تازہ ترین

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    Fakhar Zaman says one good PSL game is not enough for a call-up

    ByJustpaste.in

    Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman has weighed in on national team selections. He believes players should not be picked based on just one or two standout PSL performances. According to him, there is a significant gap between franchise cricket and the international game. The 35-year-old pointed out a growing trend. Several young players have made it into the national side after impressing in only a few PSL matches. He said that if a youngster is truly good enough to take his spot in the white-ball team, they should get that chance without hesitation. However, he added an important condition. Such players still need to prove their quality and consistency over time, not just deliver one strong performance. Fakhar also spoke about the gap between league and international cricket. He explained that many domestic performers only understand this difference once they step onto the international stage themselves. He suggested that regular development camps could help close this gap. At the same time, he cautioned against calling any player extraordinary after just one or two good PSL games. League cricket, he stressed, is simply not the same as international cricket. Turning to team matters, Fakhar revealed that batting order discussions have already taken place with the management. He was careful to note that not every detail from those conversations can be shared publicly. His personal approach, he said, has always been to prioritize what the team needs. He acknowledged that individual players naturally have their own preferences. Still, he pointed out that not everything can be aired through the media. What matters most, according to him, is that the entire squad stays united and aligned moving forward. Looking ahead, Fakhar also shared some thoughts on his history in South Africa. He said he has fond memories of playing there in the past. He credited the pace and bounce of South African pitches for suiting his natural batting style. He added that his current preparation is already focused on the 2027 World Cup. As selection debates continue to swirl around PSL performances, Fakhar’s comments offer a timely reminder. Consistency, not a single flash of brilliance, remains the real benchmark for making it at the international level, a point he seems keen on reinforcing as competition for spots heats up.

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    LPG becomes costlier from August

    ByJustpaste.in

    The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) has increased the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for August, raising the cost for both domestic and commercial consumers across Pakistan. According to an official notification issued by Ogra, the price of LPG has been increased by Rs12.89 per kilogram, taking the new official rate to Rs254.32 per kg for the month of August. The regulator also revised the price of the standard 11.8-kilogram domestic LPG cylinder, which will now cost Rs3,000.92 following the latest increase. The revised prices will come into effect for the entire month of August under Ogra’s monthly pricing mechanism. The increase is expected to place an additional financial burden on households that rely on LPG for cooking and heating, particularly in areas without access to natural gas. Commercial users, including restaurants, hotels and small businesses that depend on LPG, are also likely to face higher operating costs. Ogra reviews LPG prices every month based on prevailing market conditions and other relevant pricing factors before issuing revised rates through official notifications. Consumers are expected to pay the updated prices from the beginning of August unless further revisions are announced by the regulator.

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    Missing pet dog Duke returns to Wasim Akram

    ByJustpaste.in

    Former Pakistan cricket captain Wasim Akram has been reunited with his missing pet dog, Duke, bringing an end to an anxious search that drew widespread public attention on social media. The dog had gone missing from DHA Phase 8 in Karachi earlier this week. Concerned about Duke’s disappearance, Akram appealed to the public for help in locating the pet and asked anyone with information to come forward. To encourage people to assist in the search, the former fast bowler announced a cash reward of Rs250,000 through his Instagram Story. In his message, he described Duke as a young black dog and requested that anyone who found him contact the family immediately. The appeal quickly gained traction online, with cricket fans, animal lovers and social media users sharing Akram’s posts in an effort to help locate the missing pet. The case also attracted the attention of local police, who assisted in the search. On Friday, Akram confirmed that Duke had been found safe. He shared the update through a video on social media, expressing his happiness and relief after being reunited with his beloved pet. The former captain thanked everyone who participated in the search, including members of the public who shared information and police officers who extended their support during the operation. He said the overwhelming response from people helped make the reunion possible. Akram also expressed appreciation for the kindness shown by well-wishers, saying the support received during the search reflected the compassion of the community. Meanwhile, his wife, Shaniera Akram, celebrated Duke’s safe return by sharing photographs of the dog on her Instagram Story. She also thanked everyone who had helped spread the family’s appeal and prayed for Duke’s safe recovery.

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    Population boom demands governance reset: DG ISPR

    ByJustpaste.in

    Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry on Friday said Pakistan’s rapid population growth requires a serious review of the country’s governance and administrative structure to ensure it continues to meet the nation’s needs. Speaking at a news conference, the military spokesperson noted that Pakistan’s population had increased from around 70 to 80 million in 1972 to nearly 250 million today, while the country’s administrative framework had largely remained unchanged. He said such a significant rise in population made it necessary to assess whether the existing system was still capable of delivering effective governance and public services. The DG ISPR stressed that improving governance was essential for national security and stability, adding that unresolved issues indicated the need for reforms. However, he emphasized that any changes to the administrative structure must be introduced through constitutional and democratic processes. He said the decision on governance reforms or administrative restructuring should reflect the aspirations of the people rather than individual opinions. Lt Gen Chaudhry also highlighted that Pakistan’s youth now make up the largest segment of the population and urged political leaders to focus on improving governance while guiding the public through constructive political dialogue. He reiterated that lasting solutions to the country’s governance challenges could only be achieved through constitutional means and in accordance with the will of the people.

