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			<title>Petrol pump owners announce nationwide shutdown after talks with govt fail</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619513/petrol-pump-owners-announce-nationwide-shutdown-after-talks-with-govt-fail</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619513/petrol-pump-owners-announce-nationwide-shutdown-after-talks-with-govt-fail#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 18:08:48 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Web Desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Rejects government's daily fuel price review mechanism, says strike will continue until its demands are accepted]]>
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				<![CDATA[The All Pakistan Petrol Pumps Owners Association (APPPOA) on Tuesday announced a nationwide shutdown of petrol pumps from Tuesday night after talks with the government over its demands ended without a breakthrough.

Amid volatility in global oil prices following renewed hostilities in the Middle East, the government last week switched to a daily fuel price review mechanism. Under the new system, daily prices are based on a seven-day average of international market rates to align with international standards.

Addressing a press conference, the association&#39;s chairman, Humayun Khan, said representatives of the All Pakistan Petrol Pump Association from all four provinces, as well as Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, had met Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and presented two key demands.

Read: Govt raises petrol price by Rs4.93, HSD by Rs7.15 per litre for July 22

&ldquo;Our two main demands were that our commission should be converted to a percentage-based system and that the daily revision of fuel prices should be abolished and reverted to a monthly mechanism,&rdquo; he said.

He said the talks had failed to resolve the association&#39;s concerns.

&ldquo;Our problems remain unresolved. If you look at the situation with the oil marketing companies (OMCs), dealers across Pakistan are currently going through extremely difficult circumstances,&rdquo; he said.

Criticising the government&#39;s decision to revise petroleum product prices on a daily basis to align them with international rates, Khan said dealers across Pakistan had been incurring losses for the past two to three months.

&ldquo;The price was increased yesterday and we are hearing that it will be increased again today. The government has shifted the burden onto petrol pumps, OMCs and refineries to escape public criticism, saying it is no longer their responsibility,&rdquo; he said, adding that the authorities were misleading the public by increasing prices every day.

&ldquo;The public understands this very well. Whether you increase prices by Rs100 at once or by Rs5, Rs10 or Rs20 every day, the result is the same,&rdquo; Khan added.

The chairman said the association had urged the government to resolve the issue in a manner that was fair to both the public and petrol pump owners but, despite every effort, &ldquo;we have come to realise that this government does not want to resolve the problems of the business community.&rdquo;

He announced a nationwide shutdown, including in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, adding that the association was also in contact with oil tanker owners, who would soon announce their own strike.

Also Read: Govt shifts to daily POL pricing amid global headwinds 

He urged the government to listen to the concerns of the business community, describing petrol pump owners as the biggest stakeholders in the petroleum industry. He lamented that whenever the government formulated a policy, petrol pump owners were not taken into consultation.

He said the shutdown would continue until all of the association&#39;s demands were accepted.

Earlier, talks between the government and the association failed to produce a breakthrough, with both sides ending the meeting without any progress.

In a video message, association leader Nauman Butt said negotiations with the petroleum minister had failed to yield any positive outcome, while discussions on dealers&#39; margins and the implementation of daily fuel price revisions also remained inconclusive.

He said the association had decided to shut petrol pumps across the country from midnight on July 22 and would continue the nationwide strike until its demands were accepted.

The association directed all petrol pump owners to participate in the strike fully and appealed to them to keep their outlets closed from midnight on July 22.

Read More: Daily fuel revisions trigger commuting chaos

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance announced its support for the strike called by the association.

In a statement, the alliance&#39;s president, Malik Shehzad Awan, urged the federal government to accept what he described as the legitimate demands of the All Pakistan Petrol Pump Association and the Petroleum Dealers Association.

Awan said transporters, petrol pump owners and the dealers&#39; association were heading towards a nationwide strike due to what he called the federal government&#39;s flawed policies.

He also rejected the government&#39;s decision to revise petroleum product prices daily.

&ldquo;The strike by the All Pakistan Petrol Pump Owners Association and the Petroleum Dealers Association will bring our transport operations to a halt,&rdquo; he said.

He urged the federal government to &ldquo;come to its senses&rdquo; and make decisions after taking stakeholders into confidence.

Awan also said the federal and provincial governments were providing no relief to goods transporters.]]>
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			<title>Trump says US will strike reported Iranian nuclear site at Pickaxe Mountain 'very heavily'</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619420/houthis-announce-saudi-naval-blockade-threatening-new-front-in-us-iran-war</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619420/houthis-announce-saudi-naval-blockade-threatening-new-front-in-us-iran-war#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 04:54:00 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Saudi crude tankers turn back as Houthis open new front in US-Iran war]]>
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				<![CDATA[US President Donald Trump has said the US will be hitting the Pickaxe Mountain area, located near Iran&#39;s heavily damaged Natanz uranium enrichment facility, &quot;very heavily, pretty soon.&quot;





Linked to Iran&#39;s nuclear programme, Pickaxe Mountain is a heavily fortified site that hosts two deeply buried tunnel complexes.

Trump had threatened to attack the site last week, saying the US was &quot;going to take out Pickaxe Mountain.&quot; He also said on Tuesday that Tehran wanted to &quot;desperately meet.&quot; &quot;Until they&#39;re ready to meet in a meaningful way, we have no interest,&quot; he added.

US ready to respond if Houthis impose blockade, says Trump

Trump was asked about the Iran-backed Houthi&#39;s threats to shipping in the Red Sea. If the group follows through on its threats of a naval blockade, &quot;we&#39;ll just have to take care of business,&quot; he said during the Lebanese President Joseph Aoun&#39;s visit to the White House.

The US president vowed to help the Middle East country which he said has been &quot;very badly treated.&quot; &quot;We&#39;re going to have it properly treated, and treated with respect that it deserves,&quot; Trump said. &quot;There&#39;s a Hezbollah problem, but we&#39;ve done some things that I think the world will take notice.&quot;

The Lebanese leader thanked Trump for the &quot;historic achievement&quot; in signing a Lebanon-Israel framework. &quot;I&#39;ve been looking forward to this visit for a long time,&quot; Aoun said, adding that &quot;it&#39;s about time for Lebanon and the whole region to be stable and secure.&quot;

Trump said he would speak to Hezbollah if Aoun wanted him to. &quot;I would speak to Hezbollah. I speak to everybody. I&#39;ll speak to people that a lot of people think I shouldn&#39;t be speaking to, and things work out,&quot; he said.

In June, Trump said he spoke with Hezbollah through intermediaries ​and secured a pledge that it would not attack Israel.

Before then, no US ​president had ever spoken with Hezbollah, with or without intermediaries. The ​group is designated as a terrorist organization by the US.

Saudi crude tankers turn back as Houthis open new front in US-Iran war

Two oil tankers carrying Saudi crude to Asia reversed course in the Red Sea on ​Tuesday after threats from Yemen&#39;s Iran-aligned Houthis, as a widening Middle East conflict disrupted shipping through two of the world&#39;s most critical energy chokepoints.

The diversions came as US forces bombed targets in the &zwnj;south and west of Iran overnight, Tehran targeted US sites in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan and at least one tanker was hit in the Strait of Hormuz in the latest escalation of violence that has all but wrecked an interim peace deal signed last month.

The two tankers, which loaded Saudi crude bound for China and India this week, made U-turns and were headed toward the Suez, shipping ​data on LSEG showed. However, sources said Saudi Arabia&#39;s Red Sea port of Yanbu was operating normally.

Oil prices gained around 2% on the latest attacks, but signs that Tehran and Washington want to resume diplomacy helped to limit price ​rises.

US Central Command said it had hit Iranian military command centers, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and air defence systems in its latest round of strikes.

Explosions were heard ⁠around the city of Shiraz in southern Iran, state media said. Konarak and Chabahar on the southern coast, the city of Khorramabad and a civilian site outside the city of Abdanan, both in the west, all came under attack, media ​reports said. Later the IRNA news agency quoted an official in Khorramabad as saying no enemy attack had taken place there.

Fifty civilians have been killed and 500 wounded in the recent US strikes on Iran, a health ministry official said.

Iran&#39;s late supreme leader urged end to &#39;no war, no peace&#39; state with US, Pezeshkian says

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Tuesday that late supreme leader Ali Khamenei had repeatedly stressed in private meetings the need to end the state of &ldquo;no war, no peace&rdquo; between Iran and the US.

Khamenei, who ruled Iran for nearly 36 years, was killed in a US-Israeli strike on Feb. 28 at the start of a joint offensive by Washington and Tel Aviv against Tehran.

Speaking at a ceremony marking National Industry and Mining Day, Pezeshkian praised Khamenei&#39;s leadership in shaping Iran&#39;s strategic direction, particularly on ending the uncertain situation between conflict and peace, according to the official IRNA news agency.

&ldquo;The supreme leader emphasised in private meetings the necessity of ending the state of &#39;no war, no peace,&#39;&rdquo; Pezeshkian said.

He said Iran entered negotiations &ldquo;based on the country&#39;s honour, wisdom and dignity,&rdquo; adding that the government&#39;s diplomatic efforts were aimed at protecting the nation&#39;s interests.

&ldquo;Our diplomatic institutions will never retreat from the rights of the Iranian people,&rdquo; Pezeshkian said.

IRGC says it targeted US troop complex in Jordan, claims several soldiers killed

Iran&rsquo;s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Tuesday its Aerospace Force targeted a complex housing US forces in Jordan&rsquo;s Al-Rukban area, northeast Jordan, killing several soldiers, IRNA reported.

In a statement, the IRGC said the attack was carried out as part of the 24th wave of Operation Nasr 2.

There was no immediate comment from Jordan or the US on the IRGC&rsquo;s claims, which could not be independently verified due to the ongoing conflict.

UAE condemns Iran&rsquo;s &lsquo;hostile attacks&rsquo; on Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan

The United Arab Emirates said Iranian attacks on its neighbours are a &ldquo;flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the brotherly nations and a threat to their security and stability&rdquo;, according to Al Jazeera.

The Foreign Ministry reiterated the UAE&rsquo;s &ldquo;full solidarity&rdquo; with the three countries and its &ldquo;support for all measures aimed at safeguarding their security and stability&rdquo;.

Kuwait says Iran strikes its energy, water infrastrucure

Kuwait said Iran again attacked its power and desalination plants, causing damage to the facilities, according to Al Jazeera.

It was the fourth consecutive &zwnj;day of strikes that caused fires at a number of critical sites, Kuwait&rsquo;s ministry of ⁠Electricity, Water and ⁠Renewable Energy stated.

Fires ⁠were extinguished, ⁠damage is ⁠being assessed, and repairs are ongoing, &zwnj;the ministry added.

Alarm sirens in Bahrain sound off during new Iranian barrage

Air raid sirens sounded in Bahrain on Tuesday as Iranian strikes continued to target several regional countries amid an exchange of attacks with the US.

In a statement, the Bahraini Interior Ministry urged citizens and residents to remain calm and head to the nearest safe location.

Sirens in Bahrain have sounded four times over the past 24 hours. Iran targeted the Gulf kingdom with some missiles and drones throughout Tuesday.

Bahrain&rsquo;s military said it intercepted and destroyed a number of incoming projectiles.

Five Iranian drones intercepted by Jordan

Jordan said it neutralised five incoming drones from Iran, the country&rsquo;s state news agency reported on Tuesday, according to Al Jazeera.

Earlier today, Iran&rsquo;s IRGC claimed several strikes against US military targets in Jordan, including a missile defence radar system and an F-15 jet.

Iran says attacks on Bahrain targeted US military base

The Iranian army announced that it targeted the US Sheikh Isa military base in Bahrain with drones, the state news agency Fars reported, as per Al Jazeera.

According to the army, the base is one of the key facilities for the US Navy&rsquo;s Fifth Fleet and is at the centre of US operations.

It added that offensive operations would continue until &ldquo;the enemy is deterred from continuing its attacks on the country&rdquo;.

Vessel struck by unknown projectile off UAE coast, steering gear damaged: UKMTO

A vessel was struck by an unknown projectile Tuesday about 17 nautical miles east of Dibba in the United Arab Emirates, damaging its steering gear, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre said.

It said all crew members were safe and that the incident had no environmental impact.

UKMTO said the incident was being investigated by authorities, and advised vessels in the area to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity.

Strait of Hormuz to remain closed as long as US attacks continue, Iranian media report

Iran&rsquo;s semi-official Fars news agency, citing a military source, reports that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed as long as aggressive US actions continue.

The source told Fars that Tehran would not grant permission for any vessels to pass through the strategic waterway.

&ldquo;The Strait of Hormuz is in full control of the Iranian armed forces,&rdquo; the source was quoted as saying. &ldquo;Any decision to reopen or continue restrictions on this passageway will be made solely based on security considerations and national interests, and this situation will not change as long as US threats and hostile actions continue.&rdquo;

IRGC claims strike on Amazon data infrastructure in Bahrain

Iran&rsquo;s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Tuesday its Aerospace Force targeted central data infrastructure belonging to the US company Amazon in Bahrain with several cruise missiles, semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported.

In a statement, the IRGC claimed that the targeted Amazon infrastructure in Bahrain was destroyed.

There was no immediate comment from Bahrain, the US or Amazon on the claim, which could not be independently verified.

ASEAN calls for maximum restraint, immediate halt to US-Iran hostilities

The Southeast Asian nations on Tuesday called on the US and Iran to exercise &ldquo;utmost self-restraint&rdquo; as the renewed conflict undermines the ongoing efforts of key mediators for a peaceful solution.

&ldquo;We expressed serious concern over the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East, particularly the renewed hostilities&rdquo; involving the US and Iran, read a joint communique by top diplomats of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

They met for their annual 59th meeting in Manila, capital of the Philippines, the current chair of the 11-member bloc.

&ldquo;We are deeply concerned that these developments severely undermine the ongoing efforts of key mediators and diminish the prospects for a peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy,&rdquo; the statement added.

The top ASEAN diplomats &ldquo;called on all parties concerned to exercise utmost self-restraint and avoid any acts that may further aggravate the situation.&rdquo;

&ldquo;We underscored the importance of maintaining regional peace, stability and prosperity, upholding international law, and promoting genuine dialogue and diplomacy in addressing conflicts and tensions, including the need for a complete and immediate cessation of hostilities across all fronts in the Middle East,&rdquo; they added.

The call for calm comes amid ongoing exchange of fire between the US and Iran despite a Pakistan-brokered memorandum of understanding they signed in June to end their war and reach a lasting peace agreement.

Pakistan and Qatar have played the main mediators, urging the warring sides to halt strikes and return to the pre-July 9 status.

New UK government faces US pressure over access to strategic military bases

The US will expect the new UK government to allow it to use its strategic military bases while it continues its war on Iran, according to a British newspaper, as per Al Jazeera.

Trump is &ldquo;pressing the new prime minister to maintain access to RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia&rdquo;, The Telegraph reported.

Shortly after Andy Burnham took over as UK prime minister on Monday, the US president held a call with him.

The previous UK government under Keir Starmer did not allow the US to use the British Diego Garcia base on Chagos Island to launch its B2 bombers initially, but later adjusted its stance, allowing the US to use it for defensive operations, including attacks on &ldquo;degrading Iran&rsquo;s military capability&rdquo;.

Yemen defence minister says army &lsquo;ready to fight to end the Houthi coup&rsquo;

Yemeni Defence Minister Taher al-Uqaili said on Tuesday that the army of the internationally recognised Yemeni government was ready &ldquo;to wage the war for freedom&rdquo;.

In a statement published on the defence ministry&rsquo;s website, Uqaili stressed the armed forces&rsquo; readiness at &ldquo;the highest level of combat and morale to end the Houthi coup, which has caused so much suffering to our people, and to wage the war for freedom&rdquo;.

The minister appealed to Yemenis living in Houthi-controlled areas to &ldquo;protect their children and not throw them into a losing war waged by mercenaries of the Iranian regime&rdquo;.

Clashes between government forces and Houthis have resumed in some areas of the country.

Houthis announce Saudi naval blockade, threatening new front in US-Iran war

Yemen&#39;s Houthis said on Monday they ​would impose a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, opening a potential new front against the United States in its war against Iran and raising the threat to global energy supplies and trade beyond the Gulf.

The &zwnj;escalation comes after the Pentagon on Monday identified two US soldiers who were killed when Iran attacked an American base in Jordan on Friday, while they also said they had found unidentified remains that could be those of a third soldier reported as missing in action. Separately, a fourth service member was killed in northern Iraq during the &quot;controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance from a downed Iranian one-way attack drone.&quot;

After the Houthis announced their blockade, the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said in a statement that it would respond to ​them with force, and also that it began implementing protection measures for its ships moving through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key export route for Saudi oil after the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Read: US informs Israel of plans to intensify attacks on Iran

The Houthis made their announcement despite ​signs that Tehran and Washington want to resume diplomacy to halt a worsening cycle of attacks that has all but wrecked a fragile interim agreement signed last month. Iran&#39;s Foreign Ministry ⁠said mediators had presented &quot;proposals&quot; to Tehran, signalling that diplomatic contacts remain active, but gave no details.

Oil prices rose briefly after the Houthi statement but later fell back as traders held out hope of a diplomatic breakthrough. The insurance cost of shipping goods through the ​Red Sea rose on the increased risks for merchant shipping.

Iran had been pressing the Houthis to close the Bab el-Mandeb gateway to the Red Sea if the US continued to attack Iranian power infrastructure.

A full closure of the strait would reduce global oil supply ​by 7% as it would leave most of Saudi oil exports unable to leave the region. The disruption would add to the huge cut to oil flows from the war in the Gulf, which has already reduced shipments by 10% of global supply.

In their statement, the Houthis&#39; armed forces said they were declaring &quot;a maritime embargo against the criminal Saudi enemy, based on the equation of &#39;an eye for an eye&#39;, effective immediately&quot; in response to what they called &quot;an unjust and oppressive siege&quot; imposed on Yemen by the Saudis.

Diplomatic push to restore ceasefire

A senior Iranian official told Reuters on Monday that Tehran ​had received a proposal from mediators for a 10-day ceasefire in efforts to salvage the interim deal, intended to pave the way to a lasting agreement to end the war that began on February 28 with US-Israeli attacks on Iran.

Neither the ministry ​nor the official who spoke to Reuters gave any details on the putative ceasefire discussions.

Two Pakistani government sources said separately that Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni had asked Pakistan to resume its mediation role in the conflict. He later arrived in Islamabad for further talks.

The diplomatic push &zwnj;followed another night ⁠of US strikes on Iranian cities and attacks by Iran&#39;s Revolutionary Guards on US military assets across the region. US Central Command said Monday afternoon US time that it had begun another round of strikes on Iran.



Today at 4 p.m. ET, U.S. forces began a new round of strikes against Iran at the Commander in Chief&#39;s direction. The strikes are designed to further degrade Iranian military capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
&mdash; U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 20, 2026


President Donald Trump, under mounting political pressure at home over rising gasoline prices since the war began and Iran effectively closed the vital Strait of Hormuz, defended the latest strikes on Iran as honouring the deaths of American service members killed in recent Iranian attacks.

Read more: Two US service members killed, one missing after Iranian strikes in Jordan

&quot;Every time Iran kills an American Soldier they will pay for that killing many times over! This directive has been passed on to Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Daniel Caine, and every Leader in the Military,&quot; Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday.

The war has killed ​thousands of civilians, mostly in Iran and Lebanon, part of which ​has been occupied by Israeli forces following attacks on ⁠Israel by Hezbollah fighters who said they were acting in solidarity with Tehran.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is due to meet Trump at the White House on Tuesday to present a plan on how to disarm Hezbollah and secure an Israeli withdrawal.

Israel also still has forces in Gaza following two years of war ignited by the Palestinian militant group Hamas&#39; attack on southern Israeli communities ​on October 7, 2023. Hamas said on Monday it had named top negotiator Khalil Al-Hayya as its overall leader, a move that an analyst said could signal a tougher stance by ​the group towards calls for it ⁠to disarm.

Iran says tankers exploded

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said two oil tankers had exploded after attempting to transit the strait via an &quot;unsafe&quot; route. On Sunday, the IRGC had said two ships were involved in an &quot;accident&quot; in the same area. It was unclear whether the two incidents were related.

The IRGC statement gave no details about the vessels or any casualties.

Separately, a vessel was struck by an unknown projectile off Oman&#39;s coast, overlooking the Strait of Hormuz, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said.

In Iran, ⁠explosions were reported ​in Tabriz, Chabahar, Konarak, Bandar Mahshahr and Bandar Imam Khomeini. One person was killed and several wounded southwest of Tabriz, according to state news agency ​IRNA.

The IRGC said it targeted US aircraft at Jordan&#39;s Aqaba airport with ballistic missiles, as well as military assets at Kuwait&#39;s Al-Adiri camp and Ali Al Salem Air Base, and positions in Syria.

Sirens sounded in Bahrain throughout Monday. Kuwait&#39;s army said early Tuesday that air defences were again intercepting Iranian drones.]]>
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			<title>Maryam Nawaz hits out at PPP as PML-N launches AJK election campaign</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619473/azad-kashmir-is-as-dear-to-me-as-punjab-nawaz-sharif-kicks-off-election-campaign</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619473/azad-kashmir-is-as-dear-to-me-as-punjab-nawaz-sharif-kicks-off-election-campaign#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 13:41:47 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[MA Mir]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Nawaz Sharif vows to resolve AJK issues, pledges tenfold budget increase if party forms government]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Tuesday launched its election campaign for the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) polls, with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz aiming at the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), her party&#39;s ally in the federal government, for failing to resolve the region&#39;s issues despite being in power there.

Addressing a public gathering in Muzaffarabad, Maryam promised to replicate Punjab&#39;s development model in AJK, announcing a package of welfare and infrastructure initiatives, including the introduction of electric buses, mobile hospitals and social protection schemes, while urging voters to elect the PML-N in the July 27 legislative assembly elections.

Announcing what she described as &quot;gifts&quot; for the people of Muzaffarabad, the Punjab chief minister said 10 green electric buses would be provided for the AJK capital, while 15 &quot;hospitals on wheels&quot; mobile hospitals would be launched to improve healthcare services in remote areas.

&quot;I am not here merely to make promises. I am here to present our performance over the last two years in Punjab,&quot; she said, urging voters to compare the governance record of the PML-N with that of its political rivals.



قائد نواز شریف اور وزیر اعلی مریم نواز کا کشمیر کیلئے تحفہ!

مظفر آباد کیلئے 10 گرین بسوں کا اعلان۔#SherInKashmir pic.twitter.com/Yw6oGhbuPN
&mdash; PMLN (@pmln_org) July 21, 2026


Maryam said she regarded both AJK and IIOJK as her home and described herself as a Kashmiri &quot;by blood, by heart, by soul and by ancestry.&quot;

&quot;This is my native city. Kashmir is our jugular vein. These valleys, these mountains and these brothers and sisters are mine,&quot; she declared, paying tribute to the martyrs of Kashmir and reaffirming Pakistan&#39;s support for the Kashmir cause.

