تازہ ترین

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    Jasprit Bumrah sidelined for Sri Lanka Tests over knee concern

    ByJustpaste.in

    India pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka. According to reports, the BCCI’s medical team advised him to take extra time to recover from a left knee issue. Bumrah will not travel with the squad for the series, which begins on August 15 in Galle. The decision reflects India’s cautious approach, as the team looks to avoid rushing its premier fast bowler back too soon. So far, the BCCI has not named a replacement for the 31-year-old. Bumrah last bowled during the second ODI against England in Cardiff on July 16. He was ruled out of the series finale at Lord’s shortly after, following an impact injury sustained while fielding. At the time, the BCCI cited that injury as the reason for his absence. Following the England series, Bumrah received an injection for his knee as part of a recovery plan designed by the BCCI medical staff. He then travelled to the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru for a round of fitness testing. Reports suggest the medical team feared that a premature return to bowling could risk a much longer setback, with concerns that the injury might worsen without proper rest. While the exact nature of Bumrah’s injury remains undisclosed, he has been closely monitored since recovering from a lengthy layoff last year. He had also visited the Centre of Excellence in March for conditioning work ahead of the IPL season. During that tournament, Bumrah featured in 13 matches for Mumbai Indians, sitting out only their final fixture. His workload has continued to be managed carefully, given his ongoing injury history. India’s bowling attack has faced several setbacks ahead of the tour. Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy are both sidelined with hamstring and quadriceps injuries respectively. Washington Sundar has also been ruled out of the first Test due to a hamstring issue, while Akash Deep remains unavailable as he continues recovering from stress reactions in his back. Speaking after India’s ODI series loss in England, captain Shubman Gill raised concerns over the team’s repeated injury troubles. He warned that these frequent absences could become a significant challenge as India heads toward the demanding 2027 World Cup cycle. Ahead of the Test series, India will play a three-day practice match in Colombo starting August 7. The tour marks India’s first assignment in the new World Test Championship cycle, following a 2-0 home series defeat to South Africa last November.

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    Arshad Nadeem was not fit enough for Glasgow, says former coach

    ByJustpaste.in

    Fayyaz Hussain Bukhari, who previously coached Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem, has said the javelin thrower was not at peak fitness ahead of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Nadeem’s campaign there ended in disappointment. Speaking to The Express Tribune from Lahore, Bukhari said he had watched Nadeem during throwing sessions and didn’t see the intensity needed to challenge for medals at a major event. According to him, fitness is the single most important factor for any athlete. He added that if an athlete is not fit, competing should not even be considered an option. Bukhari coached Nadeem for eight years and played a key role in helping him qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. He said fitness had always been central to his coaching philosophy during that period. Reflecting on the lead-up to Tokyo, Bukhari recalled that Nadeem had contracted COVID-19 and was also nursing an elbow injury at the time. He said Nadeem had insisted he wouldn’t compete unless he reached full fitness. Through focused work together, they managed to get him back in shape. Bukhari pointed to Nadeem’s strong throw at the Tokyo Games as evidence that the effort had paid off. He also called for mandatory fitness testing before athletes are cleared for international events. He expressed concern that such checks appear to have been abandoned altogether in recent years. Nadeem’s Glasgow campaign ended in a surprising early exit. He failed to progress past the qualifying round, finishing ninth out of twelve finalists based on his first three throws. The result stood in sharp contrast to his performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he won gold with a record-breaking throw of 92.97 metres. While Nadeem has claimed several medals since his Olympic win, his recent form has not matched that historic peak. This has raised some concern, given the immense potential he continues to carry as an athlete. Bukhari was removed from his coaching role by the Athletics Federation of Pakistan after Nadeem finished fifth in Tokyo. Salman Butt has since taken over as his coach. Despite the recent setback, Bukhari remains confident Nadeem can regain his top form. He said the athlete doesn’t necessarily need another massive throw, since he’s already delivered one on the world’s biggest stage. Instead, he believes Nadeem needs to focus on correcting his mindset and overall approach. Bukhari also criticized Butt, alleging he has distanced Nadeem from both the federation and his former coach. He added that he remains willing to help if needed, and called for stronger cooperation among Pakistan’s sports bodies to improve the country’s standing internationally.

