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LONDON: Gold prices rose on Wednesday as investors reduced expectations of tighter US monetary policy and turned their attention to upcoming inflation data that could influence the Federal Reserve’s next interest-rate decision. Spot gold gained 0.6 per cent to $4,391.82 an ounce by 0535 GMT, while US gold futures for December delivery advanced 0.2pc to $4,451.90. The precious metal had reached a 10-week high a day earlier before encountering technical resistance around $4,387, near its 100-day moving average. It subsequently closed lower for the second time this month. Market analyst Kelvin Wong of Oanda said the recent strength in gold was largely driven by changing expectations about Federal Reserve policy. He noted that prices had also gained momentum after breaking above the $4,200 level late last week. Gold recorded its strongest weekly gain since January on Friday after weaker-than-expected US employment figures prompted traders to reduce their expectations of further interest-rate increases. According to the CME FedWatch Tool, markets are now assigning roughly a 50 per cent probability to a rate hike in September, down from about 60pc before the jobs report. Lower interest rates generally benefit gold because the metal does not generate interest, making it relatively more attractive when yields decline. Investors were awaiting the latest US Consumer Price Index figures later on Wednesday for further clues about the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy. Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee has meanwhile said inflation remains a greater concern for him than weakness in the labour market. Oil prices also extended their gains after the United States and Houthi forces reported separate attacks involving shipping on Tuesday. Meanwhile, hopes of an end to the Iran conflict appeared to weaken after Tehran indicated that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed unless certain conditions were met.

KARACHI: Investigators probing the murder of young businessman Mir Raza are facing challenges in completing geo-fencing around the crime scene, with the passage of several days making it harder to accurately reconstruct movements in the area. According to investigative sources, the crime scene is located near a hilly area that has been subjected to geo-fencing. Mobile towers belonging to three different telecom companies are situated around the location, allowing investigators to collect data on mobile activity in the vicinity. Sources said geo-fencing has so far produced location data covering several blocks of Gulistan-i-Jauhar. However, because considerable time has elapsed since the incident, investigators are finding it difficult to establish which individuals were present near the crime scene at the relevant time. Police have also collected various pieces of evidence from the surrounding area. Investigators reportedly conducted a search within a radius of around 500 metres from the location where the body was found. Meanwhile, the newly formed investigation committee has obtained details linked to Mir Raza’s smartwatch. Investigators are now attempting to retrieve the device’s complete data, which could potentially provide additional information about his movements and activities before his death. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to combine digital records, physical evidence and device data to determine what happened in the final hours of Mir Raza’s life.

ISLAMABAD: Differences within the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) have intensified as senior party figures Salman Akram Raja and Mashal Yousafzai exchanged allegations over party affairs and accusations related to the alleged sale of tickets. Salman Akram Raja criticised those who, according to him, were unable to pursue the matter through legal channels and had instead resorted to what he described as baseless allegations against Mashal Yousafzai over ticket-selling claims. Raja also said he did not know who had nominated Yousafzai as a senator, maintaining that the decision had been made on the instructions of PTI founder Imran Khan. He added that he did not have the authority to remove her from the Senate. In response, Mashal Yousafzai alleged that Raja had made his recent statements after apologising to the PTI founder. She challenged the party leadership to take action against Raja if it had the authority to remove him from the party. The dispute has also drawn comments from PTI leader Shandana Gulzar, who questioned Raja’s remarks concerning money. She raised questions over the whereabouts of millions of rupees allegedly received from the United States and said that those responsible would face serious consequences if the matter was investigated. The exchange has added to growing tensions within the opposition party, with allegations and counter-allegations emerging as its leadership continues to grapple with internal disagreements.

LAHORE: The deaths of two young women in police custody have raised fresh questions after their autopsy reports revealed black spots on their lungs and blood clots in their hearts, while failing to find visible signs of physical assault or torture. The two women, identified as Amina and Anmol, died while in the custody of Lahore’s Township police. According to sources, their post-mortem examinations found no external injuries or marks suggesting physical violence. Samples of their blood and internal organs have now been sent for histopathological testing, which is expected to help establish the final cause of death. The autopsies were conducted two days after the deaths and the reports were finalised after the medical board reached a consensus. Doctors found the women’s livers, kidneys and stomachs to be in normal condition, while black spots were observed on both sets of lungs and clots were detected in their hearts. The findings have not yet provided a definitive explanation for the deaths. Authorities are waiting for the histopathology results before determining the final cause. The families of the deceased have meanwhile called for an independent and transparent investigation. Tajamul Hussain, the father of one of the women, rejected the police version that the deaths were linked to a medical condition. He questioned how both women could have suffered fatal heart problems while in custody and alleged that they were killed. Police have denied the allegations. SSP Investigation Naveed Ahmed said the women had previous criminal records and were arrested after a passerby contacted Police Emergency 15 and reported that they had allegedly snatched an earring. The officer also claimed that the women used drugs but firmly rejected allegations that they were tortured or mistreated during their detention. With the histopathology reports still awaited, the investigation is expected to focus on the women’s medical condition, their treatment while in custody and the circumstances leading up to their deaths.