She questioned why the long-awaited Kohala-Muzaffarabad motorway had not yet been completed and said the PML-N was committed to improving road infrastructure across AJK.

&quot;If the people elect a PML-N government in AJK, we will change your destiny,&quot; she said, adding that the development witnessed in Punjab could be replicated in the region.



میں صرف وعدے کرنے نہیں آئی، میں اپنی دو سالہ کارکردگی لے کر آپ کے سامنے آئی ہوں۔ کشمیر کی مائیں، بہنیں، بزرگ اور نوجوان سن لیں، ہم صرف ووٹ مانگنے نہیں آئے۔ اگر آپ نے مسلم لیگ (ن) کو منتخب کیا تو نواز شریف کا وعدہ بھی آپ کے ساتھ ہے اور آپ کی بیٹی مریم نواز کا وعدہ بھی کہ آزاد جموں&hellip; pic.twitter.com/yYGGND4QTl
&mdash; PMLN (@pmln_org) July 21, 2026


Referring to the public transport system introduced in Punjab, Maryam said green electric buses had reached even tehsil headquarters, and similar projects would be implemented in AJK.

She criticised the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), asking why the party had failed to address public issues despite being in government in AJK.

&ldquo;Some people have been coming here over the past few days, delivering speeches, airing grievances, voicing complaints and levelling allegations. I want to remind them, in all sincerity, who they are accusing. The government here is their own,&rdquo; she said.

&nbsp;



الیکشن کے دن ہیں ہر جماعت وعدے اور دعوے کر رہی ہے مگر میں صرف اتنا پوچھتی ہوں کہ جنہیں شکایتیں اور الزامات لگانے ہیں، وہ بتائیں یہاں حکومت کس کی ہے؟ مسلم لیگ (ن) الزام نہیں، کام پر یقین رکھتی ہے۔ ہم عوام کے لیے محنت کرتے ہیں، جھوٹے وعدے نہیں کرتے۔ نواز شریف نے جو وعدہ کیا وہ&hellip; pic.twitter.com/VrekSRBhvj
&mdash; PMLN (@pmln_org) July 21, 2026


Without naming former prime minister Imran Khan directly, she also referred to his past remarks regarding the numerical strength of political parties in the 2021 polls, saying political realities had changed because of the public&#39;s support for the PML-N.

Highlighting Punjab&#39;s welfare initiatives, Maryam said more than 400 children from AJK had received life-saving surgeries in Punjab hospitals. She added that over seven million people had been provided free medicines under the provincial healthcare programme.

She said the Punjab government had launched doorstep public service delivery through the &quot;Maryam Ki Dastak&quot; initiative, under which birth and other official certificates were being delivered to citizens at their homes. Similar governance reforms, she said, would be introduced in AJK.

The Punjab chief minister also highlighted several social welfare programmes, including the Nawaz Sharif Rashan Card under which deserving families receive monthly food assistance worth Rs3,000, and the Rehmat Card for widows providing annual financial assistance of Rs100,000.

She further announced that a &quot;Himmat Card&quot; would be introduced for persons with disabilities in AJK if the PML-N formed the next government.

Calling for greater economic opportunities, Maryam urged PM Shehbaz to extend interest-free loan schemes to AJK residents to promote entrepreneurship and employment.

She maintained that a strong Pakistan was essential for a strong AJK, saying the prosperity and stability of AJK were directly linked to Pakistan&#39;s economic strength.

&ldquo;Today, the issues marring Kashmir are because of that mistake,&rdquo; she said.

Reiterating that Kashmir and Pakistan shared &ldquo;unbreakable ties&rdquo;, she said those who incited people to wield batons were &ldquo;not friends&rdquo;. &ldquo;Nawaz Sharif and I want the young people to hold laptops and degrees instead,&rdquo; she added.

She urged people to choose their representatives after comparing development in PML-N-governed regions with areas administered by other parties. Referring to her journey earlier in the day, she said development came to a halt where the Punjab government&#39;s jurisdiction ended.

&ldquo;In Punjab, where Nawaz Sharif&rsquo;s government is in power, everything changes the moment the province&rsquo;s boundaries end. The roads disappear, cleanliness disappears, development disappears, and public transport disappears. So what is the difference? The difference is Nawaz Sharif. The difference is the Pakistan Muslim League-N,&rdquo; she said.

She said those whose own provinces had broken roads could not be expected to build roads in Azad Kashmir, while those who had failed to provide healthcare in their own provinces could not deliver medical facilities to the people of AJK.



نواز شریف صاحب نے آپ سے وعدہ کیا ہے کہ اگر آپ نے مسلم لیگ (ن) کو ووٹ دیا تو آزاد کشمیر میں بھی وہی خدمت اور وہی ترقی ہوگی جو آج پنجاب میں نظر آ رہی ہے۔ مسلم لیگ (ن) کا منشور صرف ایک ہے، پنجاب جیسی ترقی آزاد جموں و کشمیر میں بھی لانا۔

وزیراعلی پنجاب مریم نواز شریف#SherInKashmir pic.twitter.com/jRrZtuxFWN
&mdash; PMLN (@pmln_org) July 21, 2026


She also alleged that resources in those provinces were lost to corruption and questioned how such governments could ensure that the people of Azad Kashmir received their due rights. Urging people to vote wisely, she added: &ldquo;This is not just a decision about your vote; it is a decision about your destiny.&rdquo;

In a political appeal to the electorate, Maryam said that regardless of who became the next prime minister of AJK, &quot;the prime minister will have to adopt the Punjab government development model&quot;, asserting that only the PML-N possessed the experience and capacity to deliver development projects.

She concluded by asking voters to support the PML-N in the upcoming elections, promising that the party would transform AJK through the same governance model that, she claimed, had brought visible improvements to Punjab.

&#39;Azad Kashmir is as dear to me as Punjab&#39;: Nawaz Sharif

Earlier, PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif described the region as his second home, saying it was as dear to him as Punjab.

&quot;Azad Kashmir is as dear to me as Punjab,&quot; Nawaz said, adding that there had been no discrimination in development projects across AJK, Gilgit-Baltistan and the four provinces.

The PML-N leader was accompanied by Maryam Nawaz and former AJK prime minister Raja Farooq Haider on the stage.

Nawaz expressed a deep emotional attachment to the region, saying both AJK and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) were part of his identity.
&quot;AJK and IIOJK are my homes,&quot; he said. &quot;Kashmir is my home, and the people of Kashmir are my own people.&quot;

Expressing his desire to become the prime minister of AJK, Nawaz said he would request Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to appoint him to the position if his party won the upcoming elections in the region.

&quot;If you vote for the PML-N, I will come to AJK every three months and personally resolve people&#39;s problems,&quot; he said.



اگر انشاء اللہ مسلم لیگ ن کو عوام نے خدمت کا موقع دیا تو آزاد کشمیر کے تمام مسائل حل کریں گے۔ اگر میں وزیراعظم نہ بھی بن سکا تو ہر تین ماہ بعد مظفرآباد، راولاکوٹ اور دیگر علاقوں کا خود دورہ کروں گا، منشور پر عمل کا جائزہ لوں گا اور عوام کو گواہ بنا کر ہر وعدہ پورا کروں گا۔ جو&hellip; pic.twitter.com/wJh7CsSZbG
&mdash; PMLN (@pmln_org) July 21, 2026


Nawaz highlighted development projects in Punjab and said similar initiatives would be introduced in AJK. He said he had instructed Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz that development work being carried out in Punjab should also be replicated in Muzaffarabad and other parts of AJK.

&quot;On winning the AJK elections, we will bring every project here. Projects like those in Punjab will also be built in AJK,&quot; he said, adding that motorway-style projects would also be developed in the region.

Lamenting the lack of development in the area, Nawaz said that while the rest of the country witnessed the construction of motorways and expressways, the road to Muzaffarabad had remained unchanged.

He said his government had proposed constructing a motorway from Mansehra to Muzaffarabad and then to Mirpur along the Jhelum River.

According to Nawaz, the motorway would have spurred development in the region, leading to the construction of roads, hospitals, schools, colleges and universities.

The PML-N supremo said he had doubled AJK&#39;s budget during his previous tenure as prime minister and pledged to increase it tenfold if his party formed the government in the region.

&quot;You know that Nawaz Sharif fulfils the promises he makes,&quot; he said.

He also praised PM Shehbaz&#39;s role in Punjab&#39;s development and said Maryam was continuing those initiatives.

Nawaz announced that the Punjab government would provide 10 electric, air-conditioned green buses to Muzaffarabad, saying the buses would arrive within days.

He told the gathering that the buses were powered by electricity and equipped with air conditioning.

The PML-N supremo further said 15 &ldquo;hospitals on wheels&rdquo; would soon be deployed across AJK to provide healthcare services to residents of far-flung areas who lacked access to medical facilities in their vicinity.



میں نے مریم سے کہا کہ مظفرآباد پاکستان کے خوبصورت ترین شہروں میں شامل ہونا چاہیے۔ جو ترقی پنجاب میں ہو رہی ہے، وہی ترقی آزاد کشمیر میں بھی نظر آنی چاہیے۔ اگر عوام نے مسلم لیگ ن پر اعتماد کیا تو پنجاب کے کامیاب منصوبے ایک ایک کرکے یہاں بھی لائیں گے اور آزاد کشمیر کی تقدیر بدلیں&hellip; pic.twitter.com/XI5hkVpxxW
&mdash; PMLN (@pmln_org) July 21, 2026


Nawaz said it was deplorable that people in the valley had to carry sick patients on charpoys before transporting them to Islamabad for tertiary care. He said he had resumed development programmes for the region and planned to introduce the mobile hospital concept to save lives.

Referring to the party&#39;s political history, Nawaz said the PML-N had repeatedly been removed from office despite delivering economic growth and development.

&quot;We have suffered injustice many times. Whenever our government was removed, those who came afterwards damaged Pakistan and reversed the country&#39;s progress,&quot; he said.

The former prime minister maintained that the PML-N had a proven record of governance and development and asked voters to compare its performance with that of its political opponents.

He concluded by assuring the audience that the PML-N would bring modern transport, improved healthcare and sustained economic development to AJK, saying the region deserved the same opportunities and public services enjoyed by the people of Punjab.

Maryam criticises PPP for not solving issues despite being in govt in AJKWhile addressing the gathering,]]>
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			<title>Sharjeel slams PML-N over ‘fake mandate’ politics</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619486/sharjeel-slams-pml-n-over-fake-mandate-politics</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619486/sharjeel-slams-pml-n-over-fake-mandate-politics#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 15:28:48 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619486</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Sindh minister says Kashmiris will reject 'form 47 product' as war of words with Punjab CM escalates]]>
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				<![CDATA[Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Tuesday lashed out at Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz over her public remarks, calling her party a &ldquo;Form 47 product&rdquo; and accusing it of seeking &ldquo;political sympathy&rdquo; in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) despite what he termed a &ldquo;fake mandate&rdquo;.

In a statement, Sharjeel said the AJK people had previously rejected &ldquo;manufactured representation&rdquo; and would do so again. &ldquo;A party that has come into power based on a questionable mandate is now attempting to portray itself as a defender of Kashmiri rights,&rdquo; he said.

He alleged that the party&rsquo;s political history was marked by disregard for the public mandate. &ldquo;A party that deprives its own people of their right to vote has no moral grounds to speak on the rights of Kashmiris,&rdquo; he added.

Referring to Pakistan Peoples Party&rsquo;s (PPP)&nbsp;victory&nbsp;in the Gilgit-Baltistan elections, the senior minister claimed that Kashmiris would similarly reject Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz&rsquo;s politics.

He also criticised governance in Punjab, saying many residents still travelled to Sindh, particularly Karachi, for better healthcare facilities. &ldquo;Instead of criticising others, they should review their own performance,&rdquo; he added.

Sharjeel reiterated that the PPP believed in democratic values, constitutional supremacy and genuine public mandate. &ldquo;Our politics revolves around public trust and service, not just the pursuit of power,&rdquo; he said. He added that voters would continue to reject what he described as &ldquo;politics of a fake mandate&rdquo; in future elections.]]>
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			<title>US judge blocks Trump administration from stripping immigrants of work permits</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619527/us-judge-blocks-trump-administration-from-stripping-immigrants-of-work-permits</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619527/us-judge-blocks-trump-administration-from-stripping-immigrants-of-work-permits#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 19:26:38 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619527</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[US judge blocks USCIS policies enforcing new immigration restrictions after lawsuit by rights groups and unions]]>
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				<![CDATA[A federal judge on Tuesday temporarily blocked President&nbsp;Donald Trump&#39;s administration from stripping tens of thousands of asylum seekers and immigrants who have Temporary Protected ​Status of their ability to work in the United States.

US District Judge Nathaniel Gorton in Boston sided with a &zwnj;coalition of immigrant rights groups and labor unions that sued to block US Citizenship and Immigration Services from moving forward with a series of policies designed to implement new immigration-related restrictions enacted by Congress last year.

Gorton&#39;s order will be in place until he decides whether to issue a longer-term pause of the ​Trump administration&#39;s policy. The judge said he would rule on that by August 5. USCIS did not immediately respond to ​a request for comment.

Trump&#39;s signature tax and spending law that was passed by the Republican-led Congress in ⁠July 2025 for the first time imposed fees to apply for asylum and restricted employment authorisation for people with Temporary Protected Status, ​or TPS.

That is a designation that lets migrants from countries stricken by war, natural disaster or other catastrophes live and work in the ​United States while it is unsafe for them to return to their home countries.

The Trump administration has sought as part of the Republican president&#39;s hardline immigration agenda to end TPS for people from more than a dozen countries. The U.S. Supreme Court&nbsp;last month allowed&nbsp;it to do so in the case of ​thousands of Haitian and Syrian immigrants.

The plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed by the liberal legal group Democracy Forward argued that USCIS had ​unlawfully implemented the new law&#39;s provisions and that its policies needed to be halted, particularly one that would lead to thousands of TPS holders from &zwnj;El Salvador, ⁠Sudan and Ukraine potentially losing their ability to work starting on Wednesday.

Among those policies are ones that the plaintiffs say wrongly cut short the time TPS holders would be authorised to work by retroactively applying the new restrictions to people from El Salvador, Sudan and Ukraine.

Skye Perryman, Democracy Forward&#39;s president and CEO, said in a statement that Gorton&#39;s ruling ensures that thousands of families will not lose their ​livelihoods while courts consider whether the ​administration&#39;s policies are legal.

While the ⁠administration has been terminating TPS for other countries, it extended TPS for people from those three nations in January. TPS remains valid for El Salvador through September 9 and for Sudan and Ukraine ​through October 19.

The plaintiffs argued the new USCIS policies were invalid because the public never received notice ​and a chance ⁠to comment on them before they were adopted, as required by the Administrative Procedure Act, and applied the 2025 law&#39;s TPS work authorisation provisions retroactively without statutory authorisation.

Gorton on Tuesday declined to block USCIS from collecting the fee for now, but said the agency cannot strip people who ⁠fail to ​pay it of work permits or impose other penalties.

The case was filed in ​Boston, a venue&nbsp;popular among litigants&nbsp;challenging Trump&#39;s agenda, and landed before one of the few judges on the court who was not appointed by a Democrat, Gorton, an ​appointee of Republican President George H W Bush.]]>
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			<title>At least 12 killed, 18 injured as heavy rains batter K-P over last two days</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619458/at-least-12-killed-18-injured-as-heavy-rains-batter-k-p-over-last-two-days</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619458/at-least-12-killed-18-injured-as-heavy-rains-batter-k-p-over-last-two-days#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 11:37:36 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Web Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619458</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Provincial authority says that in the last 48 hours, torrential rain swept away people and resulted in house collapses]]>
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				<![CDATA[At least 12 people were killed, and 18 others injured as downpour battered Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) during the past 48 hours, sweeping away people, triggering flash floods, and resulting in house collapses across the province, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said on Tuesday.

The authority revealed that five men, five minors and two women lost their lives during the last two days, while 10 men, four minors and four women were injured during the same period.



It further said that 18 houses were damaged by the heavy downpour and consequent flash floods. Three houses were destroyed, whereas 15 houses suffered partial damage.

According to the PDMA, the incidents were reported from the districts of Peshawar, Nowshera, Khyber, Mardan, Buner, Bajaur, Lower Chitral, Lower Dir, Upper Dir, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Tor Ghar, Kurram and North Waziristan.

Read: Three killed in Khyber flash floods as monsoon rains sweep through K-P

The K-P authority said it maintained close liaison with Rescue 1122, district administrations and other relevant departments and continued to provide relief operations in the calamity-stricken areas.

PDMA also directed the administrations of the affected districts to ensure prompt distribution of relief supplies to those impacted by the torrential rains.

Despite heavy downpour impacting the province, PDMA asserted that water levels and flows in all rivers and streams were within &ldquo;normal limits&rdquo;.

It outlined that the current spell of heavy rain was expected to continue intermittently until July 23 (Thursday) and it had issued alerts to all relevant departments to remain vigilant.

Read more: PMD warns of heavy rain, flash floods and landslides across Pakistan from July 18-25

PDMA Director General Arif Ullah Awan urged the public to avoid unnecessary travel, refrain from visiting vulnerable tourist destinations, and strictly follow official weather alerts and advisories issued by the government.

He said the PDMA Emergency Operations Centre was fully operational and requested the citizens to report any emergency or incidents for immediate relief response.

Awan underscored that the authority&rsquo;s toll-free helpline could also be used to get fresh weather forecasts and other related information.

Electricity disruption

Separately, heavy rainfall disrupted electricity supply to 148 feeders across the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) region, with restoration efforts continuing amid persistent downpours, the utility said on Tuesday.

According to a PESCO spokesperson, torrential rain over the past 12 hours adversely impacted the power distribution network in Peshawar, Khyber, Mardan, Swabi and Swat.&nbsp;He said 71 feeders in the Peshawar Circle, 33 in Khyber, 22 in Mardan, 12 in Swabi and 10 in Swat were affected.

Power outages were reported in Peshawar&#39;s Gulberg, University Town, Cantt, Warsak and Shabqadar areas.

The spokesperson said continuous downpour hampered power restoration work. However, he maintained, PESCO teams worked through&nbsp;Monday night and restored power to 42 affected feeders.

&ldquo;Electricity restoration efforts are being monitored directly from the PESCO Control Room,&rdquo; the spokesperson added.

PESCO Chief Executive Officer Akhtar Hameed Khan said he had directed all operational teams to remain on &ldquo;high alert&rdquo; and &ldquo;ensure the earliest possible restoration of electricity&rdquo;.

According to officials, all necessary equipment had been provided to operational teams to expedite power restoration, while field staff had been directed to exercise extra caution during rain-related operations and strictly follow safety protocols.

K-P government mulls buying helicopters, drones for rescue

Provincial Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Aftab Alam Afridi on Tuesday told the K-P assembly that the government had decided to purchase helicopters for rescue operations.

Addressing the session of the provincial assembly, the law minister asserted that the government was procuring two helicopters for rescue operations and a summary seeking approval for the purchase had been forwarded to the chief minister.

During the assembly proceedings, Speaker Babar Saleem Swati recalled that the government had decided to buy drones for rescue missions in the past and questioned whether those had been procured.

&quot;If not, why were these not purchased?&quot; Swati asked on the assembly floor.

K-P Assembly speaker also sought replies from the government if they lacked financial resources disabling them from purchasing helicopters.

The recent rescue mission undertaken in Kalam was also discussed on the floor.

Swati noted that the authorities had to contact the Pakistan Army to evacuate people stranded there.

Building on the discussion, Law Minister Afridi said the authorities rescued two people trapped and wounded in the flash floods in Kalam, whereas the dead bodies of the other two had also been recovered.

He noted that the affectees in Kalam were &quot;all non-residents&quot;.

NDMA monsoon damage report, PMD weather warning

According to the National Disaster Management Authority&#39;s (NDMA&#39;s) report released last week, at least 38 people have been killed and 120 injured since the onset of the monsoon season on June 26, with K-P recording the highest death toll of 23.

The NDMA said house collapses remained the leading cause of monsoon-related deaths, accounting for 65.8% of all fatalities. Lightning strikes were responsible for 15.8% of deaths, followed by flash floods at 7.9%. Incidents involving solar panels and drowning each accounted for 2.6% of fatalities, while falling trees and electrocution were responsible for 2.6% each.

Meanwhile, the PMD warned that monsoon activity was expected to intensify across large parts of the country from July 18, with widespread rain, windstorms, and thunderstorms forecast through July 25, raising the risk of flash floods, urban flooding, and landslides.

The PMD said that windstorms and lightning &quot;may damage weak structures (solar panels, electric poles, billboards, etc.)&quot; during the forecast period. It also cautioned that landslides could occur in vulnerable areas of upper K-P, Murree, Galiyat, and Kashmir, while flash flooding is likely in local streams and nullahs across K-P, northeastern Punjab, Islamabad, G-B, the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan, and northeastern Balochistan during periods of heavy rainfall.]]>
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			<title>AJK elections to be held in three phases from July 27: election commissioner</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619445/ajk-elections-to-be-held-in-three-phases-from-july-27-election-commissioner</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619445/ajk-elections-to-be-held-in-three-phases-from-july-27-election-commissioner#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 09:37:01 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Waqas Ahmad]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Azad Jammu &amp; Kashmir]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619445</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Says elections will be held under the supervision of the armed forces]]>
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				<![CDATA[Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Chief Election Commissioner Ghulam Mustafa Mughal announced on Tuesday that the upcoming AJK elections would begin on July 27 as scheduled, but polling would now be held in three phases across different divisions, with the armed forces deployed to oversee the electoral process.

&quot;Under the revised schedule, polling in Mirpur Division will be held on July 27, while Muzaffarabad Division and the 12 refugee constituencies will go to the polls on August 2. Elections in Poonch Division will take place on August 10,&quot; Mughal said while speaking at a press conference in Muzaffarabad.

He further said that the elections would be held under the supervision of the armed forces.

The announcement came at a politically charged time, with election campaigns entering their final week and authorities racing to complete logistical and security preparations for one of the most closely watched elections in the region.

A day earlier, AJK&nbsp;took a significant step towards its July 27 Legislative Assembly elections as advance polling for government employees on election duty concluded peacefully in eight districts, with an overwhelming voter turnout and election authorities declaring themselves fully prepared to conduct what they pledged would be free, fair and transparent elections.

The special polling exercise,&nbsp;regarded as the election commission&#39;s first major test ahead of polling day, was held in all districts except Rawalakot and Sudhnoti, where voting was postponed because of security concerns. Despite the exceptions, officials described the process as smooth, orderly and incident-free, with voter turnout exceeding 80 per cent in almost every district where polling took place.

With less than a week remaining before polling, both the PML-N and PPP have stepped up their campaigns with senior national leaders making high-profile appearances in a bid to galvanise supporters and vote banks ahead of the contest for the 45-member AJK Legislative Assembly.

Read: Over 80% turnout in AJK advance vote

Background

The recent unrest and deadly clashes broke out in areas, including Rawalakot, where the JAAC had been holding a sit-in outside the Combined Military Hospital Rawalakot. AJK police allege that armed JAAC members opened fire on deployed law enforcement in a planned attack, leaving four personnel dead and around 20 injured. JAAC, however, disputes this account, claiming security forces used tear gas and fired shells toward the hospital.

