated regulatory and development body. The proposed framework will be presented to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for approval. The government also plans to introduce targeted tax incentives and rationalise import and export policies to encourage the use of modern construction technologies and strengthen local production capacity. In a significant move to improve the quality and durability of public infrastructure, the standard Defect Liability Period for public development projects is expected to increase from one year to three years, with a longer-term plan to extend it to five years. The proposed reforms would also increase accountability for consultants. Unlike contractors, who can face penalties for poor performance, consultants currently have limited direct legal accountability. Under the new framework, consultants could be subjected to regulatory oversight and held financially and legally responsible for design defects and technical errors. The government is also examining the construction industry’s difficulties in obtaining financial and performance guarantees. Senator Cheema directed Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani to consult the State Bank of Pakistan and Pakistan Banks Association on these issues and assess the feasibility of establishing a dedicated Construction Development Bank. The government says the reforms are intended to ensure that public infrastructure projects deliver better value for money, remain durable and meet higher technical standards. Officials believe stronger regulation and accountability could reduce disputes, improve construction quality and bring Pakistan’s industry closer to international standards.

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    Munem Zafar accuses govt machinery of mishandling …

    ByJustpaste.in

    KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi Ameer Munem Zafar has accused government authorities of deliberately weakening the investigation into the Mir Raza Ali case, calling for the immediate arrest of those responsible. Speaking at a press conference at the Noor-e-Haq Institute, Zafar said the circumstances surrounding the case had raised serious questions. He pointed out that the incident was initially reported as a suicide, while findings that emerged following the exhumation presented a markedly different picture. Zafar said the government was responsible for ensuring a transparent investigation and bringing the people involved to justice. He alleged that the government machinery was instead being used to undermine the case. Turning to Karachi’s civic problems, the JI leader said a large part of the city was facing a severe water shortage. He accused the Water Corporation of becoming a centre of corruption and criticised the recent increase in water prices. Zafar also expressed concern over the city’s water supply from the Hub Canal, saying the situation had become evident to residents. He further criticised the disruption caused by the Red Line project, saying Karachi’s citizens were being subjected to considerable difficulties in the name of development.

  • Data Darbar revamp to be completed before next Urs…

    ByJustpaste.in

    LAHORE: Secretary and Chief Administrator Auqaf Punjab Dr. Ehsan Bhutta has directed authorities to complete all ongoing development, expansion, renovation and beautification projects at the historic Data Darbar before next year’s Urs. During a detailed inspection of the shrine and surrounding areas, Dr. Bhutta reviewed the progress and quality of the ongoing projects and instructed officials to accelerate construction while maintaining high standards of workmanship. He said the Punjab government is committed to providing millions of devotees and spiritual visitors from across Pakistan and abroad with safe, dignified and modern facilities. The upgraded arrangements are expected to improve cleanliness, security, parking, movement and other essential services at the shrine. Dr. Bhutta stressed that neither the quality nor timely completion of the projects would be compromised, particularly given the large number of visitors throughout the year and the significant influx of devotees during the annual Urs. The inspection team included senior officials from NESPAK, TEPA, the Communication and Works Department and Auqaf Punjab. The delegation also visited the shrine, laid a chadar and offered Fateha, praying for peace, prosperity and progress in Pakistan. Later, Dr. Bhutta visited Sharqpur Sharif in connection with its annual Urs celebrations, where he laid a chadar and offered prayers. He also inspected the city’s historic mosque, which has been restored and modernized with the cooperation of the Sharqpuri family. Auqaf officials briefed him on the remaining restoration work and assured him that the outstanding projects at the mosque would be completed within two months.