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    PML-N’s clean sweep in AJK refugee seats ref…

    ByJustpaste.in

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Broadcasting Barrister Danyal Chaudhry on Sunday said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)’s victory on all three refugee seats in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections reflected the confidence of Kashmiri refugees and the people of Rawalpindi in the leadership of former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. Speaking at a press conference, Chaudhry thanked voters, Kashmiri refugees and party workers for what he described as a historic electoral success, saying the results reaffirmed the party’s strong support among the refugee community. He said the outcome of the elections was a clear endorsement of the PML-N’s political narrative and leadership, adding that the party had once again demonstrated its close connection with Kashmiri refugees by securing all three seats. The parliamentary secretary said the election mandate showed that the PML-N remained the principal political representative of Kashmiri refugees. Criticising rival parties, Chaudhry claimed that the Pakistan Peoples Party failed to attract significant voter support during the polls, alleging that its polling camps remained largely deserted throughout election day. He also said the party’s post-election press conference reflected its electoral performance. The PML-N has termed the clean sweep a major political achievement, saying it would further strengthen the party’s position among Kashmiri refugees ahead of future political contests.

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    PML-N secures first wins in AJK refugee seats

    ByJustpaste.in

    Unofficial and provisional results have started coming in following the completion of polling for the second phase of the 2026 Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections. Early results indicate that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has secured victory on two refugee constituencies, while vote counting continues across the remaining seats. Polling was held for eight constituencies in the Muzaffarabad Division and 12 refugee seats reserved for Kashmiri migrants living in different cities across Pakistan. Voting in the Muzaffarabad Division began at 8:00 a.m. and, due to high voter turnout, the Election Commission extended polling by one hour until 6:00 p.m. Polling for the refugee constituencies concluded at 5:00 p.m. Early Results from Muzaffarabad Division In LA-25 Neelum Valley-I, with results from 10 of 143 polling stations, PML-N candidate Shah Ghulam Qadir was leading with 1,364 votes, followed by Abid Afzal of the All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference with 951 votes. In LA-26 Neelum Valley-II, after results from 8 of 135 polling stations, PPP candidate Mian Abdul Waheed led with 1,157 votes, while PML-N’s Shah Ghulam Qadir had 940 votes. In LA-29 Muzaffarabad-III, results from 2 of 138 polling stations showed Barrister Iftikhar Ali Gilani of PML-N leading with 379 votes, ahead of PPP’s Sardar Mukhtar Khan, who secured 353 votes. In LA-30 Muzaffarabad-IV, PML-N’s Mustafa Bashir Abbasi was ahead with 247 votes, while PPP’s Mubashir Munir Awan had 206 votes, according to results from 2 of 129 polling stations. In LA-31 Muzaffarabad-V, PML-N candidate Saqib Majeed Raja led with 2,934 votes, while PPP’s Chaudhry Latif Akbar received 1,660 