According to the AJK police, three individuals linked to the JAAC and four law enforcement personnel were killed during the protests. JAAC, however, said in a statement that seven individuals were killed and dozens were injured when street firing was carried out in the dark after electricity was allegedly cut off.

AJK&#39;s 53-member legislative assembly includes 12 seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees &mdash; people who fled Indian-controlled Kashmir in 1947 and 1965 and are now scattered across Pakistan. Six seats represent refugees from the Jammu division (~434,000 people) and six from the Kashmir Valley (~30,000 people) &mdash; an already lopsided arrangement that many see as unfair.

Read More: Politicking picks up ahead of July 27 AJK elections

The region witnessed one of its most turbulent periods in October last year when protests led by the JAAC erupted over demands for constitutional and governance reforms. At least nine people, including three policemen, were killed during the unrest.

The JAAC, which organised the protests and strike, had presented a wide-ranging charter of demands, including an end to the privileges enjoyed by the ruling elite, the abolition of 12 assembly seats reserved for refugees, and the scrapping of the quota system.

Two days after the violence, the government and the JAAC reached an agreement covering 12 core and 13 additional points. Under the accord, both sides agreed to constitute a high-level committee to examine the issue of refugee seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly.]]>
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			<title>Govt appoints international bank consortiums for future sovereign debt issuances</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619465/govt-appoints-international-bank-consortiums-for-future-sovereign-debt-issuances</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619465/govt-appoints-international-bank-consortiums-for-future-sovereign-debt-issuances#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 12:59:52 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Web Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Finance ministry says three bank consortiums were selected to support Pakistan's future sovereign debt issuances]]>
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				<![CDATA[The government has appointed consortiums of international banks to manage future sovereign debt issuances under its Global Medium-Term Note (GMTN) and international sukuk programmes, the Ministry of Finance said on Tuesday, marking a step towards the country&#39;s planned return to international capital markets.

In a statement posted on X, the ministry said the appointments followed a competitive procurement process conducted in accordance with the criteria set out in the relevant Requests for Proposals (RFPs).

The ministry announced three consortiums covering eurobonds, international sukuks and rupee-denominated, US dollar-settled bonds.

The eurobond consortium comprises Standard Chartered Bank, Citibank, Deutsche Bank AG, Emirates NBD Capital and MUFG Securities Asia Limited.

The international sukuk consortium includes Standard Chartered Bank, Dubai Islamic Bank PJSC, Citibank, Emirates NBD Capital and Mashreq Bank PSC.

The rupee-denominated, US dollar-settled bond consortium comprises Standard Chartered Bank, Citibank and Deutsche Bank AG.



Government Announces Consortiums of International Banks for Pakistan&#39;s GMTN and International Sukuks Programs

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, held a virtual meeting from Washington, D.C., with the senior leadership of the consortiums of&hellip; pic.twitter.com/ZCMvG6P3TW
&mdash; Ministry of Finance, Government of Pakistan (@Financegovpk) July 21, 2026


&nbsp;

According to the ministry, the consortiums have been appointed for a three-year term and will support Pakistan&#39;s sovereign capital market issuances across both conventional and Islamic financing instruments. Subject to the completion of the required documentation and other formalities, the government intends to utilise these structures for future issuances in line with its financing strategy.

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, currently in Washington, DC, held a virtual meeting with senior executives of the selected consortiums, marking the commencement of the government&#39;s strategic partnership with the financial institutions, the ministry said.

The ministry said the first-time inclusion of MUFG Securities Asia Limited and Mashreq Bank broadens Pakistan&#39;s engagement with leading international financial institutions.

It added that improving macroeconomic indicators, fiscal consolidation, stronger external buffers, progress on structural reforms and narrowing sovereign credit spreads had strengthened investor confidence and improved Pakistan&#39;s prospects of re-entering international capital markets.

The initiative is intended to diversify Pakistan&#39;s investor base, optimise borrowing costs and strengthen the country&#39;s long-term presence in global debt markets, the ministry said.

&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>PM launches AI-powered system to digitise governance, track official directives</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619475/pm-launches-ai-powered-system-to-digitise-governance-track-official-directives</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619475/pm-launches-ai-powered-system-to-digitise-governance-track-official-directives#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 13:43:40 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[News Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619475</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[AI-based PMOS aims to digitise governance and improve implementation of the prime minister's directives]]>
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				<![CDATA[Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday launched the Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based Prime Minister&#39;s Office System (PMOS), describing it as a digital platform designed to modernise governance by tracking and monitoring the implementation of directives issued by the prime minister, the PM&#39;s Office posted on X.

Addressing the launch ceremony at the Prime Minister&#39;s Office, Shehbaz directed all relevant authorities to ensure the immediate and full implementation of the AI-powered system, saying traditional paper-based workflows would be replaced by digital processes.

&quot;From today onwards, I will not expect any of you with a file in your hands. Everything will be discussed through this mechanism,&quot; the prime minister said, according to the PMO. He also praised IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja and the secretary of the Ministry of Information Technology for their efforts in developing and operationalising the platform.

The prime minister urged all ministries and government departments to adopt the system, saying it would improve governance and public service delivery. &quot;This would make service delivery easier,&quot; he said.

According to the PMO, the prime minister was given a comprehensive briefing on the AI-powered platform and its objectives during the ceremony.



Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, today, launched the Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based Prime Minister Office System (PMOS), describing it as a transformative digital platform that will modernise governance by recording, communicating, monitoring and tracking every directive issued&hellip; pic.twitter.com/Ik3Zr1LrXE
&mdash; Prime Minister&#39;s Office (@PakPMO) July 21, 2026


Officials informed the meeting that PMOS is the first government platform in Pakistan to integrate artificial intelligence as a core component of decision-making and implementation monitoring, making it a key initiative in the federal government&#39;s digital transformation, the PMO said.

According to the briefing, the platform has been developed at the centre of government to ensure the efficient communication of the prime minister&#39;s directives across ministries and departments while enabling their timely implementation in line with defined quality standards.

The PMO said the system also serves as a secure, technology-driven decision-support platform by integrating analytics and structured information within a protected IT environment.

Officials further said PMOS would enable continuous policy calibration by helping the government make more effective use of technological, human and financial resources to improve economic outcomes.

According to the statement, the government plans to embed governance reforms at the PMO before extending the platform across the wider federal administrative structure.

At the heart of PMOS is a comprehensive digital repository that records every directive issued by the prime minister together with its complete implementation trail, making the platform both an institutional knowledge base and a permanent record of government decision-making, it added.]]>
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			<title>Pentagon slow to disclose US troop injuries in Iran conflict: CNN</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619459/pentagon-slow-to-disclose-us-troop-injuries-in-iran-conflict</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619459/pentagon-slow-to-disclose-us-troop-injuries-in-iran-conflict#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 11:42:00 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Web Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Report says casualty data lags by weeks as Pentagon cites operational security concerns, delayed medical reviews]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Pentagon has been slow to publicly disclose injuries sustained by US troops during the ongoing conflict with Iran, with casualty figures often appearing days or weeks after incidents, according to a CNN report.

The report said that while US Central Command (CENTCOM) initially provided periodic updates on troop injuries earlier in the conflict, it has stopped regularly disclosing non-fatal casualties in recent months. As a result, the Defence Casualty Analysis System (DCAS) has become the primary official source for casualty figures, although CNN said the database appears to lag behind events.

According to the report, a Pentagon official said that &ldquo;it can take several days or even weeks for an injury to be documented in military systems&rdquo; because of medical evaluation and review requirements, but maintained that the DCAS database is &ldquo;regularly updated.&rdquo;

Read More: IRGC says it targeted US troop complex in Jordan, claims several soldiers killed

According to the report, since the US-Iran memorandum of understanding signed in mid-June, the DCAS database had recorded one new US fatality as of Monday afternoon. The casualty was identified as Navy Cmdr Gabriel Edwards, a helicopter pilot who was lost at sea in the Arabian Sea on July 1. The system also listed 14 newly wounded troops, matching figures included in a Friday update.

CNN reported that casualty entries appeared to be uploaded irregularly and often in batches. It said one Air Force member was added to the wounded list in a July 13 update, while 10 soldiers and three sailors were listed as wounded in a July 17 update.

The report added that after its original story was published, the DCAS website received a second update on July 20 recording four additional soldier deaths and 20 more wounded troops.



While nearly 100 service members were deemed to have some degree of injury since July 7, 2026, 96% have returned duty. They are determined to get back in the fight.

The vast majority of injuries experienced were minor concussions. Further updates will be posted on the Defense&hellip; https://t.co/mWczpvwGSQ
&mdash; Sean Parnell (@SeanParnellASW) July 20, 2026


However, CNN reported that Pentagon chief spokesperson Sean Parnell indicated the official database still did not reflect the full extent of injuries. In a post on X on Monday afternoon, Parnell said &ldquo;nearly 100 service members&rdquo; had been injured since July 7, adding that most of the injuries were &ldquo;minor concussions.&rdquo;

Parnell also defended the delay in public reporting, stating that &ldquo;Providing real-time information on non-fatal casualties to the media is the same as providing that information directly to our adversaries, which could put even more service members at risk with access to that quick information.&rdquo;

He added that the Pentagon and CENTCOM have &ldquo;consistently provided comprehensive updates to the world on the United States&rsquo; strikes and operations in Iran,&rdquo; and argued that President Donald Trump and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth&#39;s public remarks and social media posts deliver &ldquo;clear, unfiltered insight into our objectives and decisive actions.&rdquo;

Also Read: Two US service members killed, one missing after Iranian strikes in Jordan

According to CNN, an Iranian missile strike on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan on Friday killed two US troops and left another missing. Separately, another US service member was killed in northern Iraq during the controlled detonation of a downed Iranian drone.

The report said an unspecified number of personnel were also injured in the recent attacks.

CENTCOM confirmed one service member was wounded in the Iraq incident, while four personnel treated in Jordanian hospitals after the airbase strike were later released. It added that an undisclosed number of &ldquo;other personnel who were evaluated for minor injuries have returned to duty.&rdquo;]]>
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			<title>Fact check: Viral image of Donald Trump sleeping during FIFA World Cup final is AI-generated</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619447/fact-check-viral-image-of-donald-trump-sleeping-during-fifa-world-cup-final-is-ai-generated</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619447/fact-check-viral-image-of-donald-trump-sleeping-during-fifa-world-cup-final-is-ai-generated#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 10:12:30 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Fact Check By iVerify]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619447</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[POTUS had attended the game and awarded medals and trophies to the winners]]>
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				<![CDATA[Multiple users have been sharing an image across social media platforms since Monday, allegedly showing US President Donald Trump sleeping during the FIFA World Cup final. However, the image is AI-generated.

On Sunday, Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time to win the FIFA World Cup 2026, ending Argentina&rsquo;s hopes of becoming the first team in 64 years to successfully defend the title. Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal, while Rodri was named Player of the Tournament and Unai Sim&oacute;n won the Golden Glove.

Trump attended the final and later joined FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the post-match award ceremony, where they presented medals and trophies to the winners.

Trump often appears to doze off or rest his eyes during official events, cabinet gatherings, and public appearances. He appeared to doze in a cabinet meeting, caught forty winks during a meeting in the Oval Office, nodded off at a Memorial Day event, and fell into a light snooze during the NBA finals. The frequency of these moments has prompted ongoing political discussions and public scrutiny regarding his age, health, and stamina.

How it started

On Monday, a digital music platform, Datpiff, shared an image on X showing Trump sleeping during the FIFA World Cup final with the following caption: &ldquo;It was only a matter of time.&rdquo;

The post gained 383,000 views.

Another user shared the same visual with a similar context with the following caption: &ldquo;Even the booos couldn&rsquo;t keep him awake.&rdquo;

The post attracted 163,000 views on X.

A Turkish user shared the same visual in a similar context on July 21, with the following caption: &ldquo;President of the US, Donald Trump&rsquo;s falling asleep during the World Cup final has become a subject of ridicule on social media. Why does Trump keep falling asleep?&rdquo;

The post garnered 1.3 million views.

A Chinese user on X shared the same image with a similar caption, gaining 109,000 views

Another user on Instagram shared the same image with the following caption: &ldquo;Trump getting dragged by the world is a beautiful way to start the week.&rdquo;

The image was liked by 298,000 users.

A user on Threads also shared the same image with the caption: &ldquo;Of course he fell asleep at The World Cup,&rdquo; gaining 10,000 likes.

A news aggregator website, News Break, shared the same visual in a similar context, sourcing one of the viral claims mentioned above.

The article was titled: &ldquo;Was Donald Trump Sleeping In The Stands At The World Cup Final.&rdquo;

The image was shared by several other users on Facebook, YouTube, and X, further amplifying the virality, as can be seen here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here; collectively accumulating 128,000 views.

Methodology

A fact-check was initiated to determine the veracity of the claim due to its high virality and keen public interest in the World Cup final and Trump&rsquo;s health.

A keyword search was conducted to verify whether any credible US or international media outlets had reported that Trump fell asleep during the FIFA World Cup final 2026 between Argentina and Spain. However, the search did not yield any such reports.

A reverse image search on the viral visual yielded a New York Post article, published on Sunday, titled &ldquo;Trump seen marvelling at World Cup trophy as he becomes first sitting US president to attend final.&rdquo;

The article featured an image showing FIFA President Gianni Infantino showing the FIFA World Cup trophy to President Trump. The trophy is visible in the background, while the screen clearly displays the Argentina vs Spain final, matching the visuals shown in the viral image. In the image, Trump was not sleeping.

The&nbsp;full livestream of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final was reviewed to determine whether Trump slept at any point during the match. No such moment was found. At approximately the 11:25-minute mark, Infantino can be seen showing the FIFA World Cup trophy to President Trump. A frame captured from this moment closely matches the viral image. However, Trump is clearly awake and looking at the trophy.



A side-by-side comparison of the authentic frame and the viral image revealed a discrepancy. In the authentic footage, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, seated behind Trump, is not wearing glasses, whereas he appears wearing glasses in the viral image, indicating that the image had been manipulated.



The viral image was also analysed using multiple AI detection tools.

Hive Moderation assessed it as 99 per cent AI-generated, while Deep AI classified it as 80% AI-generated.

TruthScan and Fake Image Detector also detected signs of AI-generated manipulation.









Fact-check status: false

The claim that a viral image shows US President Donald Trump sleeping during the FIFA World Cup final is false.

The image is AI-generated.

This fact check was originally published by iVerify Pakistan &mdash; a project of CEJ-IBA and UNDP.]]>
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			<title>Noreen Gulwani urges earning women to stay grounded, says respect must go both ways</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619460/noreen-gulwani-urges-earning-women-to-stay-grounded-says-respect-must-go-both-ways</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619460/noreen-gulwani-urges-earning-women-to-stay-grounded-says-respect-must-go-both-ways#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 12:11:26 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Life And Style Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Actor encourages young people to view their 20s as a period of self-discovery before following societal expectations]]>
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				<![CDATA[Actor Noreen Gulwani has said women should not become self-centred after achieving financial independence, while urging men to treat women with respect so they do not feel oppressed.

Speaking in a recent&nbsp;interview, Gulwani reflected on gender dynamics, saying financial independence can sometimes influence attitudes, particularly among women who have experienced years of social suppression.

&quot;Women should not be egotistical just because they are earning. It does happen because we have been so suppressed that, once we start earning, we feel that nobody can tell us anything, whether they are right or wrong,&quot; she said.

However, she stressed that men also have a responsibility to examine how they treat women. &quot;If you treat women well, it will not reach that stage. We just want someone to speak to us kindly, not suppress us,&quot; she added.

Turning to marriage, Gulwani said she has chosen not to marry until she finds the right partner. &quot;I do meet people and try to understand their mindset, but I have not found the right person yet. That is why I have not gotten married,&quot; she said.

She also encouraged young people to view their 20s as a period of self-discovery rather than simply following social expectations.

&quot;I think your 20s are about discovering yourself. Society gives you a mould: work, get married, and have children. But as human beings, we have many more dimensions to explore. In your 20s, you are still trying to understand who you are,&quot; she said.

Gulwani said her priorities have evolved over time and that she now dreams of raising a family closer to nature, away from the pressures of city life and excessive screen use.

&quot;When I was in my 20s, I never imagined that alongside work I would want to live in nature. I do not want to raise my children in a big city where they are addicted to screens. I want a place where I can take them away for months,&quot; she said, adding that she hopes to find a partner who shares that vision.

Reflecting on her career, Gulwani revealed that she initially studied journalism and broadcasting abroad before realising the profession was not suited to her personality.

&quot;I studied journalism and broadcasting abroad. It was very sensational. At first, I found it difficult because you have to be on your toes every day, and I realised it did not suit my personality. I wanted to study writing, but I could not find a degree that focused on it,&quot; she said.

She described theatre as her greatest artistic passion, saying it demands far greater energy, physicality and improvisation than television acting.

Recalling a recent stage performance, Gulwani said she had to improvise after a planned scene went wrong.

&quot;I had to burn myself on a stove, but I could not get it to light, so I used a knife instead. Then my co-star, who was supposed to apply toothpaste to the burn, improvised by wrapping my hand in tissue. You cannot stop and think on stage. Everything happens in minutes,&quot; she said.

Discussing celebrity controversies, Gulwani said she prefers not to engage in public disputes on social media. &quot;If someone says something, it does not mean you have to reply. I am very neutral. I do not care,&quot; she said.

Asked about singer Falak Shabir&#39;s controversial remarks on women&#39;s clothing, Gulwani said she disagreed with his views but did not believe responding publicly would make a difference.

&quot;He did not attack anyone personally. I do not agree with him. I wear Western clothes too, and I want the same freedom as everyone else, but I do not think replying changes anything,&quot; she said.

Concluding the interview, she encouraged people to take breaks, contribute positively to society and pursue work that brings them fulfilment. She also said she hopes to return to the stage, adding that she is &quot;manifesting&quot; more theatre productions in the future.

Gulwani has built a diverse acting career across television, earning praise for performances in Bakhtawar, Pyari Mona, Muhabbat Gumshuda Meri and Safar Tamam Howa. Alongside her television work, she continues to pursue theatre.]]>
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			<title>Sangeeta reveals why Naeema Butt was dropped from her film</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619565/sangeeta-reveals-why-naeema-butt-was-dropped-from-her-film</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619565/sangeeta-reveals-why-naeema-butt-was-dropped-from-her-film#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 20:07:21 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Qaisar Kamran]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Industry veteran cites latter's attitude, interference as reasons for decision]]>
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				<![CDATA[Veteran Pakistani actress, filmmaker, and director Sangeeta has made surprising revelations about actress Naeema Butt, saying she was initially cast in her upcoming Punjabi film but was later removed due to her attitude and interference in the casting process.

Speaking in a recent interview, Sangeeta revealed that Naeema Butt was originally selected for an important role in her upcoming film Mukho. However, things changed when the actress began suggesting which male actors should be cast opposite her. Sangeeta said she does not tolerate unnecessary demands or unprofessional behavior from actors. According to the veteran director, creative decisions, especially casting are the responsibility of the director, and she was not willing to compromise on that.

&quot;It&#39;s true that I initially cast Naeema Butt, but I&#39;m a director who doesn&#39;t tolerate unnecessary tantrums from actors,&quot; Sangeeta said.

She further explained that after Naeema started giving suggestions about casting heroes, she politely apologized, asked for the advance payment back, and Naeema returned the amount.

Sangeeta added that while Naeema Butt is a talented actress and is doing well in television dramas, she is still relatively new to the industry.

&quot;I have been working in this field for nearly 50 years. How can someone who has just entered the industry tell me how to cast my film?&quot; she remarked.

The veteran actress also said that the role Naeema lost was a strong and promising character, but she decided to withdraw the offer because of the actress&#39;s behavior. Reflecting on the past, Sangeeta noted that artists of her generation never displayed such attitudes or created unnecessary issues on set.

Sangeeta is currently directing her new Punjabi feature film Mukho, a Punjab Government-backed project. The film stars Saima Noor, Moammar Rana, Meera, Hassan Murad, Fajar, and several other actors, many of whom will be seen in fresh and different roles.

She revealed that the film was completed within a short period after intensive day-and-night shooting schedules. Expressing hope for the revival of Pakistani cinema, Sangeeta said she wants Mukho to play a role in bringing audiences back to theaters.

The film is scheduled to hit cinemas on December 25, 2026.]]>
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			<title>Indian celebrities voice support for India's Cockroach Janta Party protests</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619450/indian-celebrities-voice-support-for-indias-cockroach-janta-party-protests</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619450/indian-celebrities-voice-support-for-indias-cockroach-janta-party-protests#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 10:44:41 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Life And Style Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Diljit Dosanjh, Sonakshi Sinha express support for youth-led movement as Shabana Azmi attends protest]]>
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				<![CDATA[Several prominent Indian celebrities voiced their support for the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests in New Delhi, urging authorities to listen to the demands of the protesting students.

Singers, actors, and filmmakers including Diljit Dosanjh, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Shabana Azmi, and Pooja Bhatt, are among the figures who expressed solidarity with the youth-led movement, condemning the crackdown which entailed police attacking the protesters with batons.

Singer Diljit Dosanjh shared an Instagram story in both Punjabi and English in support of the students. &quot;What happened today was really sad,&quot; he said. Dosanjh added, &quot;Students shouldn&rsquo;t have been treated this way. I request the authorities to listen to the demands of the students.&quot;



Screengrab: diljitdosanjh/Instagram

The singer further revealed that he had been &quot;tagged as an anti-nationalist on many occasions,&quot; saying, &quot;Even now, I will be called an anti-nationalist.&quot; According to Gulf News, Dosanjh also participated in farmers&#39; protests at Delhi&#39;s Singhu Border in December 2022. Regarding this, the singer wrote, &quot;After the farmers&#39; protest, I faced a lot of backlash and legal problems which I can&rsquo;t even discuss.&quot;

He concluded, &quot;Rest, God is watching everything.&quot;

Actor Sonakshi Sinha also showed her support by resharing various videos on her Instagram stories, highlighting students&#39; concerns and alleged incidents of police brutality.

&quot;If this doesn&rsquo;t wake you up and make you want to do SOMETHING&hellip; tweet, post, protest, anything&hellip; you are DEAD. Just like this &#39;Democracy&#39;,&quot; she wrote under one of the posts she shared.



Screengrabs: aslisona/Instagram

The actor&nbsp;also stressed the importance of mainstream media coverage, encouraging her followers to stay informed by following journalists and news outlets reporting from the ground.



Screengrabs: aslisona/Instagram

Actor Aditi Rao Hydari, in an Instagram story, called for respect and a safe environment for students.&nbsp;&quot;We must ensure a safe environment built on respect, dignity, and empathy for all our brave students, and for all the determined voices seeking to be heard, with a genuine commitment to constructive dialogue,&quot; she said.