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    China voices concern over new US trade curbs

    ByJustpaste.in

    BEIJING: China has raised strong concerns over the latest US trade restrictions, urging Washington to strengthen dialogue and maintain stable economic relations as both countries continue efforts to manage trade tensions. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng expressed Beijing’s concerns during a video conference with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, according to Chinese state media. During the talks, both sides held detailed discussions on implementing the agreements reached by the leaders of the two countries. The officials also exchanged views on maintaining stable economic and trade ties, expanding practical cooperation and addressing each other’s concerns through continued engagement. Beijing criticized the latest US trade measures, including the recently announced 12.5% tariff on Chinese imports, describing them as a source of concern for bilateral economic relations. Despite the differences, both sides agreed to continue using the China-US economic and trade consultation mechanism to improve communication, strengthen mutual trust and reduce misunderstandings. They also pledged to expand cooperation and support the stable development of bilateral trade relations. The discussions come ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s expected visit to the United States later this year, a meeting widely seen as an opportunity to ease tensions between the world’s two largest economies. Earlier agreements between Beijing and Washington included China’s commitment to address US concerns over the supply of rare earth minerals and related processing technologies. China also agreed to increase purchases of US agricultural products through 2028 as part of broader efforts to stabilize trade relations. The latest talks indicate that while differences remain over tariffs and trade policies, both governments continue to pursue diplomatic engagement to prevent further escalation in economic disputes.

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    PM orders digital overhaul of oil sector

    ByJustpaste.in

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) to implement a modern digital monitoring system across Pakistan’s oil and gas sector to improve transparency, eliminate hoarding and curb profiteering. The directive was issued during a high-level meeting chaired by the prime minister to review Ogra’s institutional reforms and measures aimed at strengthening the regulator’s performance. The prime minister said the government was committed to protecting public money and would not allow anyone to exploit consumers or manipulate the country’s energy system for personal gain. He instructed authorities to accelerate Ogra’s reform process and ensure that the government’s institutional reform agenda was implemented effectively across the organisation. Shehbaz Sharif also directed officials to develop a comprehensive digital tracking mechanism for fuel movement, using the Federal Board of Revenue’s modern tracking system as a model. He said the system should closely monitor the transportation of petroleum products from ports and refineries to fuel stations across the country. The prime minister stressed that digital oversight of the entire fuel supply chain would help improve transparency, reduce irregularities and strengthen regulatory enforcement. To improve Ogra’s institutional capacity, he called for the induction of qualified professionals from the private sector with strong reputations and relevant expertise. He also ordered the restructuring of the authority, saying appointments to all positions should be made through a transparent and merit-based process. Shehbaz Sharif assured officials that the federal government would provide all necessary professional and technical support to ensure the successful implementation of Ogra’s reform and restructuring programme. During the meeting, the Ogra chairman briefed participants on the regulator’s current performance, key challenges and the progress of its reform agenda. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Petroleum Minister Musadik Malik, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal’s representative Ahad Cheema, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa and other senior government officials.

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    Bilawal demands transparent AJK election process

    ByJustpaste.in

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has called for a fair and transparent electoral process in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), saying the Election Commission’s duty is to protect the people’s vote rather than support any political party. In a statement regarding the first phase of the AJK elections, Bilawal said the credibility of the entire electoral process would depend on ensuring justice and transparency at the initial stage. He urged the Election Commission to address all complaints related to alleged rigging and irregularities before August 2 through open hearings. He also demanded that polling station results and election records be made available to the public to remove doubts and increase confidence in the process. The PPP chairman said his party was not seeking anyone’s favour or special treatment. He said the demand was only for the right to participate in clean, transparent and impartial elections. Bilawal emphasized that the Election Commission should remain neutral and perform its constitutional responsibilities without any pressure. He said the institution’s main responsibility was to safeguard the mandate given by voters. He added that protecting the people’s vote was essential for strengthening democracy and ensuring that the voices of Kashmir’s residents were properly represented. The PPP leader’s statement came amid political discussions over the first phase of the AJK elections, with parties raising concerns and demanding a transparent mechanism to address electoral complaints.