votes, based on results from 14 of 249 polling stations. In LA-32 Muzaffarabad-VI, former AJK Prime Minister Raja Muhammad Farooq Haider of PML-N was narrowly ahead with 892 votes, while PPP candidate Sahibzada Muhammad Ashfaq Zafar had 871 votes, according to results from 5 of 163 polling stations. In LA-33 Muzaffarabad-VII, PPP candidate Diwan Ali Khan Qamar Chughtai was leading with 1,349 votes, followed by PML-N’s Mian Muhammad Rashid, who secured 1,029 votes after counting at 7 of 155 polling stations. Refugee Seats The first complete unofficial results declared PML-N victorious in two refugee constituencies. In LA-43 Kashmir Valley-IV, PML-N’s Muhammad Yasin Lone won the seat with 1,276 votes, defeating PPP candidate Javed Butt, who received 563 votes. In LA-44 Kashmir Valley-V, PML-N’s Muhammad Ahmad Raza Qadri was declared the winner with 1,700 votes, while Mehr-un-Nisa of the All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference secured 650 votes. Vote Counting Continues In LA-34 Jammu-I, PML-N’s Nasir Hussain Dar was leading with 1,690 votes after results from 51 of 131 polling stations, while independent candidate Raja Riaz Ahmad had 741 votes. In LA-35 Jammu-II, PML-N’s Chaudhry Muhammad Ismail maintained a commanding lead with 18,788 votes, followed by independent candidate Sardar Muhammad Ghayas with 5,041 votes, based on results from 100 of 142 polling stations. In LA-36 Jammu-III, PML-N’s Muhammad Ahsan Raza led with 10,002 votes, while PPP’s Ahsan Ismail had 4,756 votes after counting at 50 of 140 polling stations. In LA-37 Jammu-IV, PML-N candidate Maryam Javed was ahead with 19,014 votes, while independent candidate Usman Aleem had 14,734 votes, according to results from 121 of 185 polling stations. In LA-38 Jammu-V, PML-N’s Zeeshan Ali was leading with 5,524 votes, narrowly ahead of Muhammad Akbar Chaudhry of the Muslim League AJK, who had 4,988 votes, based on results from 49 of 115 polling stations. In LA-39 Jammu-VI, PML-N’s Raja Muhammad Siddique secured 3,176 votes, while PPP’s Chaudhry Fakhar Zaman followed with 945 votes after counting at 41 of 157 polling stations. In LA-40 Kashmir Valley-I, PPP candidate Aamir Abdul Ghaffar led with 1,178 votes, while PML-N’s Muhammad Naeem Khan had 65 votes, according to results from 23 of 47 polling stations. In LA-41 Kashmir Valley-II, PML-N’s Muhammad Aamir Shah was ahead with 922 votes, while independent candidate Saba Diwan received 556 votes after counting at 13 of 19 polling stations. In LA-42 Kashmir Valley-III, PML-N candidate Syed Shaukat Ali Shah led with 1,326 votes, followed by PPP’s Muhammad Asim Sharif with 682 votes after results from 13 of 43 polling stations. In LA-45 Kashmir Valley-VI, PPP’s Abdul Majid Khan was leading with 2,444 votes, while Khawaja Muhammad Dilawar of the All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference had 562 votes, according to results from 15 of 41 polling stations. The Election Commission had established 1,483 polling stations across the Muzaffarabad Division. Polling in LA-27 Muzaffarabad-II was postponed because of severe weather and landslides. Voting for the refugee constituencies was held in several cities across Pakistan. Polling for Jammu-I and Kashmir Valley-I took place in Karachi, while Rawalpindi and Islamabad hosted polling for LA-43 Kashmir Valley-IV, LA-44 Kashmir Valley-V, and LA-39 Jammu-VI. Vote counting is continuing, and official results are expected after the completion of the counting process.