The actor added, &quot;Listening to one another is the foundation of meaningful progress.&quot;



Screengrab: aditiraohydari/Instagram

Filmmaker Pooja Bhatt also emphasised the importance of the right to peaceful protest, saying it was &quot;a sacred and fundamental right.&quot;

She also noted, &quot;Every police officer and government official blindly following orders to attack India&#39;s innocent students should keep in mind: The Constitution is your master. Power is not permanent. Accountability will follow.&quot;



Screengrab: Poojab1972/Instagram

Among the celebrities, veteran actor Shabana Azmi chose to attend the protest in person, demonstrating her support for the movement.

&quot;Declaring the truth invites the threat of the scaffold and the rope. Yet the real question is: what lies beyond the scaffold and the rope?&quot; Shabana captioned a video shared from the post.

She explained the meaning behind the quote, writing,&nbsp;&quot;The couplet reflects on the cost of speaking the truth. It acknowledges that standing for truth may lead to persecution or even death (&#39;the gallows and the noose&#39;), but then asks a deeper question: What happens after that?&quot;

&quot;Depending on interpretation,&quot; she said, &quot;it can suggest that truth outlives oppression, that martyrdom is not the end, or that those who wield punishment cannot ultimately silence the truth.&quot;





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CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke&nbsp;and his supporters began a sit-in last month demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over examination paper leaks. The protest expanded when activist Sonam Wangchuk joined, launching an indefinite hunger strike.

Nearly&nbsp;180&nbsp;people were&nbsp;injured and taken to nearby state-run hospitals on Monday, with a majority of them discharged&nbsp;after&nbsp;first-aid,&nbsp;after&nbsp;clashes&nbsp;between the&nbsp;protesters and security personnel in which police used cane charges and tear gas.

The support of prominent figures demonstrates how the CJP movement has resonated beyond politics, with members of India&#39;s entertainment industry using their platforms to amplify students&#39; voices and call for accountability, peaceful dialogue, and meaningful action.]]>
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			<title>'The Odyssey' brings in $264.1 million in worldwide ticket sales, studio says</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619453/the-odyssey-brings-in-2641-million-in-worldwide-ticket-sales-studio-says</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619453/the-odyssey-brings-in-2641-million-in-worldwide-ticket-sales-studio-says#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 10:59:31 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619453</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Christopher Nolan's Matt Damon-led epic ranks as his third-highest-opening film globally]]>
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				<![CDATA[Director Christopher Nolan&#39;s adaptation of The Odyssey&nbsp;had an epic debut, grossing $264.1 million in global ticket sales on its opening weekend, including $124.5 million in the United States&nbsp;and Canada, Universal Pictures said on Sunday.

The film, based on the ancient Greek poem by Homer, stars Matt ​Damon as the Greek hero Odysseus, and follows his perilous journey home after fighting the Trojan War. It ​is Nolan&#39;s first movie since the 2023 blockbuster Oppenheimer,&nbsp;which won Academy Awards in several categories, including ⁠directing and best picture.

&quot;There&#39;s just palpable excitement across the domestic market this weekend for The Odyssey,&quot; said Jim Orr, Universal&#39;s ​president of domestic theatrical distribution.

The film topped the weekend&#39;s domestic and global box office, according to Rentrak. It had broad appeal ​with movie-goers, with half of ticket-buyers between the ages of 18 and 34 years old, Orr told Reuters.

The strong opening performance of the film is a testament to Nolan&#39;s popularity among moviegoers. &quot;Modern audiences should not be underestimated on their knowledge of film and filmmakers,&quot; said Paul Dergarabedian, ​Rentrak&#39;s head of marketplace trends. &quot;And that passion they have for film is manifest in their devotion to Christopher Nolan. It ​really is a thing.&quot;

The Odyssey&nbsp;cost $250 million to make. It received an A CinemaScore from filmgoers who attended opening-night screenings, and an audience &zwnj;rating ⁠of 97% on Rotten Tomatoes.

The film ranks among Nolan&#39;s biggest opening weekends.&nbsp;Factoring in inflation, The Odyssey&nbsp;ranks as his third-highest-opening film globally, behind 2012&#39;s The Dark Knight Rises&nbsp;and 2008&#39;s The Dark Knight, which brought in inflation-adjusted totals of $358.5 million and $304 million, respectively, in worldwide ticket sales during their opening weekends.

Half the movie-goers elected to see The Odyssey&nbsp;in an enhanced format in the US and ​Canada, including 23% at IMAX, ​according to Universal.

Fans began snapping ⁠up tickets for The Odyssey&nbsp;a year ago when seats at select IMAX theaters went on sale. IMAX said demand for tickets was so high that more than 50 theatres across North America ​added show times between midnight and 7am.

IMAX CEO Richard Gelfond said the company had ​booked $50 million in ⁠advance ticket sales, its strongest presales ever. He has extolled the use of IMAX cameras and 70 mm film to capture the sweeping narrative, generating more buzz around the movie. &quot;It was just a well-made &mdash; almost perfectly made &mdash; movie in many respects,&quot; said Gelfond.

Most scholars believe ⁠the epic ​poem attributed to Homer was composed in the seventh or eighth century ​BC and was sung and passed on orally before it was written down. Nolan&#39;s film centers on a portion of Odysseus&#39; homecoming, where he encounters ​gods and monsters, storms and tragedy.]]>
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			<title>Sunita Marshall says minority communities still face discrimination in Pakistan</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619431/sunita-marshall-says-minority-communities-still-face-discrimination-in-pakistan</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619431/sunita-marshall-says-minority-communities-still-face-discrimination-in-pakistan#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 07:41:59 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Life And Style Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619431</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Actor says education has reduced prejudice in cities, but many minorities still struggle elsewhere]]>
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				<![CDATA[Actor Sunita Marshall, in an interview, discussed the challenges faced by religious minorities in Pakistan while reflecting on her own experience of belonging to a different faith.

Noting that life is often easier for those from more privileged backgrounds, Sunita urged greater attention to minority communities living in areas with limited access to education and fewer opportunities. &quot;I live in the city and do not feel these problems as much. People are educated and do not say anything to me, but there are minorities living in areas where people&#39;s mindset is very negative. If they find out a person is from a minority community, they still have many problems,&quot; she said.

The actor also reflected on a previous interview during which she was&nbsp;asked questions about having two different religions within her household. &quot;From my perspective, he [the host] was very sweet to me. When the episode aired, people kept tagging me in it, and I was confused about what had happened,&quot; Sunita recalled.

She added, &quot;When I watched the episode, there was a phrase, &#39;Allah aap ko hidayat de,&#39; a very common phrase used in Pakistan that many people say without much thought. He had said the same thing, and I realised my expressions were very normal because I had not noticed it. However, people did notice it and were very upset at the host.&quot;

Sunita shared, however, that she harboured no resentment towards the host. &quot;I agree that he should not have said that, and it was a lesson for him too. He also publicly apologised online. I am glad that this came out and that we both learned from the experience,&quot; she said.

The actor also noted that the incident had made her realise the overwhelming support she received. &quot;It made me realise that Pakistanis and others abroad &mdash; maybe Indians, Bangladeshis and Nepalis, whoever the fans were &mdash; stood up for me, and I was so happy. Because of that patriotism of being Pakistani, I felt support from people all over the world who put being Pakistani first, over anything else,&quot; she stated.

On public scrutiny, Sunita&nbsp;acknowledged that it remained an inevitable part of working in the entertainment industry.&nbsp;&quot;I believe this is part of our career,&quot; she said.

The model-turned-actor also shared, &quot;People are curious to know about our personal lives, but it is up to us what we share publicly and what we do not. There are people who post stories within 30 seconds of drinking tea or wearing certain clothes. There are others who post once a month just to stay in the loop and let people know they are still around.&quot;

Sunita described herself as belonging to the latter group. &quot;I do not share my everyday life or even my personal life. I post if I have travelled or if I have work. If people want to judge, they will. I don&#39;t really care,&quot; she said.

Noting that many creators had built successful careers through social media, opening doors for opportunities in other industries, Sunita stated,&nbsp;&quot;I think if you do have many followers and people are attracted to you, that is also a talent in itself because not everyone can do that.&quot; She added, &quot;If someone is doing it for followers, they might not know acting but might still get a chance to pursue it. Trial and error is a part of every field.&quot;

Further, she admitted that she, too, had entered the entertainment industry with little prior experience.&nbsp;&quot;I did fashion shows and learned. I also did not know how to act,&quot; Sunita revealed, explaining that every profession came with a learning curve.

Through the discussion, the actor stressed the importance of empathy, education and acceptance, expressing hope that greater awareness and understanding would help create a more inclusive environment for Pakistan&#39;s minority communities while encouraging aspiring artists to embrace learning and growth throughout their careers.]]>
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			<title>Bureaucrats to get Rs1.8b allowance</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619550/bureaucrats-to-get-rs18b-allowance</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619550/bureaucrats-to-get-rs18b-allowance#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 19:56:03 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Shahbaz Rana]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619550</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Approved despite austerity measures, 7% raise; second special perk in 4 years]]>
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				<![CDATA[The federal cabinet has approved another special allowance for top bureaucracy &ndash; the second in four years &ndash; and sanctioned Rs1.8 billion budget in the middle of a further extension in austerity measures and a 7% raise for all government employees.

The decision was taken during the special cabinet meeting that approved the budget on June 12, but the cabinet division released the details as late as July 17.

In the same meeting, the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led cabinet approved only a 7% increase in salaries for all government employees, including these possibly couple of hundred bureaucrats who will enjoy two special allowances, and also extended the austerity measures to the current fiscal year 2026-27.

The well-connected bureaucrats&#39; salaries and perks have been on the rise, but the rest of the public sector employees are not compensated in the middle of biting inflation. Without first strengthening the regulator, the people are also exposed to imported inflation and now daily fluctuation in fuel prices &ndash; a new phenomenon.

The name of the new allowance is &quot;All Pakistan Services (APS) Provincial Governments&#39; Cadre Posts&#39; Parity Allowance&quot;. It is the second special allowance that PM Sharif approved after he gave a 150% executive allowance to the bureaucrats in June 2022.

The cabinet also approved a Rs1.8 billion allocation to pay the allowance with effect from July 1 &ndash; a sum that suggests the allowance would be at least equal to 100% of the basic pay.

The secretary establishment division and secretary cabinet did not respond to questions about the purpose and rate of the new allowance. They also did not respond to questions about whether any need assessment study was conducted, particularly in light of the last major 150% increase in the salaries of the bureaucrats through the executive allowance.

The sources said the logic for giving both allowances was the same: that there were huge perks and privileges that bureaucrats were enjoying in the provinces, and they did not want to serve in the federal government. They said there was also discrimination in the pay structures of the federal government, judiciary, and special organisations like the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

However, instead of bringing pay structure reforms, the government of PM Sharif is creating more distortions that can be exploited by other service groups to claim the same benefits.

Under Article 240 of the constitution, All-Pakistan Services (APS) are specialised civil services whose members serve in posts and capacities common to both the federal government and the provincial governments. The Pakistan Administrative Service and Police Service of Pakistan are considered all Pakistan Services.

A recent World Bank report has highlighted how the provinces misused the additional money under the National Finance Commission award by increasing salaries and pensions multiple times.

PM Sharif-led cabinet further directed that the establishment division, in consultation with the cabinet and finance divisions, would submit a case to the prime minister, seeking his approval regarding the quantum and structure of the allowance, including eligibility criteria and other parameters, to ensure fairness and equity amongst the officers of the All-Pakistan Services who are posted in Islamabad.

The cabinet has also approved to calculate the 150% executive allowance on the basis of the running basic pay as on June 30, 2026, by delinking it from 2017 pay levels, providing another significant relief to the bureaucrats serving in grade 17 to 22.

The government had granted the executive allowance to all officers posted by the Establishment Division against sanctioned posts of section officers, deputy secretaries, joint secretaries, senior joint secretaries, additional secretaries, additional secretaries in-charge, special secretaries and secretaries in the federal secretariat, the Prime Minister&#39;s Office and the President&#39;s Secretariat.

Later, the executive allowance was extended to other service groups who protested against the discrimination &ndash; an episode that might be repeated again in the case of the All-Pakistan Service Allowance.

Austerity too continues

In the same cabinet meeting, the premier also approved extending the austerity measures taken during the past few years. However, the cabinet also approved a back-door exemption to buy goods in relaxation of its own decision.

The cabinet authorised the Austerity Committee constituted by the Finance Division from time to time to grant relaxation from these austerity measures, where there was sufficient justification, on a case-to-case basis, according to the decision.

Despite austerity in place, the austerity committee has been granting exemptions to buy cars for bureaucrats and ministers, and allowing purchases of furniture and renovation of offices.

The cabinet also approved the continuation in FY2026-27 of a complete ban on purchase of all new durables, a complete ban on purchase of all vehicles, and single dish in the case of meals and tea and biscuits on other occasions to be served at government events and meetings. But the austerity committee has been relaxing these measures from time to time.

The cabinet has also extended the ban on creation of new posts, including contingent paid and temporary posts; continuation of contingent paid and temporary posts beyond one year; treatment abroad at government expense; and all non-obligatory visits abroad where government funding is involved.

However, during the last couple of months, the cabinet has approved the creation of new positions in the Ministry of Interior.

The cabinet decided that these austerity measures will also be applicable to state-owned entities, and instructions have been given under the State-Owned Enterprises Governance and Operations Act, 2023, stated the cabinet division.]]>
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			<title>Pakistan seeks $10 billion in US backstop facility to boost reserves, source says</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619526/pakistan-seeks-10-billion-in-us-backstop-facility-to-boost-reserves-source-says</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619526/pakistan-seeks-10-billion-in-us-backstop-facility-to-boost-reserves-source-says#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 19:25:12 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619526</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Loan request follows Pakistan's Iran war diplomacy, aims to boost reserves, ease rupee pressure]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan has asked the United States for a $10 billion exchange stabilization facility, according to a source briefed on the matter, which, if approved, could provide a lifeline for the cash-strapped South Asian economy.

The request, which is being reported for the first time, follows Pakistan&#39;s role in brokering talks over the Iran war, which raised its diplomatic profile and stirred hopes that it could seek economic gains from Washington and other partners.

In the request to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Islamabad is seeking a Bilateral Exchange Stabilization Support Facility between the US and the Pakistani government worth $10 billion with a maturity of up to five years.

Read: PM sees new era in relations with US

The facility, if agreed to, would bolster Pakistan&#39;s reserves, ease pressure on the rupee and reduce its reliance on multilateral financing, even as Islamabad undertakes tighter fiscal and monetary policies in line with its International Monetary Fund programme.

Pakistan remains under $7 billion IMF discipline that has required politically unpopular tax increases, spending restraint and reforms.

Pakistan&#39;s finance ministry did not immediately respond to Reuters&#39; request for comment outside of Asia business hours. The US Treasury also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Exchange stabilization facilities are rare US Treasury backstops, usually routed via the Exchange Stabilization Fund, that provide dollars, swaps or guarantees to support reserves and steady currencies.

These facilities are different from the permanent standing dollar swap lines that the US Federal Reserve has with some major central banks and act as an international supply line of US dollars to underpin financial stability.

A 2025 Argentina package was the first new foreign-government exchange stabilization facility operation since Uruguay in 2002, aside from Mexico&#39;s long-standing swap line, dating to the 1940s and now sized at $9 billion.

Pakistan narrowly avoided default in 2023 with a $3 billion IMF standby deal and later secured a $7 billion Extended Fund Facility, but its reserves still depend on official financing, rollovers and deposits from China and Saudi Arabia.

That leaves Islamabad exposed to shifts in bilateral support and IMF disbursement delays, and that vulnerability got exposed in April when Pakistan repaid about $3.5 billion, one-fifth of its reserves, to the United Arab Emirates, with Saudi Arabia providing $3 billion in fresh support.

Pakistan&#39;s central bank said in January that reserves could return to near their 2021 record, reaching $20 billion by the end of 2026.

Recasting ties with Washington

A US exchange stabilization facility would carry weight as both a liquidity backstop and political signal, easing pressure on reserves and the Pakistani rupee, while reducing the South Asian country&#39;s dependence on IMF tranches and ad hoc rescues.

IMF-backed reforms have stabilized the economy at a political cost, including higher taxes, spending restraint and limited room for development or welfare spending.

Global ratings agency Fitch said in April that Pakistan&#39;s adherence to its IMF programme has supported the country&#39;s funding capacity, while rebuilt foreign exchange buffers provide a cushion against economic shocks from the Middle East conflict.

But deeper constraints remain. Fitch cautioned that rising energy costs and potential supply disruptions could sharply erode the country&#39;s foreign exchange reserves.

Read: Pakistan-US ties based on shared interests, commitment to advancing peace: President Zardari

Foreign investment in Pakistan has remained thin, deterred by recurring external crises, policy uncertainty, security risks, past profit-repatriation curbs and a narrow export base, while the country&#39;s credit rating remains deep in speculative-grade territory, keeping borrowing costs high and market access limited.

Pakistan has sought to use its ties to the Trump administration to address some of these issues, with economic cooperation that has so far spanned crypto, real estate and mining.

Pakistan has signed a stablecoin agreement for cross-border payments with an affiliate of World Liberty Financial, the main crypto business of President Donald Trump&#39;s family, pursued a memorandum of understanding to redevelop the closed PIA-owned Roosevelt Hotel in New York with the US government, and courted US mining investment, including in Reko Diq, where the US Export-Import Bank has announced $1.2 billion in financing.]]>
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			<title>Pakistan, China ink EV charging pact</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619552/pakistan-china-ink-ev-charging-pact</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619552/pakistan-china-ink-ev-charging-pact#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 19:56:03 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619552</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Battery storage policy to reduce 
oil imports, 
says SAPM]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Pakistan and China have signed an agreement to strengthen the electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem through local manufacturing and technology transfer, as the government prepares to roll out a new Battery Energy Storage System Policy.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan witnessed the signing of an MoU between StarCharge, StarCharge Energy Pakistan and Bahum Global Ltd, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Industries and Production on Tuesday.

Speaking on the occasion, Khan said the government is committed to transforming Pakistan&#39;s transportation sector through electric mobility. He said the forthcoming Battery Energy Storage System Policy would pave the way for an EV revolution by encouraging local manufacturing, attracting foreign investment and creating a sustainable industrial ecosystem.

He emphasised that the transition to EVs would significantly reduce Pakistan&#39;s dependence on imported petroleum products, helping lower the import bill while promoting environmental sustainability and energy security.

The SAPM said the government is facilitating the establishment of EV charging infrastructure across the country to support growing adoption. He said the expansion of charging stations would make electric mobility more accessible for consumers.

Khan described EVs as the future of transportation and a key driver of Pakistan&#39;s industrial transformation. He said strategic partnerships with leading Chinese companies would facilitate local manufacturing of EV batteries, promote technology transfer, strengthen domestic industrial capabilities and generate employment opportunities for Pakistani youth.]]>
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			<title>First PSX listing of new fiscal year approved</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619553/first-psx-listing-of-new-fiscal-year-approved</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619553/first-psx-listing-of-new-fiscal-year-approved#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 19:56:03 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Usman Hanif]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619553</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Credit information provider Tasdeeq secures SECP nod for public listing]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has approved the issuance, circulation and publication of prospectus for the initial public offering of Tasdeeq Information Services Limited, marking the first IPO clearance for fiscal year 2026-27.

The approval comes after the regulator&#39;s new management, which assumed office in February 2026, accelerated the processing of public offerings. Ten companies listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange during the previous fiscal year, raising a combined Rs18.39 billion. &quot;The listing number was a two-decade high,&quot; highlighted Shankar Talreja, Director Research at Topline Securities.

Tasdeeq is a credit bureau licensed by the State Bank of Pakistan. It collects, maintains and disseminates credit information about individual and commercial borrowers for member financial institutions, enabling lenders to assess risk and make informed decisions. The company also offers a consumer-facing application that allows individuals to check their own credit scores.

Under the approved structure, Tasdeeq will offer 150 million ordinary shares at a face value of Re1, representing approximately 15.79% of the post-IPO paid-up capital. The issue will be conducted through the book-building method at a floor price of Rs1.90 per share, with a maximum price band of about 57.89% above the floor, or Rs3 per share.

Seventy-five per cent of the issue, or 112.5 million shares, is reserved for institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals. The remaining 25%, amounting to 37.5 million shares, will be offered to retail investors at the strike price determined through book building. The retail portion is fully underwritten. In a parallel pre-IPO placement, minority shareholders have agreed to sell 69 million ordinary shares, equivalent to roughly 7.26% of the post-IPO capital, at Rs2.35 per share. The transfer of these shares is scheduled within five working days after the general public subscription, subject to final regulatory clearances.

Topline Securities is acting as the lead manager and book runner. The draft prospectus had been placed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange website in late June for public comments.

Market participants view the listing as significant beyond just raising capital. Mohammed Awais Ashraf, Director of Research at AKD Securities, noted that an SBP-regulated credit bureau strengthens the shift from collateral-based to data-driven lending. By processing borrower histories and generating credit scores and analytics, such infrastructure improves screening and supports automated loan decisions, particularly for individuals.

Pakistan&#39;s equity market has outperformed regional peers and other asset classes for a third consecutive year in FY26, supported by greater political stability and improving macroeconomic indicators. The re-rating has revived interest in public listings. Ashraf said a growing IPO pipeline deepens the market, expands investment choices and reinforces investor confidence even when raising capital remains the primary objective for the issuers.

Shankar Talreja stressed that the listing is encouraging for companies that want to access the equity market because valuations are attractive. &quot;Some need growth capital, some need working capital, and the overall impact on economic activity is positive,&quot; he said.

Zirar Khalid, who covers the credit market at Topline, explained the company&#39;s core function in practical terms. Whenever banks, microfinance institutions or digital lenders such as easypaisa evaluate a loan application, they typically request a credit report from Tasdeeq. The firm maintains extensive data on individuals and businesses and operates an application that allows consumers to view their own credit standing. The regulator said recent reforms, streamlined requirements, faster approvals and greater digitalisation have lowered barriers for companies seeking listing at the bourse. As part of its capital-market development agenda, the SECP continues to hold nationwide IPO roadshows in collaboration with market stakeholders to educate potential issuers on the listing process and the benefits of raising equity through the stock market.]]>
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			<title>KUFPEC eyes cooperation in petroleum sector</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619554/kufpec-eyes-cooperation-in-petroleum-sector</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619554/kufpec-eyes-cooperation-in-petroleum-sector#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 19:56:03 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619554</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik met Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC) Vice President Tareq Ebrahim to discuss expanding cooperation in Pakistan&#39;s petroleum sector, according to an official statement issued on Tuesday.

Malik described Kuwait as one of Pakistan&#39;s closest friends and reaffirmed the government&#39;s commitment to strengthening the more than 50-year partnership in the energy sector.

Ebrahim said KUFPEC sees strong potential for expanding its presence in Pakistan&#39;s upstream energy sector.

