Islamabad, Feb 20: Pakistan’s campaign in the Asian Men’s Snooker Championship suffered a major blow as Mohammad Asif and Shahid Aftab crashed out in the quarter-finals, marking the end of the country’s journey in the men’s event. Asif’s exit came in a nail-biting 4-3 loss to Iran’s Amir Sarkosh. The match was an intense affair, with Asif staging a strong comeback after an early setback, even registering a century break. The battle remained evenly poised at 3-3, but Sarkosh, who had earlier eliminated Mohammad Sajjad, held his nerve in the decisive frame to book his place in the semi-finals.
Author: Iqra Khan
Islamabad, Feb 20: In a groundbreaking discovery, archaeologists have unearthed the long-lost tomb of King Thutmose II near Luxor, marking the first royal burial site uncovered in Egypt in over a century. The Egyptian-British excavation team, working west of the Valley of the Kings, has now concluded the search for the final missing tomb of Egypt’s 18th dynasty pharaohs, according to an announcement by Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. The significance of this find cannot be overstated, as it is the first royal tomb discovery since King Tutankhamun’s legendary tomb in 1922. The identification of the burial site was…
Islamabad, Feb 20: Ilia Topuria’s meteoric rise in the UFC has taken another dramatic turn as the featherweight champion has officially vacated his title, setting the stage for his long-anticipated move to the lightweight division. The announcement coincided with the confirmation of the UFC 314 fight card, scheduled for April 12, 2025, in Miami, Florida. Topuria, who captured the 145-pound title in dominant fashion, has opted not to defend his belt, citing the increasing difficulty of cutting weight and his desire for fresh challenges. His departure paves the way for a featherweight title showdown between former champion Alexander Volkanovski and…
Islamabad, Feb 20: The shift towards digital solutions in Sindh’s driving license system is gaining momentum, as more citizens are embracing the convenience of online services. DIG Licensing Iqbal Dara revealed that a significant number of people are now opting for the online platform to obtain learner permits, renew driving licenses, and even secure international driving permits. According to official figures, approximately 100,000 people have successfully acquired learner licenses through the digital system. In the last five months alone, 4,160 permanent driving licenses were renewed online, while 3,720 citizens obtained international driving permits via the digital platform. The response has…
Islamabad, Feb 20: Pakistan is on the brink of a major transportation crisis as oil tankers and goods transport associations have issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the government, demanding immediate action on the concerns raised by the Balochistan Goods Truck Trailer Owners Association. The transporters have warned that if their demands are not met, they will stage a nationwide strike, blocking key highways across all four provinces, which could severely disrupt the supply chain and impact businesses and the general public. The key issue fueling this protest is the rising operational costs for transporters, with the expense of running a…
Islamabad, Feb 20: Kohat Cement Company Limited (PSX: KOHC) has reported a profit after tax (PAT) of Rs. 6.8 billion for the first half of FY25 (1HFY25), reflecting a 55 percent increase compared to Rs. 4.45 billion in the same period last year. The company’s earnings per share (EPS) rose to Rs. 35.15, up from Rs. 22.74 in 1HFY24. For 2QFY25, the company recorded a PAT of Rs. 3.44 billion (EPS: Rs. 17.59), marking a 55 percent year-on-year (YoY) increase from Rs. 2.22 billion (EPS: Rs. 11.35) in 2QFY24. Despite the strong bottom-line performance, sales for 1HFY25 declined by 4…
Islamabad, Feb 20: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), in collaboration with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cyber Crime Wing, has intensified its crackdown on illegal pre-activated international SIMs, conducting raids across major cities including Multan, Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, and Karachi. The largest bust took place in Multan, where authorities confiscated 7,064 illegal SIMs and arrested eight individuals in five separate raids. In Lahore and Gujranwala, a total of 252 SIMs were recovered, leading to the arrest of shop owners involved in illegal sales.
Islamabad, Feb 20: Pakistan’s vice-captain Salman Ali Agha has attributed his side’s disastrous powerplay performance and the absence of Fakhar Zaman at the top order as key reasons behind their damaging 60-run defeat to New Zealand in the opening match of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy at National Bank Stadium, Karachi. New Zealand dominated from the outset, posting a formidable 321-run total, before restricting Pakistan to 260 all out. The chase never gained momentum, with Pakistan’s worst-ever home powerplay in ODIs managing only 22 runs for two wickets proving costly. “We didn’t play well in the powerplay. That is the…
Islamabad, Feb 20: At least 300 deportees, including Pakistani nationals, remain stranded in a Panama hotel, awaiting repatriation after being expelled from the United States under former President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, according to the Associated Press (AP). While efforts to arrange their return continue, Panamanian authorities have restricted their movement, raising concerns among the detainees. Officials report that over 40 percent of the migrants are unwilling to return to their home countries voluntarily. Some have displayed messages in hotel windows, including pleas for help, expressing fears for their safety back home.
Islamabad, Feb 19: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has approved the acquisition of M/s. Engro Eximp Agriproducts (Private) Limited by MAP Rice Mills (Private) Limited under a Share Sale and Purchase Agreement. Engro Eximp Agriproducts (Private) Limited is a Pakistan-incorporated company engaged in the production, manufacturing, and trade of various raw, processed, and prepared food products, including agricultural and farming goods. For the competition assessment, the relevant product market was identified as Basmati and Non-Basmati Rice. CCP’s evaluation found that MAP Rice Mills holds a minimal market share, which is expected to remain low post-transaction, as the change in…