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    Maryam Aurangzeb rejects PPP’s rigging claim…

    ByJustpaste.in

      Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) (PML-N) leader and Senior Minister of Punjab, Maryam Aurangzeb, strongly rejected allegations of election rigging made by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), questioning the credibility of such claims by pointing to the PPP’s own government in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). Speaking to the media in Rawalpindi, Maryam Aurangzeb said that the PPP’s accusations of electoral fraud were baseless and contradictory. Referring to PPP leader Nayyar Bukhari’s remarks, she said it was unreasonable to claim widespread rigging on the basis of only two ballot papers when the election involved thousands of votes. According to her, isolated incidents cannot be used to undermine the credibility of an entire electoral process. She further argued that since the Pakistan Peoples Party is in power in Azad Kashmir, its allegations of election manipulation effectively amount to accusing its own administration of wrongdoing. “If you insist that rigging took place in Azad Kashmir, then you are accusing your own government of conducting fraudulent elections,” she remarked. Aurangzeb added that the people of both Punjab and Azad Kashmir had exercised their democratic right and chosen not to vote for the PPP, and that the party should accept the public verdict instead of making unfounded allegations. Maryam Aurangzeb also criticized the timing of the PPP’s accusations, noting that claims of rigging were being made as soon as polling began. She argued that elections are won through the support of voters, not through repeated allegations. “You do not win elections by making accusations; you win them by earning the trust and votes of the people,” she said. Addressing another issue, Aurangzeb questioned attempts to politicize a recent death, stating that the deceased had not died from gunfire. She asked whether political opponents now intended to use even such incidents for political gain, criticizing what she described as the exploitation of sensitive matters for electoral purposes. Turning her attention to governance, Aurangzeb said the Pakistan Peoples Party should focus on improving its performance in Sindh, where it has governed for years. She argued that better governance would provide meaningful relief to the people of the province. Drawing an analogy, she said that if a student fails to prepare for an examination, they cannot simply lock the examination hall. In the same way, she suggested that political parties cannot blame the electoral process when they fail to secure public support. Aurangzeb maintained that the Pakistan Muslim League (N) had earned the confidence of the electorate through its performance and public service. She expressed surprise that the PPP was repeatedly raising issues related to gunfire and election rigging, saying such rhetoric reflected an unwillingness to accept the democratic outcome. She also referred to a speech delivered by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari the previous day, questioning the tone and substance of his remarks. According to Aurangzeb, the PPP should respect the will of the voters rather than challenging the legitimacy of the election without sufficient evidence. Concluding her remarks, Maryam Aurangzeb emphasized that Pakistan’s electoral system provides legal mechanisms for addressing disputes. She said that if the PPP genuinely believes irregularities occurred, it should present its evidence before the Election Commission or the relevant election tribunals. Instead of complaining publicly, she urged the party to pursue the appropriate legal channels. She concluded by saying that the PPP’s own voters had rejected its narrative and that the party should contest elections through democratic means while respecting the mandate given by the people.

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    Azma Bukhari: Opposition can’t stop PML-N wi…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari has expressed confidence that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will emerge victorious in the second phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections. In a statement, Azma Bukhari said political opponents alleging electoral rigging would continue to make such claims, but the people would keep placing their trust in the PML-N through the democratic process. She maintained that the party’s candidates were expected to secure victories with comfortable margins. The minister said polling during the second phase of the AJK elections was conducted in a peaceful atmosphere, with voters actively participating and exercising their democratic right across the constituencies. Azma Bukhari claimed that many voters were supporting the PML-N because they appreciated the performance of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. She said the provincial government’s development initiatives had strengthened public confidence in the party and encouraged voters to support its candidates. Criticising the opposition, she said parties raising allegations about the electoral process had failed to gain significant public support. According to her, such criticism did not reflect the overall mood of the electorate. Highlighting the party’s development agenda, Azma Bukhari said the people of Azad Kashmir also deserved modern infrastructure and public welfare projects. She referred to improved road networks, electric bus services, and the Apni Chhat Apna Ghar housing programme as examples of initiatives that could also benefit the region.

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    West Indies opt to bat first as Pakistan drop Mohammad Abbas

    ByJustpaste.in

    West Indies won the toss and chose to bat first against Pakistan in the second Test at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad on Sunday. The hosts went into the match with an unchanged playing XI from the series opener. Pakistan, meanwhile, made four changes to their lineup for this fixture. Pacer Mohammad Abbas was among those dropped, with captain Babar Azam citing the pitch and match conditions as the reasoning behind the call. Two players were handed their maiden Test caps for this match. Ubaid Shah and Awais Zafar both made their debuts for the side. Alongside them, Abdullah Shafique and Sajid Khan returned to the playing eleven after being left out previously. On the flip side, a few key names were missing from Pakistan’s squad this time around. Aamer Jamal and Khurram Shahzad were both left out of the XI. Captain-in-waiting Shan Masood also remained unavailable due to injury, adding to the selection headaches facing the team management. West Indies currently hold a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. They sealed that advantage with a 90-run win over Pakistan in the opening Test, played at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. The stakes in this second Test are significant for the hosts. A win, or even a draw, would be enough to hand West Indies their first Test series victory over Pakistan in 26 years. Their most recent series win against Pakistan dates back to 2000, making this a rare opportunity for the Caribbean side to end a long wait. For Pakistan, the changes reflect an attempt to find the right balance after their defeat in the first Test. The inclusion of two debutants suggests the team management is looking to inject fresh energy into the squad, while also adjusting the bowling attack to better suit local conditions. West Indies fielded Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Brandon King, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope (wk), Amir Jangoo, Justin Greaves, Roston Chase (capt), Jomel Warrican, Shamar Joseph, Kemar Roach, and Jayden Seales for this Test. Pakistan’s playing eleven featured Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam (capt), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Awais Zafar, Ali Usman, Sajid Khan, Mohammad Ali, and Ubaid Shah. With both sides fielding largely settled top orders, the outcome of this Test could go a long way in shaping the final result of the series.