The minister assured KUFPEC of the government&#39;s full support and reiterated Pakistan&#39;s commitment to providing a conducive environment for international investment.]]>
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			<title>PM reaffirms Pakistan's mediation role to Iran</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619578/pm-reaffirms-pakistans-mediation-role-to-iran</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619578/pm-reaffirms-pakistans-mediation-role-to-iran#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 23:41:15 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[ Stresses peace, stability in region
 Momeni lauds Pak diplomatic role
 Iran interior minister also meets CDF]]>
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				<![CDATA[Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during a call by Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, on Tuesday emphasised that Pakistan would continue to play its role as an honest and sincere mediator and facilitator, and reiterated the country&#39;s strong commitment to regional peace and stability.

The Iranian interior minister, who is on an official visit to Pakistan, called on the prime minister at the Prime Minister House, a PM Office&#39;s news release said.

During the meeting, the prime minister shared his deep concern over the recent escalation in the Gulf region and urged all sides to exercise restraint and refrain from actions that could further destabilize the region.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the Iranian Interior Minister and his delegation to Pakistan. While recalling his visit to Tehran earlier this month to attend the funeral ceremony of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, the Prime Minister conveyed his respectful regards and good wishes for the Supreme Leader, Sayyid Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei and President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian.

Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni thanked the Prime Minister for the warm welcome accorded to him and his delegation in Islamabad. He conveyed greetings and best wishes of the Iranian leadership. He stated that he was leading a delegation of senior government officials to enhance bilateral ties.

The Iranian Minister expressed deep appreciation for the prime minister, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for their untiring mediation efforts that led to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. He also expressed gratitude for the Prime Minister&#39;s visit to Tehran to attend the funeral ceremony of late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei.

Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir

Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at the General Headquarters (GHQ).

During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional and bilateral security and effective border management were discussed, said a news release issued by Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The visiting Iranian dignitary appreciated Pakistan&#39;s consistent efforts and indispensable diplomatic role in easing regional tensions, encouraging de-escalation and serving as an anchor for peace.

The meeting concluded on reaffirmation of resolve to maintain close coordination and cooperative mechanisms to safeguard regional security and mutual prosperity.

Iranian Interior Minister Iskandar Momeni visited the Pakistan Monument in Islamabad on Tuesday as part of his official visit to Pakistan, where he paid tribute to the country&#39;s martyrs and highlighted the enduring significance of their sacrifices.]]>
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			<title>Trump says US will strike reported Iranian nuclear site at Pickaxe Mountain 'very heavily'</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619420/houthis-announce-saudi-naval-blockade-threatening-new-front-in-us-iran-war</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619420/houthis-announce-saudi-naval-blockade-threatening-new-front-in-us-iran-war#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 04:54:00 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619420</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Saudi crude tankers turn back as Houthis open new front in US-Iran war]]>
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				<![CDATA[US President Donald Trump has said the US will be hitting the Pickaxe Mountain area, located near Iran&#39;s heavily damaged Natanz uranium enrichment facility, &quot;very heavily, pretty soon.&quot;





Linked to Iran&#39;s nuclear programme, Pickaxe Mountain is a heavily fortified site that hosts two deeply buried tunnel complexes.

Trump had threatened to attack the site last week, saying the US was &quot;going to take out Pickaxe Mountain.&quot; He also said on Tuesday that Tehran wanted to &quot;desperately meet.&quot; &quot;Until they&#39;re ready to meet in a meaningful way, we have no interest,&quot; he added.

US ready to respond if Houthis impose blockade, says Trump

Trump was asked about the Iran-backed Houthi&#39;s threats to shipping in the Red Sea. If the group follows through on its threats of a naval blockade, &quot;we&#39;ll just have to take care of business,&quot; he said during the Lebanese President Joseph Aoun&#39;s visit to the White House.

The US president vowed to help the Middle East country which he said has been &quot;very badly treated.&quot; &quot;We&#39;re going to have it properly treated, and treated with respect that it deserves,&quot; Trump said. &quot;There&#39;s a Hezbollah problem, but we&#39;ve done some things that I think the world will take notice.&quot;

The Lebanese leader thanked Trump for the &quot;historic achievement&quot; in signing a Lebanon-Israel framework. &quot;I&#39;ve been looking forward to this visit for a long time,&quot; Aoun said, adding that &quot;it&#39;s about time for Lebanon and the whole region to be stable and secure.&quot;

Trump said he would speak to Hezbollah if Aoun wanted him to. &quot;I would speak to Hezbollah. I speak to everybody. I&#39;ll speak to people that a lot of people think I shouldn&#39;t be speaking to, and things work out,&quot; he said.

In June, Trump said he spoke with Hezbollah through intermediaries ​and secured a pledge that it would not attack Israel.

Before then, no US ​president had ever spoken with Hezbollah, with or without intermediaries. The ​group is designated as a terrorist organization by the US.

Saudi crude tankers turn back as Houthis open new front in US-Iran war

Two oil tankers carrying Saudi crude to Asia reversed course in the Red Sea on ​Tuesday after threats from Yemen&#39;s Iran-aligned Houthis, as a widening Middle East conflict disrupted shipping through two of the world&#39;s most critical energy chokepoints.

The diversions came as US forces bombed targets in the &zwnj;south and west of Iran overnight, Tehran targeted US sites in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan and at least one tanker was hit in the Strait of Hormuz in the latest escalation of violence that has all but wrecked an interim peace deal signed last month.

The two tankers, which loaded Saudi crude bound for China and India this week, made U-turns and were headed toward the Suez, shipping ​data on LSEG showed. However, sources said Saudi Arabia&#39;s Red Sea port of Yanbu was operating normally.

Oil prices gained around 2% on the latest attacks, but signs that Tehran and Washington want to resume diplomacy helped to limit price ​rises.

US Central Command said it had hit Iranian military command centers, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and air defence systems in its latest round of strikes.

Explosions were heard ⁠around the city of Shiraz in southern Iran, state media said. Konarak and Chabahar on the southern coast, the city of Khorramabad and a civilian site outside the city of Abdanan, both in the west, all came under attack, media ​reports said. Later the IRNA news agency quoted an official in Khorramabad as saying no enemy attack had taken place there.

Fifty civilians have been killed and 500 wounded in the recent US strikes on Iran, a health ministry official said.

Iran&#39;s late supreme leader urged end to &#39;no war, no peace&#39; state with US, Pezeshkian says

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Tuesday that late supreme leader Ali Khamenei had repeatedly stressed in private meetings the need to end the state of &ldquo;no war, no peace&rdquo; between Iran and the US.

Khamenei, who ruled Iran for nearly 36 years, was killed in a US-Israeli strike on Feb. 28 at the start of a joint offensive by Washington and Tel Aviv against Tehran.

Speaking at a ceremony marking National Industry and Mining Day, Pezeshkian praised Khamenei&#39;s leadership in shaping Iran&#39;s strategic direction, particularly on ending the uncertain situation between conflict and peace, according to the official IRNA news agency.

&ldquo;The supreme leader emphasised in private meetings the necessity of ending the state of &#39;no war, no peace,&#39;&rdquo; Pezeshkian said.

He said Iran entered negotiations &ldquo;based on the country&#39;s honour, wisdom and dignity,&rdquo; adding that the government&#39;s diplomatic efforts were aimed at protecting the nation&#39;s interests.

&ldquo;Our diplomatic institutions will never retreat from the rights of the Iranian people,&rdquo; Pezeshkian said.

IRGC says it targeted US troop complex in Jordan, claims several soldiers killed

Iran&rsquo;s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Tuesday its Aerospace Force targeted a complex housing US forces in Jordan&rsquo;s Al-Rukban area, northeast Jordan, killing several soldiers, IRNA reported.

In a statement, the IRGC said the attack was carried out as part of the 24th wave of Operation Nasr 2.

There was no immediate comment from Jordan or the US on the IRGC&rsquo;s claims, which could not be independently verified due to the ongoing conflict.

UAE condemns Iran&rsquo;s &lsquo;hostile attacks&rsquo; on Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan

The United Arab Emirates said Iranian attacks on its neighbours are a &ldquo;flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the brotherly nations and a threat to their security and stability&rdquo;, according to Al Jazeera.

The Foreign Ministry reiterated the UAE&rsquo;s &ldquo;full solidarity&rdquo; with the three countries and its &ldquo;support for all measures aimed at safeguarding their security and stability&rdquo;.

Kuwait says Iran strikes its energy, water infrastrucure

Kuwait said Iran again attacked its power and desalination plants, causing damage to the facilities, according to Al Jazeera.

It was the fourth consecutive &zwnj;day of strikes that caused fires at a number of critical sites, Kuwait&rsquo;s ministry of ⁠Electricity, Water and ⁠Renewable Energy stated.

Fires ⁠were extinguished, ⁠damage is ⁠being assessed, and repairs are ongoing, &zwnj;the ministry added.

Alarm sirens in Bahrain sound off during new Iranian barrage

Air raid sirens sounded in Bahrain on Tuesday as Iranian strikes continued to target several regional countries amid an exchange of attacks with the US.

In a statement, the Bahraini Interior Ministry urged citizens and residents to remain calm and head to the nearest safe location.

Sirens in Bahrain have sounded four times over the past 24 hours. Iran targeted the Gulf kingdom with some missiles and drones throughout Tuesday.

Bahrain&rsquo;s military said it intercepted and destroyed a number of incoming projectiles.

Five Iranian drones intercepted by Jordan

Jordan said it neutralised five incoming drones from Iran, the country&rsquo;s state news agency reported on Tuesday, according to Al Jazeera.

Earlier today, Iran&rsquo;s IRGC claimed several strikes against US military targets in Jordan, including a missile defence radar system and an F-15 jet.

Iran says attacks on Bahrain targeted US military base

The Iranian army announced that it targeted the US Sheikh Isa military base in Bahrain with drones, the state news agency Fars reported, as per Al Jazeera.

According to the army, the base is one of the key facilities for the US Navy&rsquo;s Fifth Fleet and is at the centre of US operations.

It added that offensive operations would continue until &ldquo;the enemy is deterred from continuing its attacks on the country&rdquo;.

Vessel struck by unknown projectile off UAE coast, steering gear damaged: UKMTO

A vessel was struck by an unknown projectile Tuesday about 17 nautical miles east of Dibba in the United Arab Emirates, damaging its steering gear, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre said.

It said all crew members were safe and that the incident had no environmental impact.

UKMTO said the incident was being investigated by authorities, and advised vessels in the area to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity.

Strait of Hormuz to remain closed as long as US attacks continue, Iranian media report

Iran&rsquo;s semi-official Fars news agency, citing a military source, reports that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed as long as aggressive US actions continue.

The source told Fars that Tehran would not grant permission for any vessels to pass through the strategic waterway.

&ldquo;The Strait of Hormuz is in full control of the Iranian armed forces,&rdquo; the source was quoted as saying. &ldquo;Any decision to reopen or continue restrictions on this passageway will be made solely based on security considerations and national interests, and this situation will not change as long as US threats and hostile actions continue.&rdquo;

IRGC claims strike on Amazon data infrastructure in Bahrain

Iran&rsquo;s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Tuesday its Aerospace Force targeted central data infrastructure belonging to the US company Amazon in Bahrain with several cruise missiles, semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported.

In a statement, the IRGC claimed that the targeted Amazon infrastructure in Bahrain was destroyed.

There was no immediate comment from Bahrain, the US or Amazon on the claim, which could not be independently verified.

ASEAN calls for maximum restraint, immediate halt to US-Iran hostilities

The Southeast Asian nations on Tuesday called on the US and Iran to exercise &ldquo;utmost self-restraint&rdquo; as the renewed conflict undermines the ongoing efforts of key mediators for a peaceful solution.

&ldquo;We expressed serious concern over the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East, particularly the renewed hostilities&rdquo; involving the US and Iran, read a joint communique by top diplomats of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

They met for their annual 59th meeting in Manila, capital of the Philippines, the current chair of the 11-member bloc.

&ldquo;We are deeply concerned that these developments severely undermine the ongoing efforts of key mediators and diminish the prospects for a peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy,&rdquo; the statement added.

The top ASEAN diplomats &ldquo;called on all parties concerned to exercise utmost self-restraint and avoid any acts that may further aggravate the situation.&rdquo;

&ldquo;We underscored the importance of maintaining regional peace, stability and prosperity, upholding international law, and promoting genuine dialogue and diplomacy in addressing conflicts and tensions, including the need for a complete and immediate cessation of hostilities across all fronts in the Middle East,&rdquo; they added.

The call for calm comes amid ongoing exchange of fire between the US and Iran despite a Pakistan-brokered memorandum of understanding they signed in June to end their war and reach a lasting peace agreement.

Pakistan and Qatar have played the main mediators, urging the warring sides to halt strikes and return to the pre-July 9 status.

New UK government faces US pressure over access to strategic military bases

The US will expect the new UK government to allow it to use its strategic military bases while it continues its war on Iran, according to a British newspaper, as per Al Jazeera.

Trump is &ldquo;pressing the new prime minister to maintain access to RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia&rdquo;, The Telegraph reported.

Shortly after Andy Burnham took over as UK prime minister on Monday, the US president held a call with him.

The previous UK government under Keir Starmer did not allow the US to use the British Diego Garcia base on Chagos Island to launch its B2 bombers initially, but later adjusted its stance, allowing the US to use it for defensive operations, including attacks on &ldquo;degrading Iran&rsquo;s military capability&rdquo;.

Yemen defence minister says army &lsquo;ready to fight to end the Houthi coup&rsquo;

Yemeni Defence Minister Taher al-Uqaili said on Tuesday that the army of the internationally recognised Yemeni government was ready &ldquo;to wage the war for freedom&rdquo;.

In a statement published on the defence ministry&rsquo;s website, Uqaili stressed the armed forces&rsquo; readiness at &ldquo;the highest level of combat and morale to end the Houthi coup, which has caused so much suffering to our people, and to wage the war for freedom&rdquo;.

The minister appealed to Yemenis living in Houthi-controlled areas to &ldquo;protect their children and not throw them into a losing war waged by mercenaries of the Iranian regime&rdquo;.

Clashes between government forces and Houthis have resumed in some areas of the country.

Houthis announce Saudi naval blockade, threatening new front in US-Iran war

Yemen&#39;s Houthis said on Monday they ​would impose a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, opening a potential new front against the United States in its war against Iran and raising the threat to global energy supplies and trade beyond the Gulf.

The &zwnj;escalation comes after the Pentagon on Monday identified two US soldiers who were killed when Iran attacked an American base in Jordan on Friday, while they also said they had found unidentified remains that could be those of a third soldier reported as missing in action. Separately, a fourth service member was killed in northern Iraq during the &quot;controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance from a downed Iranian one-way attack drone.&quot;

After the Houthis announced their blockade, the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said in a statement that it would respond to ​them with force, and also that it began implementing protection measures for its ships moving through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key export route for Saudi oil after the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Read: US informs Israel of plans to intensify attacks on Iran

The Houthis made their announcement despite ​signs that Tehran and Washington want to resume diplomacy to halt a worsening cycle of attacks that has all but wrecked a fragile interim agreement signed last month. Iran&#39;s Foreign Ministry ⁠said mediators had presented &quot;proposals&quot; to Tehran, signalling that diplomatic contacts remain active, but gave no details.

Oil prices rose briefly after the Houthi statement but later fell back as traders held out hope of a diplomatic breakthrough. The insurance cost of shipping goods through the ​Red Sea rose on the increased risks for merchant shipping.

Iran had been pressing the Houthis to close the Bab el-Mandeb gateway to the Red Sea if the US continued to attack Iranian power infrastructure.

A full closure of the strait would reduce global oil supply ​by 7% as it would leave most of Saudi oil exports unable to leave the region. The disruption would add to the huge cut to oil flows from the war in the Gulf, which has already reduced shipments by 10% of global supply.

In their statement, the Houthis&#39; armed forces said they were declaring &quot;a maritime embargo against the criminal Saudi enemy, based on the equation of &#39;an eye for an eye&#39;, effective immediately&quot; in response to what they called &quot;an unjust and oppressive siege&quot; imposed on Yemen by the Saudis.

Diplomatic push to restore ceasefire

A senior Iranian official told Reuters on Monday that Tehran ​had received a proposal from mediators for a 10-day ceasefire in efforts to salvage the interim deal, intended to pave the way to a lasting agreement to end the war that began on February 28 with US-Israeli attacks on Iran.

Neither the ministry ​nor the official who spoke to Reuters gave any details on the putative ceasefire discussions.

Two Pakistani government sources said separately that Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni had asked Pakistan to resume its mediation role in the conflict. He later arrived in Islamabad for further talks.

The diplomatic push &zwnj;followed another night ⁠of US strikes on Iranian cities and attacks by Iran&#39;s Revolutionary Guards on US military assets across the region. US Central Command said Monday afternoon US time that it had begun another round of strikes on Iran.



Today at 4 p.m. ET, U.S. forces began a new round of strikes against Iran at the Commander in Chief&#39;s direction. The strikes are designed to further degrade Iranian military capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
&mdash; U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 20, 2026


President Donald Trump, under mounting political pressure at home over rising gasoline prices since the war began and Iran effectively closed the vital Strait of Hormuz, defended the latest strikes on Iran as honouring the deaths of American service members killed in recent Iranian attacks.

Read more: Two US service members killed, one missing after Iranian strikes in Jordan

&quot;Every time Iran kills an American Soldier they will pay for that killing many times over! This directive has been passed on to Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Daniel Caine, and every Leader in the Military,&quot; Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday.

The war has killed ​thousands of civilians, mostly in Iran and Lebanon, part of which ​has been occupied by Israeli forces following attacks on ⁠Israel by Hezbollah fighters who said they were acting in solidarity with Tehran.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is due to meet Trump at the White House on Tuesday to present a plan on how to disarm Hezbollah and secure an Israeli withdrawal.

Israel also still has forces in Gaza following two years of war ignited by the Palestinian militant group Hamas&#39; attack on southern Israeli communities ​on October 7, 2023. Hamas said on Monday it had named top negotiator Khalil Al-Hayya as its overall leader, a move that an analyst said could signal a tougher stance by ​the group towards calls for it ⁠to disarm.

Iran says tankers exploded

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said two oil tankers had exploded after attempting to transit the strait via an &quot;unsafe&quot; route. On Sunday, the IRGC had said two ships were involved in an &quot;accident&quot; in the same area. It was unclear whether the two incidents were related.

The IRGC statement gave no details about the vessels or any casualties.

Separately, a vessel was struck by an unknown projectile off Oman&#39;s coast, overlooking the Strait of Hormuz, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said.

In Iran, ⁠explosions were reported ​in Tabriz, Chabahar, Konarak, Bandar Mahshahr and Bandar Imam Khomeini. One person was killed and several wounded southwest of Tabriz, according to state news agency ​IRNA.

The IRGC said it targeted US aircraft at Jordan&#39;s Aqaba airport with ballistic missiles, as well as military assets at Kuwait&#39;s Al-Adiri camp and Ali Al Salem Air Base, and positions in Syria.

Sirens sounded in Bahrain throughout Monday. Kuwait&#39;s army said early Tuesday that air defences were again intercepting Iranian drones.]]>
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			<title>US Senate panel narrowly backs Trump nominee to be top US spy</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619576/us-senate-panel-narrowly-backs-trump-nominee-to-be-top-us-spy</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619576/us-senate-panel-narrowly-backs-trump-nominee-to-be-top-us-spy#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 23:13:55 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The US Senate Intelligence Committee backed President Donald Trump&#39;s nominee, Jay Clayton, to become the top US spy, the committee&#39;s Republican chairman said on Tuesday, days after a confirmation hearing in which Clayton refused to acknowledge ex-President Joe Biden&#39;s 2020 election victory.

&quot;The committee just voted to move Mr. Clayton&#39;s nomination to the full Senate,&quot; Arkansas Republican Tom Cotton told reporters.

Cotton said the vote was 9-8. He did not provide a party breakdown, but nine of the committee&#39;s members are Republicans and eight are Democrats or an independent who caucuses with Democrats.

The committee vote, which sends Clayton&#39;s nomination for the Director of National Intelligence post for consideration by the 100-member Senate, came after a confirmation hearing last week in which Clayton angered Democrats by refusing to directly acknowledge that Trump&#39;s loss to Biden 2020 presidential election.

Propelled by the Republican president&#39;s false claims that U.S. elections are &quot;rigged&quot; and his refusal to accept his 2020 electoral loss to Biden, the Trump administration has sought to increase federal oversight of U.S. elections and change the way many Americans vote.

A day after Clayton&#39;s hearing, Trump gave an evening address in which he repeated his long-running attacks on election security. Reuters]]>
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			<title>Pakistan seeks $10b in US backstop facility</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619577/pakistan-seeks-10b-in-us-backstop-facility</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619577/pakistan-seeks-10b-in-us-backstop-facility#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 23:13:55 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Loan will help country boost its reserves]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan has asked the United States for a $10 billion exchange stabilisation facility, according to a source briefed on the matter, which, if approved, could provide a lifeline for the cash-strapped South Asian economy.

The request, which is being reported for the first time, follows Pakistan&#39;s role in brokering talks over the Iran war, which raised its diplomatic profile and stirred hopes that it could seek economic gains from Washington and other partners.

In the request to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Islamabad is seeking a Bilateral Exchange Stabilization Support Facility between the USand the Pakistani government worth $10 billion with maturity of up to five years.

The facility, if agreed to, would bolster Pakistan&#39;s reserves, ease pressure on the rupee and reduce its reliance on multilateral financing, even as Islamabad undertakes tighter fiscal and monetary policies in line with its International Monetary Fund programme.

Pakistan remains under $7 billion IMF discipline that has required politically unpopular tax increases, spending restraint and reforms.

Pakistan&#39;s finance ministry did not immediately respond to Reuters request for comment outside of Asia business hours. The US Treasury also did not immediately respond to request for comment.

Exchange stabilization facilities are rare US Treasury backstops, usually routed via the Exchange Stabilization Fund, that provide dollars, swaps or guarantees to support reserves and steady currencies.

These facilities are different from the permanent standing dollar swap lines that the US Federal Reserve has with some major central banks and acts as an international supply line of US dollars to underpin financial stability.

A 2025 Argentina package was the first new foreign-government exchange stabilization facility operation since Uruguay in 2002, aside from Mexico&#39;s long-standing swap line, dating to the 1940s and now sized at $9 billion.

Pakistan narrowly avoided default in 2023 with a $3 billion IMF standby deal and later secured a $7 billion Extended Fund Facility, but its reserves still depend on official financing, rollovers and deposits from China and Saudi Arabia.

That leaves Islamabad exposed to shifts in bilateral support and IMF disbursement delays, and that vulnerability got exposed in April when Pakistan repaid about $3.5 billion, one-fifth of its reserves, to the United Arab Emirates with Saudi Arabia providing $3 billion in fresh support.

Pakistan&#39;s central bank said in January that reserves could return to near their 2021 record, reaching $20 billion by the end of 2026.

US exchange stabilization facility would carry weight as both a liquidity backstop and political signal, easing pressure on reserves and the Pakistani rupee, while reducing the South Asian country&#39;s dependence on IMF tranches and ad hoc rescues.