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    Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly told family about wed…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly married his longtime partner Georgina Rodríguez in a highly private ceremony in Portugal, with claims that his family was informed about the wedding only moments before the ceremony began. According to Portuguese television presenter Cristina Ferreira, Ronaldo and Rodríguez reportedly exchanged vows during a private ceremony on August 11, 2026. The event was said to have been attended by only four witnesses and the couple’s children, making it a remarkably intimate occasion for one of the world’s most famous footballers. One of the most surprising details surrounding the Cristiano Ronaldo wedding is the reported absence of his mother, Dolores Aveiro, and his three siblings. Ferreira claimed that Ronaldo’s family may have learned about the ceremony just 30 seconds before it took place. The reported last-minute announcement has generated significant interest among fans because Ronaldo has maintained a close relationship with his family throughout his career. However, the decision to keep the ceremony private appears to have allowed the couple to celebrate away from the intense media attention that normally surrounds their lives. Following the reported wedding, Ronaldo’s mother appeared to acknowledge the occasion on social media. Dolores reportedly reacted with a heart emoji to photographs of the couple’s wedding rings. Her reaction was seen as a warm gesture despite her reported absence from the ceremony. Ronaldo and Rodríguez later made their first public appearance together as a married couple. They were reportedly seen with their children at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh while watching an Al-Nassr match against Al-Fateh. The appearance attracted considerable attention, as it came only days after the reported private ceremony. Fans were particularly interested in seeing the couple together following reports of their marriage. Ronaldo and Rodríguez have been partners for several years and have built a family together while balancing their highly public careers and personal lives. Their reported decision to hold a small ceremony demonstrates their desire to keep important family moments private. Although details of the ceremony remain limited, the claim that Ronaldo informed his family only seconds before the wedding has become the most striking part of the story. More information about the ceremony and the couple’s plans could emerge in the coming days. For now, the reported Cristiano Ronaldo wedding remains a closely watched story, with fans around the world eager to learn more about the private celebration.

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    Pakistani Squash player Sana Bahadur wins Australi…

    ByJustpaste.in

      Pakistan’s squash player Sana Bahadur has achieved a notable victory by winning a squash tournament held in Melbourne, Australia. Her impressive performance in the competition has added another achievement to Pakistan’s growing presence in international squash. The tournament featured players competing for the title in a highly competitive environment. Sana Bahadur progressed through the event with strong performances and eventually secured her place in the final, where she faced Australia’s Rachael Greena. The final match provided an exciting contest between the Pakistani player and her Australian opponent, with Sana demonstrating confidence, determination and excellent control throughout the game. In the final played in Melbourne, Sana Bahadur defeated Rachael Greena by a score of 3–1 to claim the championship title. The victory reflected Sana’s ability to perform under pressure and maintain her composure during an important international match. Despite facing a home player, Sana remained focused and produced a strong performance that enabled her to take control of the contest. Winning an international tournament in Australia is a significant accomplishment for Sana Bahadur and represents an encouraging development for Pakistani squash. Pakistan has historically produced some of the world’s finest squash players, and the country has a long and distinguished tradition in the sport. Players such as Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan established Pakistan as a major force in international squash, inspiring generations of young athletes to take up the sport. Sana’s victory can therefore be viewed as part of the continuing efforts of Pakistani squash players to compete successfully on international platforms. Success in overseas tournaments is particularly important for emerging players because it provides valuable experience against competitors from different countries and helps them improve their rankings and confidence. The Melbourne tournament also offered a valuable opportunity for players to gain international exposure and compete for prize money. The total prize purse for the event was $3,000. Although the financial reward was relatively modest compared with major international squash competitions, winning the title remains an important achievement for Sana because of the competitive experience and recognition associated with the victory. For Pakistan, achievements such as Sana Bahadur’s success are important in encouraging young athletes and highlighting the country’s potential in squash. International victories can also motivate aspiring players to pursue professional careers in the sport and demonstrate that Pakistani athletes can compete successfully against international opponents. Sana Bahadur’s triumph in Melbourne is therefore more than just a tournament victory. It is a testament to her hard work, preparation and determination. By defeating Australia’s Rachael Greena 3–1 in the final, she successfully brought the championship title to Pakistan. The achievement is expected to provide Sana with greater confidence as she continues her squash career. It also offers a positive moment for Pakistani squash fans, who continue to look forward to seeing new players emerge and represent the country on international courts. With her Melbourne victory, Sana Bahadur has made a strong statement about her potential and added another encouraging chapter to Pakistan’s squash story.