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    Cameroonian President Paul Biya reshuffles military leadership amidst prolonged absence in Switzerland

    ByJustpaste.in

    Cameroon’s 93-year-old President, Paul Biya, the world’s oldest sitting head of state, has enacted a strategic reshuffle of the country’s military leadership from abroad, issuing decrees to promote senior officers and appoint new commanders while remaining in Geneva, Switzerland. Among the key appointments, Biya promoted five colonels to the rank of brigadier general. Notably, Brigadier General Raymond Jean Charles Beko’o Abondo was reappointed to lead the elite Presidential Guard, an essential security unit responsible for the president’s personal protection that he has commanded since 2013. The administrative shifts coincide with growing domestic anxiety regarding Biya’s absence from Cameroon, which has extended to nearly two months following his departure on 7 June for what officials termed a “brief private stay”. Opponents and civil society groups have voiced concern over an institutional vacuum, noting that a newly created vice-presidential seat remains vacant and a promised cabinet overhaul has yet to materialise. Government representatives, including Communication Minister René Emmanuel Sadi, dismissed claims of administrative paralysis or health crises, maintaining that the president remains fully operational and continues to sign official decrees and financial agreements from abroad.

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    Punjab cybercrime crackdown, 28 suspects arrested

    ByJustpaste.in

    LAHORE: Authorities have arrested 28 suspects in Lahore, Faisalabad and Multan as part of a major crackdown on organised online fraud, exposing alleged schemes that relied on impersonation, fake investment opportunities and fabricated official identities to deceive citizens. The arrests were made during a province-wide operation by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Punjab, directed by Punjab Director Muhammad Ali Wasim, officials said. Investigators also seized 24 mobile phones and a laptop, which are now being examined for evidence that could lead to other members of the alleged network. The investigation has revealed how fraudsters allegedly manipulated trust to convince victims to hand over large sums of money. Millions allegedly lost in Lahore scam In Lahore, 18 suspects were arrested in separate operations. Investigators said the suspects allegedly impersonated relatives, visa agents, government officials and personnel associated with the Punjab Safe Cities Authority. In one case, suspects allegedly posed as both a relative and a visa agent and persuaded a victim to transfer Rs25.86 million. The case has highlighted how scammers can combine apparently familiar identities with urgent requests to make their schemes appear legitimate. Rs54.66m trading fraud uncovered Three suspects were arrested in Faisalabad in connection with alleged online trading fraud and unauthorised access to a company email account. According to investigators, a victim was shown fabricated trading records, digital-wallet balances and purported profit statements to create the impression that substantial returns were being generated. After being persuaded to invest, the victim allegedly lost Rs54.66 million, investigators said. The case demonstrates the growing sophistication of investment scams, where criminals allegedly use manipulated digital information to make fraudulent platforms appear genuine. Multan arrests expose impersonation tactics In Multan, seven suspects were arrested for allegedly posing as relatives, bank employees and individuals claiming to be based in Britain. Officials said victims were approached with various demands, including payments supposedly required for prize money, customs clearance, taxes and visa renewals. Such tactics typically create a sense of urgency, leaving victims with little time to verify the identity of the caller or the authenticity of the demand. Digital evidence now under forensic examination NCCIA investigators are examining the seized devices through forensic analysis. Financial transactions, call records and digital communications are also being reviewed to establish the full extent of the alleged operation and identify other people who may be connected to it. The crackdown comes amid growing concern over online financial fraud in Pakistan. The NCCIA’s own statistics identify financial fraud as a major category of reported cybercrime. The latest arrests underscore a simple but increasingly important warning: an apparently familiar voice, official-looking message or promising investment opportunity may not be what it seems. Authorities are expected to continue the investigation as they trace the alleged network and follow the digital and financial trails left behind.