IMF-backed reforms have stabilized the economy at a political cost, including higher taxes, spending restraint and limited room for development or welfare spending.?

Global ratings agency Fitch said in April that Pakistan&#39;s adherence to its IMF programme has supported the country&#39;s funding capacity, while rebuilt foreign exchange buffers provide a cushion against economic shocks from the Middle East conflict.

But deeper constraints remain. Fitch cautioned that rising energy costs and potential supply disruptions could sharply erode the country&#39;s foreign exchange reserves.

Foreign investment in Pakistan has remained thin, deterred by recurring external crises, policy uncertainty, security risks, past profit-repatriation curbs and a narrow export base, while the country&#39;s credit rating remains deep in speculative-grade territory, keeping borrowing costs high and market access limited.

Pakistan has sought to use its ties to the Trump administration to address some of these issues, with economic cooperation that has so far spanned crypto, real estate and mining.

Pakistan has signed a stablecoin agreement for cross-border payments with an affiliate of World Liberty Financial, the main crypto business of President Donald Trump&#39;s family, pursued a memorandum of understanding to redevelop the closed PIA-owned Roosevelt Hotel in New York with the US government, and courted US mining investment, including in Reko Diq, where the US Export-Import Bank has announced $1.2 billion in financing. Reuters]]>
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			<title>US judge blocks Trump administration from stripping immigrants of work permits</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619527/us-judge-blocks-trump-administration-from-stripping-immigrants-of-work-permits</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619527/us-judge-blocks-trump-administration-from-stripping-immigrants-of-work-permits#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 19:26:38 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619527</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[US judge blocks USCIS policies enforcing new immigration restrictions after lawsuit by rights groups and unions]]>
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				<![CDATA[A federal judge on Tuesday temporarily blocked President&nbsp;Donald Trump&#39;s administration from stripping tens of thousands of asylum seekers and immigrants who have Temporary Protected ​Status of their ability to work in the United States.

US District Judge Nathaniel Gorton in Boston sided with a &zwnj;coalition of immigrant rights groups and labor unions that sued to block US Citizenship and Immigration Services from moving forward with a series of policies designed to implement new immigration-related restrictions enacted by Congress last year.

Gorton&#39;s order will be in place until he decides whether to issue a longer-term pause of the ​Trump administration&#39;s policy. The judge said he would rule on that by August 5. USCIS did not immediately respond to ​a request for comment.

Trump&#39;s signature tax and spending law that was passed by the Republican-led Congress in ⁠July 2025 for the first time imposed fees to apply for asylum and restricted employment authorisation for people with Temporary Protected Status, ​or TPS.

That is a designation that lets migrants from countries stricken by war, natural disaster or other catastrophes live and work in the ​United States while it is unsafe for them to return to their home countries.

The Trump administration has sought as part of the Republican president&#39;s hardline immigration agenda to end TPS for people from more than a dozen countries. The U.S. Supreme Court&nbsp;last month allowed&nbsp;it to do so in the case of ​thousands of Haitian and Syrian immigrants.

The plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed by the liberal legal group Democracy Forward argued that USCIS had ​unlawfully implemented the new law&#39;s provisions and that its policies needed to be halted, particularly one that would lead to thousands of TPS holders from &zwnj;El Salvador, ⁠Sudan and Ukraine potentially losing their ability to work starting on Wednesday.

Among those policies are ones that the plaintiffs say wrongly cut short the time TPS holders would be authorised to work by retroactively applying the new restrictions to people from El Salvador, Sudan and Ukraine.

Skye Perryman, Democracy Forward&#39;s president and CEO, said in a statement that Gorton&#39;s ruling ensures that thousands of families will not lose their ​livelihoods while courts consider whether the ​administration&#39;s policies are legal.

While the ⁠administration has been terminating TPS for other countries, it extended TPS for people from those three nations in January. TPS remains valid for El Salvador through September 9 and for Sudan and Ukraine ​through October 19.

The plaintiffs argued the new USCIS policies were invalid because the public never received notice ​and a chance ⁠to comment on them before they were adopted, as required by the Administrative Procedure Act, and applied the 2025 law&#39;s TPS work authorisation provisions retroactively without statutory authorisation.

Gorton on Tuesday declined to block USCIS from collecting the fee for now, but said the agency cannot strip people who ⁠fail to ​pay it of work permits or impose other penalties.

The case was filed in ​Boston, a venue&nbsp;popular among litigants&nbsp;challenging Trump&#39;s agenda, and landed before one of the few judges on the court who was not appointed by a Democrat, Gorton, an ​appointee of Republican President George H W Bush.]]>
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			<title>South Korea promises free homegrown AI chatbot this year</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619466/south-korea-promises-free-homegrown-ai-chatbot-this-year</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619466/south-korea-promises-free-homegrown-ai-chatbot-this-year#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 13:04:58 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[AFP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619466</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Government says its &quot;AI for All&quot; plan will prioritise public AI agents offering services absent on foreign platforms]]>
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				<![CDATA[South Korea plans to launch this year a free artificial intelligence chatbot service powered by domestic technology, Seoul said Tuesday, seeking to reduce reliance on foreign platforms.

Roughly half of South Korea&#39;s population of 51 million used generative AI applications in February, according to market research firm Wiseapp-Retail.

The vast majority -- nearly 23 million -- used ChatGPT, developed by US firm OpenAI.

As the technology has spread, countries have become increasingly concerned with so-called &quot;AI sovereignty&quot; -- developing domestic models serving their own security, privacy and business interests.

A spokesperson for South Korea&#39;s science ministry told AFP Tuesday that a government initiative aims to roll out a general-purpose AI chatbot as well as an AI agent capable of more complex tasks by the end of the year.

&quot;To persuade users to move away from foreign AI services they already pay for, we need to provide services that are even better,&quot; Science Minister Bae Kyung-hoon told reporters on Monday.

&quot;We want Korea to move quickly into the era of AI agents and compete in that field,&quot; he told a news briefing.

The government&#39;s first priority under its &quot;AI for All&quot; scheme is to integrate public AI agent services that would provide functions unavailable on existing foreign platforms, the minister said.

The plan is also designed to overcome the digital divide by providing AI service for free, compared with many existing models which require monthly subscription payments.

From 2027, Seoul plans to expand the system into personalised AI agents capable of assisting users with tasks such as asset management, learning support and retirement planning.

Read More: US judge approves Anthropic&#39;s $1.5 billion settlement of copyright lawsuit

&quot;Providing free domestic AI services encourages users to adopt Korean platforms, allowing demand and data to accumulate and helping the domestic AI market grow on its own,&quot; Kim Yong-beom, senior presidential secretary for policy, said in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

A public AI agent could also help Koreans identify and apply to relevant government services, according to Kim.

The initiative comes as South Korea&#39;s AI Basic Act took effect on Tuesday, establishing a national legal framework for the industry.

New rules require labelling of generative AI content, introduce a management framework for tools that may affect people&#39;s physical safety or fundamental rights, and expand government support for the sector.

The legislation designates 10 sensitive fields -- including nuclear power, criminal investigations, loan screening, education and medical care -- that are subject to heightened requirements on AI transparency and safety.
&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>China considers tighter export controls on AI models and chips, FT reports</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619472/china-considers-tighter-export-controls-on-ai-models-and-chips-ft-reports</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619472/china-considers-tighter-export-controls-on-ai-models-and-chips-ft-reports#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 13:38:41 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[China weighs steps to stop Western acquisition of advanced technology firms, report says]]>
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				<![CDATA[Chinese authorities are considering tightening export controls on AI and semiconductor technologies, the Financial Times reported on ​Tuesday.

The step reflects Beijing&#39;s push to keep domestic AI at home &zwnj;and show that China, like the US, now sees advanced AI as a critical national asset requiring controls.

Earlier this month, Reuters had&nbsp;exclusively reported&nbsp;that Chinese authorities had earlier ​held meetings with top tech firms about potentially restricting overseas access ​to China&#39;s most advanced AI models, including those yet to ⁠be released.

Regulators led by China&#39;s Ministry of Commerce have been consulting top ​homegrown AI and chipmaking companies on how to stop China&rsquo;s advanced technologies and ​leading start-ups from being acquired by the west, the report said, citing two people involved in the discussions.

The Commerce Ministry, which oversees export regulations, has also spoken with AI companies ​including Alibaba, ByteDance and Zhipu on limiting the transfer of key data ​for the training of their models overseas, as well as allowing their model weights &zwnj;to be ⁠downloaded by foreign users, the newspaper said.

Read More: South Korea promises free homegrown AI chatbot this year

It has also sought views on possible restrictions that would prevent overseas chipmakers including Qualcomm&nbsp; and TSMC&nbsp;&nbsp;from producing advanced semiconductors based on designs developed by Chinese companies such as Huawei, ​Alibaba and ByteDance, ​FT reported.

The new ⁠measures could be included into the next revision of China&rsquo;s catalogue of technologies prohibited or restricted from export, the ​report said, adding that these proposals are under consideration and ​regulators ⁠are weighing industry feedback before making a final call.

Potential restrictions could also be imposed on the overseas acquisition of strategic technology in areas such as agentic ⁠AI, FT ​said.

Reuters could not immediately verify the report. ​The Commerce Ministry, ByteDance, Alibaba, Zhipu, Huawei, Qualcomm and TSMC did not immediately respond to a ​Reuters request for comment.]]>
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			<title>US looks to speed air taxis, supersonic planes to market</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619464/us-looks-to-speed-air-taxis-supersonic-planes-to-market</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619464/us-looks-to-speed-air-taxis-supersonic-planes-to-market#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 12:39:38 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619464</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[FAA says pilot eVTOL programme data from 26 states will support certification and commercial deployment]]>
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				<![CDATA[The US Federal Aviation &zwnj;Administration said it was working to help industry deploy air taxis, supersonic airplanes, boost space launches and expand drone operations as it embraces&nbsp;next-generation aviation.

Deputy FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau told Reuters in an interview at the&nbsp;Farnborough Airshow&nbsp;the agency is moving to address ​issues with certification and regulations.

&quot;We want to make sure that we&#39;re not being too prescriptive ​in those standards, and that we&#39;re letting the industry drive the innovation,&quot; Rocheleau said.

The ⁠FAA created a pilot program last year to help nascent electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, ​known as eVTOLs, begin deployments. Rocheleau said data from the pilot program with eight partner companies in ​26 states will help inform certification efforts.

&quot;The whole idea behind this is to take this new technology, these new aircraft, and put them into the national airstream in a safe and efficient manner,&quot; Rocheleau said.

Air taxi firms are racing ​to secure approvals and commercialize air taxi aircraft to meet the growing demand for faster and ​more sustainable urban transportation. They tout eVTOLs that can take off and land vertically to ferry travelers to airports or &zwnj;for ⁠short city trips, allowing them to beat traffic.

Archer Aviation&nbsp;CEO Adam Goldstein compared the rollout of eVTOLs to the city-by-city deployment of Google&#39;s&nbsp;Waymo self-driving unit.

&quot;I think the world has learned a lot in how the autonomous vehicles have launched,&quot; Goldstein said.

Read More: Boeing on track for 2028 Air Force One delivery, costs rise

The FAA pilot program gives the eVTOL industry the ability ​to &quot;roll this out to ​a couple cities in ⁠a confined area that we can kind of work through the kinks in the system,&quot; Goldstein said.

In June, the FAA proposed the first of two ​rules needed to lift a ban imposed in 1973 on supersonic air transport ​over land. ⁠The agency plans to propose a second rule to define acceptable noise thresholds for takeoff, landing, and supersonic cruise flight and finalize both by mid-2027.

&quot;We think the rules are old and outdated,&quot; Rocheleau said.

The era ⁠of regular ​commercial supersonic flights ended in 2003 when Concorde, flown by ​Air France&nbsp;(AIRF.PA), opens new tab&nbsp;and British Airways, was retired after 27 years of service.

After the rules are in place, the FAA and ​other regulators will need to certify supersonic aircraft.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>US judge approves Anthropic's $1.5 billion settlement of copyright lawsuit</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619461/us-judge-approves-anthropics-15-billion-settlement-of-copyright-lawsuit</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619461/us-judge-approves-anthropics-15-billion-settlement-of-copyright-lawsuit#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 12:19:45 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619461</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[US judge approves record US copyright settlement in AI training case, the first major US lawsuit to settle]]>
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				<![CDATA[A federal judge in San Francisco on Monday signed off on &zwnj;artificial intelligence company Anthropic&#39;s landmark $1.5 billion settlement of a class action lawsuit brought by a group of authors who accused it of misusing their books to train its AI chatbot Claude.

US District Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin granted final approval of the settlement, the largest known ​settlement of a US copyright case, rejecting arguments that it was too small.

The case is&nbsp;one of dozens&nbsp;​brought by copyright owners including authors and news outlets against tech companies over the training ⁠of their large language models, and the first major US case to settle.

Now-retired Judge William Alsup&nbsp;initially approved&nbsp;the ​deal last September.

&quot;We reached this settlement in 2025, after the court&#39;s landmark ruling that training AI on books is fair ​use under copyright law &mdash; which remains the law today,&quot; Anthropic deputy general counsel Aparna Sridhar said in a statement.

&quot;We are pleased that more than 91% of authors and publishers covered by the settlement have claimed their share of the payment, and we&#39;re looking forward ​to bringing this matter to a close.&quot;

The authors&#39; lead attorney, Justin Nelson, welcomed what he called a &quot;historic settlement.&quot;

Read More: Pocket-size AI: Powerful phones star at China show

&quot;It ​is the largest known copyright recovery in history. We look forward to making distributions to the Class as promptly as possible,&quot; Nelson said in &zwnj;a statement, ⁠referring to payments to authors covered by the settlement.

The writers&nbsp;sued Anthropic&nbsp;in 2024, arguing that the company, which is backed by Amazon&nbsp;&nbsp;and Alphabet&nbsp;&nbsp;, used pirated versions of their books without permission to teach Claude to respond to human prompts.

Alsup&nbsp;ruled last June&nbsp;that Anthropic made fair use of the authors&#39; work to train Claude, but found that the company ​violated their rights by saving ​more than 7 million ⁠pirated books to a &quot;central library&quot; that would not necessarily be used for AI training.

A trial was scheduled to begin last December to determine how much Anthropic owed for the ​alleged piracy, with potential damages running into the hundreds of billions of dollars.

The settlement ​spurred objections from ⁠some authors who argued it was not large enough, overcompensated the plaintiffs&#39; attorneys or wrongly excluded some copyright owners.

Judge Martinez-Olguin overruled those objections in her ruling on Monday. The judge said that complaints about the settlement&#39;s size were &quot;not grounded in ⁠a realistic ​assessment of the overall risks and rewards of a trial,&quot; and ​awarded the attorneys more than $101 million of the $187.5 million they requested in fees.

Some authors and publishers opted out of the settlement and have filed&nbsp;separate ​lawsuits&nbsp;against Anthropic that are&nbsp;still ongoing.]]>
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			<title>Boeing on track for 2028 Air Force One delivery, costs rise</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619160/boeing-on-track-for-2028-air-force-one-delivery-costs-rise</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619160/boeing-on-track-for-2028-air-force-one-delivery-costs-rise#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 19 Jul 26 17:20:42 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Boeing's Air Force One program tops $5B, replacing presidential jets that entered service in 1990.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Boeing&nbsp;said on Sunday it remains on track to deliver two new Air Force One ​jets in 2028, but meeting that target will &zwnj;require additional spending on a program already years behind schedule and billions of dollars over budget.

Boeing was awarded a $3.9 billion contract in ​2018 to build the aircraft, though costs have ​since ballooned to more than $5 billion. The aircraft are ⁠intended to replace the current Air Force One planes, ​which entered service in 1990.

&quot;We&#39;re on track for 2028,&quot; Steve ​Parker, CEO of Defense, Space &amp; Security, told reporters ahead of the Farnborough Airshow in the UK, adding that he expected the first ​aircraft to begin testing next year.

Read More:&nbsp;Boeing shrugs off ME war impact, maintains forecast

&quot;I do expect to ​see some cost growth there as we come through and we finish &zwnj;off ⁠the wiring and the structures, as well as finishing up our own certifications.&quot;

In May 2025, the United States accepted a luxury Boeing 747 from Qatar for use as a ​temporary presidential aircraft. ​The jet ⁠has since entered service as a bridge aircraft. Security concerns led&nbsp;President Donald Trump&nbsp;to ​forgo flying the Qatari jet home from Turkey, ​opting ⁠instead to&nbsp;return aboard&nbsp;an older Air Force One.

The Air Force One program involves converting two Boeing 747-8 aircraft into highly ⁠specialized ​jets equipped with advanced communications and ​defensive systems. Even with a 2028 delivery, the program would be running four ​years behind schedule.

&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>Thousands welcome home Argentina squad, without Messi</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619495/thousands-welcome-home-argentina-squad-without-messi</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619495/thousands-welcome-home-argentina-squad-without-messi#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 16:21:39 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[AFP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Scaloni and team were welcomed with a red carpet outside the aircraft]]>
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				<![CDATA[Thousands of fans braved the cold and rain Monday to give a rapturous welcome to the Argentine football squad who landed back home without star Lionel Messi, after their World Cup final loss to Spain.

It was not the homecoming Argentines had hoped for, four years after millions celebrated their team&#39;s tournament victory in 2022, but fresh scenes of joyful chaos filled the street as they danced, sang and set off fireworks to thank the players.

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) said earlier that some squad members would not be on the flight, and iconic team captain Messi was not seen descending from the aircraft in images broadcast on local television.

Coach Lionel Scaloni and the rest of the team were welcomed with a red carpet outside the aircraft and a military band.

They then boarded a bus, waving to frenzied fans along the way.

Despite falling short of a second straight championship, &quot;Argentines will celebrate anyway,&quot; said housewife Marga Ledezma. The 36-year-old thanked Messi for &quot;all the years he made us happy,&quot; urging him not to quit playing for Argentina, but admitting this would be difficult as he was 39.

Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in a game that has been criticized in international media for a plethora of fouls and displays of poor sportsmanship from the Albiceleste.

&quot;I think they criticize us because we know what it&#39;s like to suffer, that we get up, we fall down again, and we keep going,&quot; said Ledezma.

Many fans highlighted that the real victory for Argentina was the 2-1 semi-final win over England, played against the backdrop of a lingering dispute between the countries over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands.

Some carried flags declaring &quot;The Falklands are Argentine.&quot; FIFA is investigating the Argentine team after players held up a banner bearing the phrase after their win against England which sparked a backlash from London.

&#39;The pain is immense&#39;

&quot;This team united us all, and we should be grateful for that. We will always be there for them, rain or shine. I would say thank you to Messi and that he gave it his all,&quot; said Leonardo Barrientos, 36, who works in a textile workshop.&nbsp;

Maria Ortiz, 28, came to welcome the team with her two-year-old, and said Spain &quot;deserved the win&quot; but she was &quot;happy for what the team gave us.&quot;

Messi wrote on Instagram on Monday that &quot;the pain is immense and it&#39;s going to take a long time for this wound to heal.&quot;

&quot;I&#39;ll also hold on to all the good memories,&quot; he wrote alongside a photo of himself. &quot;Today it&#39;s hard to appreciate what we achieved, but this squad reached two consecutive World Cup finals.&quot;

Spain beat Argentina 1-0&nbsp;after extra time in Sunday&#39;s final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal to deny the 2022 champions back-to-back World Cup titles.

The result ended Argentina&#39;s bid to become the first men&#39;s ⁠team since Brazil in 1962 to retain the trophy.

Messi, 39, &zwnj;also ⁠congratulated Spain and said Argentina could take pride in reaching consecutive World Cup finals. He became only the second player, after Brazil&#39;s Cafu, to appear in three men&#39;s World Cup finals, having played in the deciders in ⁠2014, 2022 and this year.

The Inter Miami forward remains Argentina&#39;s most decorated player, having led the country to the 2022 World Cup, Copa America titles in ⁠2021 and 2024, and the 2022 Finalissima. He is also an eight-times Ballon d&#39;Or winner and widely regarded as one of the ⁠greatest footballers.

&quot;Once again, we managed to come together as a country and stand united,&quot; Messi added, &quot;sharing the immense pride of being Argentine.&quot;

With the tournament over, President Javier Milei announced that a future date agreed with the team would be set as a public holiday to celebrate their performance in the World Cup. No further details have been announced.

While crestfallen after the loss, thousands of Argentines headed to the traditional celebration point at the Obelisk in Buenos Aires where they partied for hours on Sunday evening.

Late at night, brief clashes broke out at the monument and police used water cannons, tear gas, and rubber bullets to disperse revellers. Fifteen people were detained, according to police sources.&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>Fernandez: We gave our all for Argentina</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619496/fernandez-we-gave-our-all-for-argentina</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619496/fernandez-we-gave-our-all-for-argentina#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 16:26:16 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[AFP/REUTERS]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[He was dismissed late after a second yellow against Cubarsi]]>
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				<![CDATA[Enzo Fernandez insists Argentina represented themselves in the &quot;best possible way&quot; at the World Cup despite the Chelsea midfielder&#39;s red card in the final and a host of ugly incidents in their controversial campaign.&nbsp;

Fernandez was sent off for a second booking after clattering into Spain&#39;s Pau Cubarsi in the closing stages of normal time in Sunday&#39;s 1-0 loss.

The 25-year-old&#39;s premature exit was the latest in a series of clashes to cast a shadow over Argentina&#39;s run to the final.

World soccer&#39;s governing body FIFA has appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to investigate the post-match brawl &zwnj;that erupted after Spain&#39;s 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina in a chaotic World Cup final.

Tensions boiled over after Spain&nbsp;secured their second World Cup&nbsp;title courtesy ⁠of an extra-time winner from winger Ferran Torres. Argentina had already been reduced to 10 men in the 93rd minute of normal time when Enzo Fernandez was sent off for a second yellow card.

Leandro Paredes appeared to throw punches at members of the Spain squad as they celebrated their victory, with FIFA subsequently launching an investigation into potential disciplinary breaches following the unsavoury post-match scenes.

They also turned their backs on Spain when the Spanish received their medals and the trophy.

Argentina&#39;s players also caused controversy by displaying a banner reading &quot;Las Malvinas son Argentinas&quot; (The Falklands are Argentine) after beating England in the semi-finals.

Argentina invaded the British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic in 1982.

But Britain regained the archipelago in a brief war after then prime minister Margaret Thatcher dispatched a naval taskforce.

Fernandez took to Instagram to defend his country for their World Cup performance, but made no mention of his sending off in his message to supporters.

&quot;As time goes by, you realise there is something much bigger than just a result,&quot; he said.

&quot;For years, this group has represented the team in the best possible way. It teaches that competing isn&#39;t just about winning; it&#39;s about giving your all for the jersey and never giving up.&quot;

Fernandez was a member of the Argentina team that beat France to win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

But Fernandez&#39;s hopes of a second successive title were shattered after his dismissal as Ferran Torres&#39;s 106th-minute strike settled a dour final marred by Argentina&#39;s defensive tactics.