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal has renewed his call for the creation of new provinces in Pakistan, arguing that the country’s existing administrative structure is no longer adequate to serve its rapidly growing population. Speaking at the Pakistan Pharma Healthcare Expo, Kamal said debates over provincial boundaries were often framed as matters of honour and pride, but questioned why the same concern was not shown when children lost their lives after falling into open sewerage drains. He argued that Pakistan’s four provinces cover vast territories and that smaller administrative units could improve governance and ensure that public funds reach local communities more effectively. Kamal said the federal government distributes Rs8,884 billion annually among the provinces, but questioned the lack of an effective mechanism to ensure that funds reach union councils and communities at the grassroots level. He noted that Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are larger in area than many countries, while Sindh and Balochistan also cover territories exceeding those of numerous states around the world. According to him, Pakistan’s population has grown dramatically since the country had only around 37 million people, yet the number of provinces has remained unchanged. The minister cited countries such as Sri Lanka, Iran and India as examples of states with more administrative units, arguing that the creation of additional provinces would not weaken Pakistan but could instead strengthen the federation. Kamal also linked administrative shortcomings to growing security challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, where security personnel continue to lose their lives. He said Pakistan needed fundamental reforms to address the causes behind instability and improve governance. Turning to the issue of public infrastructure, the minister questioned the political focus on provincial identity when basic safety measures such as covering open sewer lines remain neglected. He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif works long hours and has extensive experience in provincial administration, but added that the federal government alone could not solve every local governance problem. The priority, he said, should be to strengthen the system rather than rely on individual interventions for issues such as sewer covers. Kamal urged all political parties to sit together and find a constitutional solution to the country’s administrative and governance challenges, saying meaningful reforms were needed to ensure public resources translated into better services and safer communities.

LAHORE: The fourth International Punjabi Conference will be held in Lahore from Nov 27 to 29, bringing together writers, academics, artists and other professionals from Pakistan and abroad, organisers announced at a press conference. The event is being organised by the Punjabi Parchar Organisation in collaboration with Punjabi Lehar and the Punjab Institute of Language, Art and Culture (PILAC), where the three-day conference will take place. Chief organiser Ahmed Raza Punjabi said the event would be held on a large scale, following the three previous editions of the conference. According to the organisers, thousands of participants from Pakistani Punjab and more than 50 foreign delegates from nine countries are expected to attend. The international participants will include writers, intellectuals, politicians, scientists, journalists, film artists, businesspeople and farmers. Mr Ahmed said the conference aimed to promote Punjabi language and literature while providing a platform to discuss issues facing Punjab and Punjabi communities around the world. He said prominent figures from Pakistani Punjab and successful members of the Punjabi diaspora would be invited to discuss those challenges and propose possible solutions. Conference focal person Dr Zaheer Wattoo said 10 panel discussions would be organised on Punjabi language and literature, the environment, agriculture, politics, sports, film and Punjabi nationalism. Academics from leading universities around the world would also present research papers during the three-day event, he added. Dr Wattoo said separate committees had been formed for different fields. These committees would select speakers from Pakistan and abroad for the panel discussions. The programme will also feature Punjabi cultural performances, live music and theatre. According to the organisers, nine Punjabi singers from different countries will perform during the conference. Several competitions aimed at connecting Punjabi with younger generations will also be held. These will cover public speaking, modern technology, short films, social media reels, singing, poetry and scientific innovation. Two Punjabi books will be launched on each day of the conference, including works by authors from Pakistan, the United States and Canada. On the final day, 16 awards across eight categories will be presented to individuals for their contributions to Punjab and Punjabi culture. Eight recipients will be from Pakistani Punjab, while the remaining awards will go to Punjabi personalities from the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom and New Zealand. A number of Punjabi literary and cultural figures from Lahore attended the announcement and presented suggestions regarding the conference programme.