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    ECP begins Islamabad local polls preparations

    ByJustpaste.in

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has started the delimitation process for holding local government elections in Islamabad. The commission said the formal process will begin on August 1, 2026, and will continue until October 13, 2026. The delimitation of constituencies is a major step before announcing the election schedule. An ECP spokesperson said that after the completion of the delimitation process and publication of the final constituencies, the commission will consult the federal government regarding the date for Islamabad’s local government elections. The spokesperson also shared updates about local government elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In Punjab, delimitation authorities have been directed to submit their decisions to the relevant committees by August 7. The final delimitation list for the province will be published on August 17. The ECP said it is fully prepared to conduct local government elections in Punjab after completing all necessary legal requirements and consultations. Regarding Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the commission said delimitation has been completed in 23 districts, while work is continuing in seven more districts. The spokesperson said the ECP held discussions with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief secretary and local government secretary on July 14 about the election schedule. Provincial authorities were given additional time after requesting support for completing arrangements. The commission said recent amendments to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Local Government Act created legal issues that affected the delimitation process. The ECP informed the provincial government about these concerns and sought cooperation to resolve the matter. The spokesperson said the commission has faced delays in local government elections because federal and provincial governments often change local government laws close to election dates. He said the ECP has repeatedly completed delimitation exercises and prepared election schedules, but changes in legal frameworks affect the process. The commission recommended that major changes to local government laws and boundaries should be completed at least one year before elections. It said this would help ensure a smooth and timely electoral process.

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    60,000 migrants flood Spain’s Ceuta border

    ByJustpaste.in

    Spain has deployed additional security forces to its North African territory of Ceuta after a massive wave of migrants crossed from Morocco, creating one of the largest border crises in the region’s recent history. Ceuta’s President Juan Jesús Vivas said around 60,000 migrants entered the Spanish enclave within 24 hours, while at least 43 people died during the crossing attempts. The sudden influx overwhelmed local authorities and triggered an emergency response from Madrid. Spain’s Interior Ministry gave a lower estimate, saying around 50,000 people had reached Ceuta since early Thursday. Officials said more than 25,000 migrants had already returned voluntarily to Morocco. The crisis intensified after Spain’s Supreme Court ruled that migrants intercepted at sea while attempting to reach Ceuta or Melilla could not be immediately returned to Morocco. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the situation as an “attack” and promised that those who entered illegally would be sent back as quickly as possible. During a visit to Ceuta, Sánchez said Spain would strengthen border security and accused criminal networks of spreading misleading information about the court ruling to encourage migration attempts. He added that Moroccan authorities were cooperating with plans to return migrants. Spanish authorities have now increased military deployment in Ceuta and Melilla, another Spanish territory in North Africa, after several hundred additional crossings were reported there. Many of those arriving were young men, but women, children and infants were also among the migrants. Officials estimated that around 7,000 minors were part of the latest arrivals. Ceuta, located on Morocco’s northern coast, is one of the European Union’s only land borders with Africa. The territory has long been a major route for migrants seeking entry into Europe and remains a sensitive issue in Spain-Morocco relations. The latest arrivals have caused concern among European leaders. Several governments called for stronger border controls, while EU officials described the scenes in Ceuta as unacceptable and urged an immediate halt to irregular crossings. The last major migration surge in Ceuta occurred in 2021, when thousands crossed the border amid a diplomatic dispute between Spain and Morocco. However, officials said the current movement is far larger and has created an unprecedented challenge for local authorities.

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    Former Turkish PM Davutoglu quits politics

    ByJustpaste.in

    ISTANBUL: Former Turkish prime minister Ahmet Davutoglu has announced his decision to step away from politics and dissolve his Future Party, ending a decades-long political career that saw him rise as one of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s closest allies before becoming a vocal critic. Davutoglu announced the decision this week, saying he wanted to distance himself from what he described as a “dirty political climate” in Turkiye. He said the move was not a surrender but a step taken on moral grounds and a call for a broader rethink of politics. The former premier criticized issues including corruption, favouritism and weak accountability, saying these challenges had damaged public trust. He also raised concerns over the country’s presidential system introduced in 2018, arguing that it weakened checks and balances. Davutoglu began his career as an academic before entering politics. Born in Konya in 1959, he studied political science and international relations at Bosphorus University and later earned a doctorate in the same field. Before joining government, he worked as a professor and wrote several books on foreign policy. His academic reputation helped him become a key figure in shaping Turkiye’s international strategy. After the Justice and Development Party (AKP) came to power in 2002, Davutoglu joined the party and became a close adviser to Erdogan. He played an influential role in developing the “zero problems with neighbours” foreign policy approach, which aimed to improve relations with regional countries. He served as Turkiye’s foreign minister from 2009 to 2014 and became prime minister after Erdogan moved to the presidency in 2014. However, relations between the two leaders gradually weakened due to differences over governance, foreign policy and the distribution of political power. In 2016, Davutoglu resigned as prime minister and was replaced by Binali Yildirim. Three years later, Davutoglu left the AKP and launched the Future Party, presenting it as a conservative alternative focused on democracy and reforms. However, the party struggled to gain major public support and received a small share of votes in the 2024 elections.