&quot;It has been a privilege to be part of a group that always stepped up, competed at the highest level, and defended these colours with pride, humility, and commitment,&quot; he said.

&quot;I want to thank all the Argentina fans. Thank you for always being there, for supporting us in every match, for the affection, for the unconditional support, and for making us feel at home anywhere in the world.

&quot;Wearing my country&#39;s jersey is the greatest honour of my career, and I will continue to give my all every time I get to defend it.&quot;

Meanwhile, Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez will consider his international future in the aftermath of the final heartbreak.

The 33-year-old Aston Villa star, who won the World Cup four years ago, said on Instagram: &quot;I dreamed of winning it again; I dreamed of bringing it back to Argentina and making history once more.

&quot;Honestly, the pain is hard to put into words. Now I have to reflect on many things, see how to move forward, and decide if it&#39;s time to step aside.

&quot;I am truly sorry. I gave it my all to help my country and my team-mates.&quot;&nbsp;

At the final whistle, Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes &zwnj;clashed ⁠with several Spanish players, including defender Eric Garcia and midfielder Gavi, triggering a&nbsp;broader brawlbetween the two sets of players.

The teams exchanged ⁠shoves and had to be physically separated, with Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni trying to calm down ⁠the players at the end of the ill-tempered encounter.

No timeframe was given for ⁠the conclusion of the investigation.&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>How a 64-team World Cup could transform soccer's economics</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619497/how-a-64-team-world-cup-could-transform-soccers-economics</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619497/how-a-64-team-world-cup-could-transform-soccers-economics#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 16:30:09 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619497</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The format could add roughly another week to the tournament]]>
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				<![CDATA[The first 48-team&nbsp;World Cup&nbsp;has barely finished, but Gianni Infantino has already acknowledged the possibility that soccer&#39;s biggest tournament could one day grow larger still, a move that could fundamentally alter the economics of the sport.

Speaking to Swiss television during the tournament, the FIFA &zwnj;president said a 64-team World Cup was among the&nbsp;ideas that could be examined&nbsp;once the finals were over, reopening debate over how large the game&rsquo;s showpiece event can realistically become.

The logistical implications of another expansion are obvious. A bigger tournament would require more stadiums, more hotels, more transport and, most likely, more time.

But the financial implications could prove even more significant. By making qualification easier for many of the game&rsquo;s biggest nations, a 64-team tournament could reduce the commercial value of qualifying competitions while increasing the importance of FIFA&rsquo;s own flagship event.

If broadcasters place less value on qualifying campaigns, soccer&#39;s six regional confederations could become increasingly dependent on FIFA&rsquo;s own distributions, potentially shifting more financial influence &mdash; and power &mdash; towards the global governing body.

&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think it&rsquo;s a good idea for the World Cup itself, and it&rsquo;s not a good idea for our qualifiers either. ⁠So I&rsquo;m not supporting that idea,&rdquo; UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said last year. The European governing body&rsquo;s position has not changed since then.

Asian Football Confederation President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa has also voiced opposition, questioning last year where further expansion might end.

FIFA did not reply to requests for comment.

&quot;I think it is important that when you want to organise a World Cup, you do it for the whole world &mdash; not just Europe and South America,&quot; Infantino said when discussing the idea of an expanded tournament. &ldquo;If you don&rsquo;t give smaller countries a chance to participate in the World Cup, they&rsquo;ll lack the incentive to keep improving.&rdquo;

CHALLENGES ON AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT SCALE

The 2026 tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States was the first since 1998 to move away from the 32-team format, expanding to 48 nations and 104 matches over more than five weeks.

If the competition retained the same basic structure, with four-team groups followed by a 32-team knockout stage, a 64-team World Cup would comprise 128 matches &mdash; 24 more than in 2026 and double the total staged under the old 32-team format.

Unless FIFA compressed the schedule or staged more games simultaneously, that could add roughly another week to a tournament already lasting more than five weeks.

Plans are in place for Spain, Portugal and Morocco to stage most of the 2030 finals, with Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay each hosting a single &zwnj;opening-round match to ⁠mark the tournament&rsquo;s centenary.

Accommodating 64 teams across six host nations presents a formidable organisational challenge. Doing so in a single country could prove even more demanding.

Saudi Arabia, due to host the tournament alone in 2034, already faces significant scheduling questions. Ramadan is expected to begin in mid-November that year, making the November-December window used for the 2022 World Cup in neighbouring Qatar difficult to replicate and potentially forcing another unprecedented reshaping of the global football calendar.

A 64-team tournament would magnify those challenges, requiring more stadiums, training facilities, hotels, transport capacity and volunteers while placing additional pressure on infrastructure in a country still developing its tourism industry.

The Saudis have proposed 15 venues for the existing 48-team format, with eight stadiums in Riyadh, four in Jeddah and others in Khobar, ⁠Neom, and Abha. Construction and renovation work is already under way ahead of the 2027 Asian Cup.

DOMESTIC PRESSURE

An expanded World Cup would also place greater strain on an already congested international calendar and increase pressure on domestic leagues, many of which have aligned themselves with Europe&rsquo;s traditional August-to-May season.

Japan&rsquo;s J-League is about to begin its&nbsp;first August-to-May campaign, while U.S. Major League Soccer plans a similar switch from next year. Any future winter World Cup would therefore disrupt an ever-growing number of competitions rather than primarily Europe&rsquo;s ⁠major leagues, as was the case in 2022.

World Cups can be costly for national federations, even rich ones like France. The French Football Federation had been expecting to spend 24.5 million euros ($28 million) at this year&#39;s World Cup, with federation president Philippe Diallo saying Les Bleus would probably need to at least reach the semi-finals not to lose money.

At the April FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Diallo said FIFA needed to provide greater financial support to participating nations.

If a ⁠48-team tournament is already stretching the finances of participating federations, a longer 64-team event could increase those costs further.

Player welfare concerns would also intensify, with more matches adding to the workload of elite players. A 64-team tournament would give more nations access to football&rsquo;s biggest stage but could also reignite debate over competitive balance, tournament length, fan costs and whether the World Cup risks losing some of the exclusivity that has long underpinned its appeal.

Whether the idea progresses beyond discussion may depend in part on how the first 48-team World Cup is ultimately judged.&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>Garcia to leave Belgium job</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619494/garcia-to-leave-belgium-job</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619494/garcia-to-leave-belgium-job#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 16:17:56 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[AFP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619494</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Mannaert will be in charge of choosing Garcia’s successor]]>
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				<![CDATA[Rudi Garcia has left his role as Belgium coach after his side were knocked out of the World Cup quarter-finals, the Belgian football federation (RBFA) said on Monday.&nbsp;

Garcia, 62, took over the Red Devils in January 2025 before guiding them to a last-eight loss to eventual tournament winners Spain.

The Frenchman replaced Domenico Tedesco and also helped Belgium secure their place in Nations League A with an ageing generation of big names players such as midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, forward Romelu Lukaku and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

&quot;We sincerely thank Rudi Garcia and his staff for their dedication, professionalism and commitment over the past 18 months,&quot; the RBFA said.

&quot;And wish them every success in the future,&quot; it added.

Garcia&#39;s spell in charge was his first job in international football having had notable stints with Lille, Roma and Marseille.

In 2023, he lasted just five months at Napoli before being sacked after only 16 games.

At the World Cup, he was unable to take Belgium further than the last eight. Their third-place finish in 2018 remains their best performance at the competition.

&#39;Revival&#39;

Tedesco had only managed to take the squad to the last 16 of Euro 2024. His predecessor Roberto Martinez lost his job after a group stage exit at the World Cup four years ago.

&quot;Rudi Garcia has undoubtedly contributed to the revival of the Red Devils,&quot; RBFA sporting director Vincent Mannaert said,

&quot;He was appointed national coach in a difficult sporting and financial context.&nbsp;

&quot;Thanks in particular to his commitment and experience, team cohesion was restored and an excellent result was achieved at the last World Cup, Lannaert added.

Belgium finished top of their group and hammered co-hosts the US 4-1 in the last 16 in a game overshadowed by President Donald Trump asking FIFA to suspend Folarin Balogun&#39;s red card ban.

&quot;I leave Belgium in League A of the Nations League and among the 8 best teams in the world,&quot; Garcia said on Instagram.

&quot;Only Spain, the new world champions, against whom we were the only team to score a goal in eight matches, prevented us from going even further in the most prestigious of competitions,&quot; the former Lille midfielder added.

Garcia kept faith with the likes of de Bruyne, Lukaku and Courtois, all 33 or older for the competition, from their fabled &quot;Golden Generation&quot; which also included Eden Hazard and Vincent Kompany.

He also placed faith in a younger generation of players such as attackers Jeremy Doku and Charles De Ketelaere and defender Nathan Ngoy.

&quot;I&#39;m ready once again, to pursue new ambitions with a national team or at club level,&quot; Garcia said.

&quot;I wish Belgium all the best as they continue the generational change that I took pleasure in helping to start,&quot; he added.]]>
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			<title>Ceferin skipped World Cup final</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619498/ceferin-skipped-world-cup-final</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619498/ceferin-skipped-world-cup-final#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 16:36:48 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[AFP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619498</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[UEFA-FIFA tensions rise over controversial decisions]]>
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				<![CDATA[Aleksander Ceferin, the head of UEFA, boycotted the World Cup final to show unhappiness with FIFA, British media reported Monday.

The relationship between European football&#39;s governing body and the game&#39;s global federation is under strain.

One cause was FIFA&#39;s unexplained decision to suspend a red card for United States striker Folarin Balogun before a World Cup game against Belgium after US President Donald Trump asked FIFA head Gianni Infantino to &quot;review&quot; the sending off.&nbsp;

UEFA was unhappy that Infantino bowed to perceived political pressure from the host and called the decision by FIFA&#39;s disciplinary committee &quot;unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable&quot; and said it &quot;crossed a red line&quot;.

Other sources of tension were FIFA&#39;s acquiesence when US authorities refused to allow Somali referee Omar Artan to enter the country. UEFA responded by appointing Artan to officiate its Super Cup final next month.

FIFA was also unable to ensure Iran was treated the same way as other teams playing in the United States. Coach Amir Ghalenoei said his team were the &quot;most oppressed&quot; at the World Cup. US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said he &quot;danced a happy dance&quot; when Iran were knocked out.

UEFA has also, so far, refused to adopt some of FIFA&#39;s World Cup innovations, such as hydration breaks, the &quot;mistaken identity&quot; VAR protocol, which led to the sending off of Breel Embolo in Switzerland&#39;s quarter-final loss to Argentina, or the cards for players who cover their mouths talking to an opponent.

Ceferin also criticised the enlarged 48-team tournament before it kicked off.

&quot;We have a lot of matches that are completely uninteresting,&quot; he was quoted as saying in a newspaper in his native Slovenia.

Ceferin has also been publicly critical of World Cup ticket prices.&nbsp;

UEFA has said that it would continue to offer two &#39;fan first&#39; ticket categories at the 2028 Euros in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It said that 40 percent of tickets would either be priced below 30 pounds (35 euros or $40) or below 60 pounds. It has also promised not to adopt dynamic pricing.

Ceferin did attend the opening match of the tournament in Mexico City on June 11.&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>Maryam Nawaz hits out at PPP as PML-N launches AJK election campaign</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619473/azad-kashmir-is-as-dear-to-me-as-punjab-nawaz-sharif-kicks-off-election-campaign</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619473/azad-kashmir-is-as-dear-to-me-as-punjab-nawaz-sharif-kicks-off-election-campaign#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 13:41:47 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[MA Mir]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619473</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Nawaz Sharif vows to resolve AJK issues, pledges tenfold budget increase if party forms government]]>
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			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Tuesday launched its election campaign for the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) polls, with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz aiming at the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), her party&#39;s ally in the federal government, for failing to resolve the region&#39;s issues despite being in power there.

Addressing a public gathering in Muzaffarabad, Maryam promised to replicate Punjab&#39;s development model in AJK, announcing a package of welfare and infrastructure initiatives, including the introduction of electric buses, mobile hospitals and social protection schemes, while urging voters to elect the PML-N in the July 27 legislative assembly elections.

Announcing what she described as &quot;gifts&quot; for the people of Muzaffarabad, the Punjab chief minister said 10 green electric buses would be provided for the AJK capital, while 15 &quot;hospitals on wheels&quot; mobile hospitals would be launched to improve healthcare services in remote areas.

&quot;I am not here merely to make promises. I am here to present our performance over the last two years in Punjab,&quot; she said, urging voters to compare the governance record of the PML-N with that of its political rivals.



قائد نواز شریف اور وزیر اعلی مریم نواز کا کشمیر کیلئے تحفہ!

مظفر آباد کیلئے 10 گرین بسوں کا اعلان۔#SherInKashmir pic.twitter.com/Yw6oGhbuPN
&mdash; PMLN (@pmln_org) July 21, 2026


Maryam said she regarded both AJK and IIOJK as her home and described herself as a Kashmiri &quot;by blood, by heart, by soul and by ancestry.&quot;

&quot;This is my native city. Kashmir is our jugular vein. These valleys, these mountains and these brothers and sisters are mine,&quot; she declared, paying tribute to the martyrs of Kashmir and reaffirming Pakistan&#39;s support for the Kashmir cause.

She questioned why the long-awaited Kohala-Muzaffarabad motorway had not yet been completed and said the PML-N was committed to improving road infrastructure across AJK.

&quot;If the people elect a PML-N government in AJK, we will change your destiny,&quot; she said, adding that the development witnessed in Punjab could be replicated in the region.



میں صرف وعدے کرنے نہیں آئی، میں اپنی دو سالہ کارکردگی لے کر آپ کے سامنے آئی ہوں۔ کشمیر کی مائیں، بہنیں، بزرگ اور نوجوان سن لیں، ہم صرف ووٹ مانگنے نہیں آئے۔ اگر آپ نے مسلم لیگ (ن) کو منتخب کیا تو نواز شریف کا وعدہ بھی آپ کے ساتھ ہے اور آپ کی بیٹی مریم نواز کا وعدہ بھی کہ آزاد جموں&hellip; pic.twitter.com/yYGGND4QTl
&mdash; PMLN (@pmln_org) July 21, 2026


Referring to the public transport system introduced in Punjab, Maryam said green electric buses had reached even tehsil headquarters, and similar projects would be implemented in AJK.

She criticised the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), asking why the party had failed to address public issues despite being in government in AJK.

&ldquo;Some people have been coming here over the past few days, delivering speeches, airing grievances, voicing complaints and levelling allegations. I want to remind them, in all sincerity, who they are accusing. The government here is their own,&rdquo; she said.

&nbsp;



الیکشن کے دن ہیں ہر جماعت وعدے اور دعوے کر رہی ہے مگر میں صرف اتنا پوچھتی ہوں کہ جنہیں شکایتیں اور الزامات لگانے ہیں، وہ بتائیں یہاں حکومت کس کی ہے؟ مسلم لیگ (ن) الزام نہیں، کام پر یقین رکھتی ہے۔ ہم عوام کے لیے محنت کرتے ہیں، جھوٹے وعدے نہیں کرتے۔ نواز شریف نے جو وعدہ کیا وہ&hellip; pic.twitter.com/VrekSRBhvj
&mdash; PMLN (@pmln_org) July 21, 2026


Without naming former prime minister Imran Khan directly, she also referred to his past remarks regarding the numerical strength of political parties in the 2021 polls, saying political realities had changed because of the public&#39;s support for the PML-N.

Highlighting Punjab&#39;s welfare initiatives, Maryam said more than 400 children from AJK had received life-saving surgeries in Punjab hospitals. She added that over seven million people had been provided free medicines under the provincial healthcare programme.

She said the Punjab government had launched doorstep public service delivery through the &quot;Maryam Ki Dastak&quot; initiative, under which birth and other official certificates were being delivered to citizens at their homes. Similar governance reforms, she said, would be introduced in AJK.

The Punjab chief minister also highlighted several social welfare programmes, including the Nawaz Sharif Rashan Card under which deserving families receive monthly food assistance worth Rs3,000, and the Rehmat Card for widows providing annual financial assistance of Rs100,000.

She further announced that a &quot;Himmat Card&quot; would be introduced for persons with disabilities in AJK if the PML-N formed the next government.

Calling for greater economic opportunities, Maryam urged PM Shehbaz to extend interest-free loan schemes to AJK residents to promote entrepreneurship and employment.

She maintained that a strong Pakistan was essential for a strong AJK, saying the prosperity and stability of AJK were directly linked to Pakistan&#39;s economic strength.

&ldquo;Today, the issues marring Kashmir are because of that mistake,&rdquo; she said.

Reiterating that Kashmir and Pakistan shared &ldquo;unbreakable ties&rdquo;, she said those who incited people to wield batons were &ldquo;not friends&rdquo;. &ldquo;Nawaz Sharif and I want the young people to hold laptops and degrees instead,&rdquo; she added.

She urged people to choose their representatives after comparing development in PML-N-governed regions with areas administered by other parties. Referring to her journey earlier in the day, she said development came to a halt where the Punjab government&#39;s jurisdiction ended.

&ldquo;In Punjab, where Nawaz Sharif&rsquo;s government is in power, everything changes the moment the province&rsquo;s boundaries end. The roads disappear, cleanliness disappears, development disappears, and public transport disappears. So what is the difference? The difference is Nawaz Sharif. The difference is the Pakistan Muslim League-N,&rdquo; she said.

She said those whose own provinces had broken roads could not be expected to build roads in Azad Kashmir, while those who had failed to provide healthcare in their own provinces could not deliver medical facilities to the people of AJK.



نواز شریف صاحب نے آپ سے وعدہ کیا ہے کہ اگر آپ نے مسلم لیگ (ن) کو ووٹ دیا تو آزاد کشمیر میں بھی وہی خدمت اور وہی ترقی ہوگی جو آج پنجاب میں نظر آ رہی ہے۔ مسلم لیگ (ن) کا منشور صرف ایک ہے، پنجاب جیسی ترقی آزاد جموں و کشمیر میں بھی لانا۔

وزیراعلی پنجاب مریم نواز شریف#SherInKashmir pic.twitter.com/jRrZtuxFWN
&mdash; PMLN (@pmln_org) July 21, 2026


She also alleged that resources in those provinces were lost to corruption and questioned how such governments could ensure that the people of Azad Kashmir received their due rights. Urging people to vote wisely, she added: &ldquo;This is not just a decision about your vote; it is a decision about your destiny.&rdquo;

In a political appeal to the electorate, Maryam said that regardless of who became the next prime minister of AJK, &quot;the prime minister will have to adopt the Punjab government development model&quot;, asserting that only the PML-N possessed the experience and capacity to deliver development projects.

She concluded by asking voters to support the PML-N in the upcoming elections, promising that the party would transform AJK through the same governance model that, she claimed, had brought visible improvements to Punjab.

&#39;Azad Kashmir is as dear to me as Punjab&#39;: Nawaz Sharif

Earlier, PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif described the region as his second home, saying it was as dear to him as Punjab.

&quot;Azad Kashmir is as dear to me as Punjab,&quot; Nawaz said, adding that there had been no discrimination in development projects across AJK, Gilgit-Baltistan and the four provinces.

The PML-N leader was accompanied by Maryam Nawaz and former AJK prime minister Raja Farooq Haider on the stage.

Nawaz expressed a deep emotional attachment to the region, saying both AJK and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) were part of his identity.
&quot;AJK and IIOJK are my homes,&quot; he said. &quot;Kashmir is my home, and the people of Kashmir are my own people.&quot;

Expressing his desire to become the prime minister of AJK, Nawaz said he would request Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to appoint him to the position if his party won the upcoming elections in the region.

&quot;If you vote for the PML-N, I will come to AJK every three months and personally resolve people&#39;s problems,&quot; he said.



اگر انشاء اللہ مسلم لیگ ن کو عوام نے خدمت کا موقع دیا تو آزاد کشمیر کے تمام مسائل حل کریں گے۔ اگر میں وزیراعظم نہ بھی بن سکا تو ہر تین ماہ بعد مظفرآباد، راولاکوٹ اور دیگر علاقوں کا خود دورہ کروں گا، منشور پر عمل کا جائزہ لوں گا اور عوام کو گواہ بنا کر ہر وعدہ پورا کروں گا۔ جو&hellip; pic.twitter.com/wJh7CsSZbG
&mdash; PMLN (@pmln_org) July 21, 2026


Nawaz highlighted development projects in Punjab and said similar initiatives would be introduced in AJK. He said he had instructed Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz that development work being carried out in Punjab should also be replicated in Muzaffarabad and other parts of AJK.

&quot;On winning the AJK elections, we will bring every project here. Projects like those in Punjab will also be built in AJK,&quot; he said, adding that motorway-style projects would also be developed in the region.

Lamenting the lack of development in the area, Nawaz said that while the rest of the country witnessed the construction of motorways and expressways, the road to Muzaffarabad had remained unchanged.

He said his government had proposed constructing a motorway from Mansehra to Muzaffarabad and then to Mirpur along the Jhelum River.

According to Nawaz, the motorway would have spurred development in the region, leading to the construction of roads, hospitals, schools, colleges and universities.

The PML-N supremo said he had doubled AJK&#39;s budget during his previous tenure as prime minister and pledged to increase it tenfold if his party formed the government in the region.

&quot;You know that Nawaz Sharif fulfils the promises he makes,&quot; he said.

He also praised PM Shehbaz&#39;s role in Punjab&#39;s development and said Maryam was continuing those initiatives.

Nawaz announced that the Punjab government would provide 10 electric, air-conditioned green buses to Muzaffarabad, saying the buses would arrive within days.

He told the gathering that the buses were powered by electricity and equipped with air conditioning.

The PML-N supremo further said 15 &ldquo;hospitals on wheels&rdquo; would soon be deployed across AJK to provide healthcare services to residents of far-flung areas who lacked access to medical facilities in their vicinity.



میں نے مریم سے کہا کہ مظفرآباد پاکستان کے خوبصورت ترین شہروں میں شامل ہونا چاہیے۔ جو ترقی پنجاب میں ہو رہی ہے، وہی ترقی آزاد کشمیر میں بھی نظر آنی چاہیے۔ اگر عوام نے مسلم لیگ ن پر اعتماد کیا تو پنجاب کے کامیاب منصوبے ایک ایک کرکے یہاں بھی لائیں گے اور آزاد کشمیر کی تقدیر بدلیں&hellip; pic.twitter.com/XI5hkVpxxW
&mdash; PMLN (@pmln_org) July 21, 2026


Nawaz said it was deplorable that people in the valley had to carry sick patients on charpoys before transporting them to Islamabad for tertiary care. He said he had resumed development programmes for the region and planned to introduce the mobile hospital concept to save lives.

Referring to the party&#39;s political history, Nawaz said the PML-N had repeatedly been removed from office despite delivering economic growth and development.

&quot;We have suffered injustice many times. Whenever our government was removed, those who came afterwards damaged Pakistan and reversed the country&#39;s progress,&quot; he said.

The former prime minister maintained that the PML-N had a proven record of governance and development and asked voters to compare its performance with that of its political opponents.