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    PSX rallies above 181,000 as investors return to key sectors

    ByJustpaste.in

    KARACHI: Positive momentum returned to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Monday as investors stepped up buying activity across major sectors, pushing the benchmark KSE-100 Index above the 181,000-point mark during the opening phase of trading. At around 9:40am, the benchmark index was trading at 181,066.59 points, showing an increase of 961.98 points, or 0.53%, compared with the previous close. The early-session recovery reflected renewed investor interest in large-cap and index-heavy companies. Buying was particularly visible across automobile assemblers, cement, commercial banking, fertiliser, oil and gas exploration, oil marketing companies (OMCs), power generation and refinery sectors. Among the major stocks supporting the upward movement were Mari Petroleum (MARI), Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC), Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), Pakistan Oilfields Limited (POL), Hub Power Company (HUBCO), Habib Bank Limited (HBL), MCB Bank, Meezan Bank Limited (MEBL) and United Bank Limited (UBL). Most of these index-heavy shares traded in positive territory during the initial hours. The recovery came after a difficult week for the domestic equity market. The KSE-100 Index had closed the previous week at 180,104.61 points, declining by 1,325.41 points, or 0.7% on a week-on-week basis. Market sentiment had been affected by heightened geopolitical uncertainty, particularly concerns over the future of the US-Iran ceasefire and the potential impact of regional tensions on international energy supplies. Investors also remained cautious over developments affecting shipping activity around the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, both of which are critical routes for global energy and trade. Despite the pressure on equities, Pakistan’s domestic fiscal position and external-sector indicators had provided some support to investor confidence. However, geopolitical developments continued to dominate trading decisions, particularly because any prolonged disruption to oil supplies could raise import costs and increase inflationary pressures. Global markets remain cautious The cautious mood was also evident across international markets on Monday. Asian equities moved largely sideways as investors monitored developments in the Middle East and assessed the implications for energy prices and global inflation. Oil prices recorded significant gains during the previous week as uncertainty surrounding efforts to end the Iran conflict increased concerns about potential supply disruptions. Investors remained particularly focused on developments concerning the strategic Strait of Hormuz, where tanker traffic had remained disrupted amid the continuing tensions. Iran on Saturday called on the United States to acknowledge defeat, while US President Donald Trump warned Americans that higher gasoline prices could persist as long as the conflict continued. The situation in the wider region also remained volatile. In southern Lebanon, Israeli strikes on Saturday killed at least 11 people, according to the Lebanese health ministry. The casualties came amid renewed tensions following an earlier US-mediated framework aimed at easing hostilities between Lebanon and Israel. Oil prices remain elevated Crude oil prices remained at elevated levels on Monday after recording strong gains during the previous week. Brent crude was trading around $88.50 per barrel, little changed during the session after climbing approximately 6% last week. Meanwhile, US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude slipped around 0.3% to $82.12 per barrel, following a weekly gain of about 5.4%. Higher international oil prices remain a key concern for oil-importing economies such as Pakistan because a sustained increase can widen the import bill, put pressure on the current account and contribute to domestic inflation. For investors at the PSX, developments in global energy markets are particularly important because oil and gas companies have significant representation in the benchmark index, while higher fuel costs can also affect the profitability of other industries. Asian equities mixed In regional markets, MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was broadly flat on Monday. Japan’s Nikkei 225, meanwhile, gained around 0.4%. The mixed performance reflected investor caution as markets continued to assess the potential economic consequences of prolonged geopolitical tensions. Concerns over energy prices, inflation and interest-rate expectations remained central to global market sentiment. At the PSX, however, the strong opening suggested that domestic investors were willing to look beyond short-term geopolitical concerns and accumulate fundamentally strong stocks. Whether the KSE-100 can sustain its early gains will depend on developments in global oil markets, regional tensions and trading activity in heavyweight sectors as the session progresses.