He concluded by assuring the audience that the PML-N would bring modern transport, improved healthcare and sustained economic development to AJK, saying the region deserved the same opportunities and public services enjoyed by the people of Punjab.

Maryam criticises PPP for not solving issues despite being in govt in AJKWhile addressing the gathering,]]>
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			<title>Petrol pump owners announce nationwide shutdown after talks with govt fail</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619513/petrol-pump-owners-announce-nationwide-shutdown-after-talks-with-govt-fail</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619513/petrol-pump-owners-announce-nationwide-shutdown-after-talks-with-govt-fail#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 18:08:48 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Web Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619513</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Rejects government's daily fuel price review mechanism, says strike will continue until its demands are accepted]]>
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				<![CDATA[The All Pakistan Petrol Pumps Owners Association (APPPOA) on Tuesday announced a nationwide shutdown of petrol pumps from Tuesday night after talks with the government over its demands ended without a breakthrough.

Amid volatility in global oil prices following renewed hostilities in the Middle East, the government last week switched to a daily fuel price review mechanism. Under the new system, daily prices are based on a seven-day average of international market rates to align with international standards.

Addressing a press conference, the association&#39;s chairman, Humayun Khan, said representatives of the All Pakistan Petrol Pump Association from all four provinces, as well as Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, had met Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and presented two key demands.

Read: Govt raises petrol price by Rs4.93, HSD by Rs7.15 per litre for July 22

&ldquo;Our two main demands were that our commission should be converted to a percentage-based system and that the daily revision of fuel prices should be abolished and reverted to a monthly mechanism,&rdquo; he said.

He said the talks had failed to resolve the association&#39;s concerns.

&ldquo;Our problems remain unresolved. If you look at the situation with the oil marketing companies (OMCs), dealers across Pakistan are currently going through extremely difficult circumstances,&rdquo; he said.

Criticising the government&#39;s decision to revise petroleum product prices on a daily basis to align them with international rates, Khan said dealers across Pakistan had been incurring losses for the past two to three months.

&ldquo;The price was increased yesterday and we are hearing that it will be increased again today. The government has shifted the burden onto petrol pumps, OMCs and refineries to escape public criticism, saying it is no longer their responsibility,&rdquo; he said, adding that the authorities were misleading the public by increasing prices every day.

&ldquo;The public understands this very well. Whether you increase prices by Rs100 at once or by Rs5, Rs10 or Rs20 every day, the result is the same,&rdquo; Khan added.

The chairman said the association had urged the government to resolve the issue in a manner that was fair to both the public and petrol pump owners but, despite every effort, &ldquo;we have come to realise that this government does not want to resolve the problems of the business community.&rdquo;

He announced a nationwide shutdown, including in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, adding that the association was also in contact with oil tanker owners, who would soon announce their own strike.

Also Read: Govt shifts to daily POL pricing amid global headwinds 

He urged the government to listen to the concerns of the business community, describing petrol pump owners as the biggest stakeholders in the petroleum industry. He lamented that whenever the government formulated a policy, petrol pump owners were not taken into consultation.

He said the shutdown would continue until all of the association&#39;s demands were accepted.

Earlier, talks between the government and the association failed to produce a breakthrough, with both sides ending the meeting without any progress.

In a video message, association leader Nauman Butt said negotiations with the petroleum minister had failed to yield any positive outcome, while discussions on dealers&#39; margins and the implementation of daily fuel price revisions also remained inconclusive.

He said the association had decided to shut petrol pumps across the country from midnight on July 22 and would continue the nationwide strike until its demands were accepted.

The association directed all petrol pump owners to participate in the strike fully and appealed to them to keep their outlets closed from midnight on July 22.

Read More: Daily fuel revisions trigger commuting chaos

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance announced its support for the strike called by the association.

In a statement, the alliance&#39;s president, Malik Shehzad Awan, urged the federal government to accept what he described as the legitimate demands of the All Pakistan Petrol Pump Association and the Petroleum Dealers Association.

Awan said transporters, petrol pump owners and the dealers&#39; association were heading towards a nationwide strike due to what he called the federal government&#39;s flawed policies.

He also rejected the government&#39;s decision to revise petroleum product prices daily.

&ldquo;The strike by the All Pakistan Petrol Pump Owners Association and the Petroleum Dealers Association will bring our transport operations to a halt,&rdquo; he said.

He urged the federal government to &ldquo;come to its senses&rdquo; and make decisions after taking stakeholders into confidence.

Awan also said the federal and provincial governments were providing no relief to goods transporters.]]>
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			<title>PM Shehbaz urges US, Iran to exercise restraint in meeting with Iranian minister</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619457/iranian-interior-minister-meets-pm-shehbaz-in-islamabad</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619457/iranian-interior-minister-meets-pm-shehbaz-in-islamabad#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 11:33:24 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Web Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Islamabad]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619457</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Momeni appreciates efforts of PM Shehbaz, FM Dar and CDF Munir for their mediation efforts]]>
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				<![CDATA[Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday urged the United States and Iran to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could further destabilise the region during a meeting with Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni.

Momeni, who is on an official visit to Pakistan, called on PM Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad earlier on Tuesday.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office (PMO), &quot;The prime minister shared his deep concern over the recent escalation in the Gulf region and urged all sides to exercise restraint and refrain from actions that could further destabilise the region.&quot;

&quot;While emphasising that Pakistan would continue to play its role as an honest and sincere mediator and facilitator, the prime minister reiterated Pakistan&rsquo;s strong commitment to regional peace and stability,&quot; the statement added.

The PMO said the prime minister welcomed the Iranian interior minister and his delegation to Pakistan.

&quot;The prime minister conveyed his respectful regards and good wishes for Supreme Leader Sayyid Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian,&quot; it said.

According to the statement, Momeni thanked PM Shehbaz for the warm welcome extended to him and his delegation in Islamabad.

&quot;He conveyed the greetings and best wishes of the Iranian leadership and stated that he was leading a delegation of senior government officials to enhance bilateral ties,&quot; the PMO said.

The Iranian minister expressed appreciation for the efforts of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir for their mediation efforts that led to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.

&quot;He also expressed gratitude for the prime minister&rsquo;s visit to Tehran to attend the funeral ceremony of late supreme leader Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei,&quot; the statement read.

DPM Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Adviser to the Prime Minister Dr Syed Tauqir Shah, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and other senior officials were also present.



ISLAMABAD: 21 July 2026.

H.E. Mr. Eskandar Momeni, Interior Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, who is on an official visit to Pakistan, called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister House, earlier today.

Deputy Prime Minister &amp; Foreign Minister&hellip; pic.twitter.com/gjuPqkrhOQ
&mdash; Prime Minister&#39;s Office (@PakPMO) July 21, 2026



Earlier, Momeni attended a ceremonial parade at Islamabad Police Lines during his visit to Pakistan, where he praised the force&#39;s professionalism and presented awards to officers for outstanding performance, according to updates shared by the Ministry of Interior on X.

Momeni arrived in Islamabad on Monday along with a high-level delegation amid fresh tensions in the Middle East. The visit came amid heightened regional tensions after the United States and Iran exchanged strikes, with Washington targeting locations in Iran and Tehran&#39;s forces responding against US military assets in the region.

The US and Iran signed a Pakistani-mediated memorandum of understanding last month to end their conflict and reach a lasting peace agreement, but tensions escalated again.



ایرانی وزیر داخلہ اسکندر مومنی کے اعزاز میں شاندار پریڈ کا انعقاد۔
ایران کے وزیر داخلہ اسکندر مومنی کا وزیر مملکت برائے داخلہ طلال چوہدری کے ہمراہ پولیس لائنز آمد۔

ایران کے وزیر داخلہ اسکندر مومنی کی پریڈ گراونڈ آمد پر پرتپاک استقبال کیا گیا۔ pic.twitter.com/lQ9U6eG1Eu
&mdash; Ministry of Interior GoP (@MOIofficialGoP) July 21, 2026


Momeni, accompanied by Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, received a warm welcome on arrival at the parade ground. The ministry said the Iranian minister commended the professional capabilities of Islamabad Police personnel and distributed awards to officers in recognition of their performance.

Islamabad Inspector General of Police Ali Nasir Rizvi and other senior police officials were also present.

He also visited the Pakistan Monument in Islamabad alongside Chaudhry.



ایران کے وزیر داخلہ اسکندر مومنی کا دورۂ پاکستان
ایران کے وزیر داخلہ اسکندر مومنی کی وزیر مملکت برائے داخلہ طلال چوہدری کے ہمراہ پاکستان مونومنٹ آمد،

فیڈرل کانسٹیبلری کے چاق و چوبند دستے نے ایران کے وزیر داخلہ اسکندر مومنی کو سلامی پیش کی، pic.twitter.com/WBNMFsSiGg
&mdash; Ministry of Interior GoP (@MOIofficialGoP) July 21, 2026


According to the ministry, a contingent of the Federal Constabulary presented the Iranian minister with a guard of honour. He was also briefed on the Pakistan Monument, after which he praised the historical significance of both the monument and the National Martyrs&#39; Memorial.

During the visit, Momeni viewed Islamabad and the Margalla Hills from Shakarparian. Federal Constabulary Inspector General Riaz Nazir Gara, Islamabad Deputy Inspector General of Police Muhammad Jawad Tariq, and other officials also accompanied him.

The Iranian delegation includes the governor general of Sistan-Baluchistan, Iran&#39;s deputy interior minister, deputy minister for urban development and transport, head of the National Iranian Oil Company, a special representative of the agriculture minister and other senior officials.

Also Read: Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni arrives in Islamabad amid fresh Mideast tensions

According to Anadolu, citing Iran&#39;s state broadcaster IRIB, Momeni is visiting Pakistan at the invitation of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to advance bilateral cooperation between Tehran and Islamabad. The Iranian government, in a post on X, stated that the visit aimed to boost border security and bilateral cooperation in transit and agriculture and aligned with the goal to increase trade from $3b to $10b.

&quot;Following his Pakistan visit, Momeni will travel to New Delhi, India, at the invitation of his Indian counterpart to attend the BRICS Meeting of Ministers for Disaster Management, focusing on disaster risk reduction,&quot; it stated.

Conflict escalates

US forces hit Iran for a ninth consecutive day on Monday as concerns grew over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran said two oil tankers had exploded and been immobilised.

In a statement, US Central Command said it had begun &quot;a new wave of strikes&quot; aimed at &quot;degrading&quot; Iran&#39;s ability to attack commercial vessels in the strait&#39;s vital shipping lanes. It gave no further details.

The strikes are part of an escalating cycle of attacks between the US and Iran after an interim ceasefire agreement signed a month ago unravelled, deepening a struggle for control over the Strait of Hormuz that has disrupted energy supplies and stoked fears of global inflation.

A joint de-escalation proposal by Pakistan and Qatar had urged the United States and Iran to return to their pre-July 9 positions &quot;as a first step&quot; to resume stalled talks to permanently end their months-long war, Pakistani government sources told Anadolu.]]>
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			<title>Record rains inundate Gujranwala, Gujrat</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619568/record-rains-inundate-gujranwala-gujrat</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619568/record-rains-inundate-gujranwala-gujrat#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 21:45:32 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Shahzad Akram]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619568</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Roof collapse, drowning, electrocution claim five lives]]>
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				<![CDATA[Record-breaking monsoon rains lashed Gujranwala and Gujrat, killing at least five people, including two children, injuring four others and paralysing daily life as roads, markets and residential areas were submerged under floodwater.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, Gujranwala received a record 250mm of rainfall, while Gujrat recorded 153mm during the first major monsoon spell of the year.

The downpour, which began around 11:30pm and continued intermittently throughout the night, inundated roads, streets and low-lying neighbourhoods across Gujranwala. Water entered homes, shops and markets, while several areas remained flooded due to ongoing development work by the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), which had not been completed before the monsoon despite earlier assurances.

At Awan Chowk, the mud roof of a house collapsed, injuring six-month-old Muees Ali and 25-year-old Samra.

On Tatlay Aali Road, a labourer was killed and two others injured after the wall of a rice mill collapsed during the rain.

In another incident in Bakhtewala, a young man, Hanan Butt, was electrocuted in rainwater near an electric pole. Family members said he had been married seven months ago.

A roof collapse on Nowshera Road claimed the lives of seven-year-old Shaheen and six-month-old Shan Ali. The mud-and-wood roof of a first-floor room caved in. Rescue 1122 teams shifted 33-year-old Salma and 10-year-old Sana to the district headquarters hospital with injuries, while five-year-old Khadija received first aid at the scene.

Another rain-related roof collapse occurred in Zaheer Colony near Dhalay Police Station, where three members of a family were injured in a mud house. The injured, identified as 28-year-old Sadira, 14-year-old Sameera and 10-year-old Saira, were provided first aid before being shifted to hospital.

In Kamoke, 14-year-old Muhammad Hussain drowned after falling into an underpass flooded with more than 10 feet deep rainwater. Rescue 1122 personnel recovered his body after a search and handed it over to police for legal formalities.

Heavy flooding was also reported in Wazirabad, where rainwater entered homes and government offices. Residents removed water from their houses on a self-help basis. WASA Managing Director Ahad Dogar and Deputy Commissioner Sara Hayat supervised drainage operations, with water levels gradually receding by around midnight.

Gujrat also experienced severe flooding after receiving 153mm of rainfall. Low-lying areas in Gujrat, Lalamusa and Sarai Alamgir were submerged under 1.5 to two feet of water, giving many neighbourhoods the appearance of lakes.]]>
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			<title>Axe falls on 6th official in RR scandal</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619539/axe-falls-on-6th-official-in-rr-scandal</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619539/axe-falls-on-6th-official-in-rr-scandal#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 19:36:29 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Jamil Mirza]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619539</guid>
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				<![CDATA[.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Revelations and aftershocks from the Rawalpindi Ring Road service area NOC scandal continue, as the secretary of the District Planning and Design Committee (DPDC) has now been removed from his post.

According to sources, although the Ring Road design did not include a service area, approvals were allegedly granted, a backdated NOC for the right of way was issued, and land-use changes were approved through what is alleged to have been a fictitious DPDC meeting.

Municipal Corporation Rawalpindi Planning Officer Sohail Aslam, who served as secretary of the committee, was removed from the post on Tuesday.

Earlier, five officials, including former Rawalpindi commissioner Engineer Abdul Aamir Khattak, Deputy Commissioner Waqar Hassan Cheema and former RDA Director General Kunza Murtaza, were removed from their posts by the Punjab chief secretary on July 3.]]>
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			<title>Plot auction dispute ends</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619540/plot-auction-dispute-ends</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619540/plot-auction-dispute-ends#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 19:36:29 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[The Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) has agreed to cancel the auction of 16 residential plots in the upscale Westridge-I locality and refund the amounts paid by the highest bidders, bringing to an end a legal dispute over the inclusion of a parking area and part of a public road within one of the plots.

The assurance was given before the Lahore High Court (LHC)&#39;s Rawalpindi Bench, during proceedings on a writ petition filed by retired Major Shamsheer against the Federation of Pakistan and others.

Following the board&#39;s undertaking, Justice Jawad Hassan disposed of the petition as having become infructuous, observing that the petitioner&#39;s grievances had been adequately addressed.]]>
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			<title>Newborn survives rare eye tumour</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619538/newborn-survives-rare-eye-tumour</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619538/newborn-survives-rare-eye-tumour#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 19:36:29 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[A team of doctors at Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital successfully performed a rare, emergency operation on a three-day-old new-born suffering from an aggressive congenital eye tumour, saving the infant&#39;s life.

The baby, who belongs to a village in Jhelum district, was brought to the hospital shortly after birth with a quickly enlarging tumour affecting one eye. After an immediate clinical evaluation, specialists decided that immediate surgery was the only option to prevent the disease from progressing and causing potentially fatal complications.

The complex operation was carried out by a multidisciplinary team comprising Dr Tayyab Afghani, Dr Faizan Tahir, Dr Ali Raza Syed and Dr Aiman, with support from anaesthetists, nurses and other healthcare professionals. As the tumour had reached an advanced stage, surgeons were forced to remove the affected eye to completely excise the mass and save the child&#39;s life.]]>
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			<title>Deadly clash sparks highway protest</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619537/deadly-clash-sparks-highway-protest</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619537/deadly-clash-sparks-highway-protest#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 19:36:29 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Yawar Hayat]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619537</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[One man killed, brother hurt; three suspects arrested; six cops suspended]]>
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				<![CDATA[A young man was killed and his brother critically injured in a violent clash between two groups in the Panian area of Haripur on Tuesday, prompting a seven-hour blockade of the Hazara Motorway&#39;s Silk Route by residents demanding justice.

The deadly clash was triggered by a minor dispute over sitting outside a house.

The protest ended only after police assured demonstrators that action would be taken against the accused and officers allegedly involved in misconduct.

According to local sources, the altercation escalated into a violent confrontation in which one brother lost his life while the other sustained critical injuries. Family members and local residents alleged that police released the nominated suspects after accepting bribes, sparking widespread public outrage.

The victim&#39;s relatives, joined by residents of the area, blocked the Silk Route highway for nearly seven hours, demanding the immediate arrest of all suspects, an impartial investigation and action against police officials accused of negligence and corruption.

Following mounting public pressure, Haripur District Police Officer (DPO) Shafiullah Gandapur suspended the Station House Officer (SHO) of Panian Police Station along with five other police officials and ordered a departmental inquiry into the incident.

Police also confirmed the re-arrest of three nominated suspects after the protest began. According to local sources, a police official identified as Basharat was suspended and confined to the quarter guard over allegations of accepting a Rs10,000 bribe in connection with the case.

Late in the evening, PML-N MNA Babar Nawaz Khan held negotiations with the protesters. The sit-in ended after successful talks between police and demonstrators, and traffic on the Silk Route was restored.

Police said three of the 12 nominated suspects had been arrested, while efforts were under way to apprehend the remaining accused.

DPO Gandapur said disciplinary proceedings had been initiated against officials found negligent in the discharge of their duties. &quot;The law is equal for everyone, and no one will be allowed to escape justice,&quot; he added.]]>
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			<title>Flash floods wreak havoc in Rawat</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619536/flash-floods-wreak-havoc-in-rawat</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619536/flash-floods-wreak-havoc-in-rawat#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 19:36:29 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Torrential rain triggered severe flooding in the Rawat area, where a rain-fed stream near Daducha Dam overflowed into nearby settlements, inundating large parts of Barwala and Khanpur and causing widespread damage to homes and infrastructure.

According to local residents, floodwater entered houses and a mosque after the stream burst its banks following heavy rainfall. Several sections of the main road were also submerged, disrupting traffic and leaving many residents stranded.

Residents said the strong flood currents caused a number of houses to collapse, forcing affected families to abandon their homes and move to safer locations. They described the situation in villages near Daducha Dam as critical.]]>
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			<title>Fare dispute sparks street altercation</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619535/fare-dispute-sparks-street-altercation</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619535/fare-dispute-sparks-street-altercation#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 19:36:29 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619535</guid>
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				<![CDATA[A foreign woman was allegedly involved in a physical altercation with a taxi driver over a fare dispute near Pindora Bazaar on Syedpur Road, within the jurisdiction of New Town Police Station, prompting passers-by and local residents to intervene and defuse the situation.

A video of the incident, which has since circulated widely on social media, appears to show the woman confronting the driver in the middle of the road. The footage allegedly shows the driver lying on the ground while the woman holds him by his clothing and arm. She also appears to attempt to pin him down by placing her knee on his chest and abdomen.]]>
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			<title>Man dies after fatal wife stabbing</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619534/man-dies-after-fatal-wife-stabbing</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619534/man-dies-after-fatal-wife-stabbing#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 19:36:29 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619534</guid>
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				<![CDATA[A man accused of attempting suicide by ingesting acid after stabbing his wife to death with a knife during a domestic dispute in Kahuta has died in the hospital during treatment.

According to police sources, the accused, Shakeel, had killed his wife, Fauzia, by stabbing her on the neck over a domestic dispute. After the incident, he tried to commit suicide by consuming acid, after which, he was shifted to Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi, in a critical condition, where he died during treatment.

According to the FIR, six days before the incident, the victim had told her brother that her husband was torturing her and threatening to kill her. The FIR further states that on the day of the incident, at around 3.30pm, Ali&#39;s niece, Ayesha, reported that there had been an argument between Shakeel and Fauzia.

Ali stated that after he shouted at Shakeel, he tossed the knife on the table and ran towards the stairs. He then reportedly picked up a bottle of acid and drank it, collapsing on the spot.]]>
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			<title>Consortia selected for bond, Sukuk issuances</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619551/consortia-selected-for-bond-sukuk-issuances</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619551/consortia-selected-for-bond-sukuk-issuances#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 19:56:03 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619551</guid>
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				<![CDATA[FinMin holds meeting with international banks as part of process to establish diversified financing framework]]>
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				<![CDATA[Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb held a virtual meeting from Washington DC with the senior leadership of consortia of international banks under Pakistan&#39;s Global Medium-Term Note Programme and International Sukuk Programme.

The meeting marked the commencement of a strategic partnership with selected financial institutions. Following an evaluation process conducted in accordance with the criteria and procedures prescribed in the Request for Proposals (RFPs), Pakistan concluded the competitive process for the appointment of consortia of international banks for its Medium-Term Note and Sukuk programmes. For Eurobonds, the consortium of financial institutions includes Standard Chartered Bank, Citibank, Deutsche Bank, Emirates NBD Capital and MUFG Securities Asia Ltd. For the sale of international Sukuk, the consortium of banks comprises Standard Chartered, Dubai Islamic Bank, Citibank, Emirates NBD Capital and Mashreq Bank. And for the rupee-denominated US dollar-settled bonds, the consortium includes Standard Chartered, Citibank and Deutsche Bank.

The consortia have been appointed for three years and will support Pakistan&#39;s sovereign capital market issuances of both conventional and Islamic financing instruments. Upon completion of the required documentation and all applicable formalities, the government intends to utilise these structures for frequent issuances, as and when required, in line with its financing strategy.

According to a statement, this selection is not a one-off event, but rather part of a structured and ongoing process aimed at establishing a stable, diversified and sustainable external financing framework. The first-time inclusion of MUFG Securities Asia and Mashreq Bank further broadens Pakistan&#39;s engagement with the global financial institutions.

Pakistan&#39;s re-engagement with international capital markets is supported by the country&#39;s improving macroeconomic environment. Sustained fiscal consolidation, the rebuilding of external buffers, strengthening debt sustainability indicators and the continued implementation of structural reforms have reinforced investor confidence and economic credibility.

The positive reassessment of Pakistan&#39;s macroeconomic outlook is also evident from the significant compression in sovereign credit spreads, with market pricing increasingly reflecting strong underlying credit fundamentals and confidence in the country&#39;s reform trajectory.

&quot;The government&#39;s objective extends beyond raising financing to developing a diversified, market-oriented funding platform that broadens the investor base, optimises financing costs and strengthens Pakistan&#39;s long-term presence in international capital markets,&quot; the statement added.

Aurangzeb discusses refinery modernisation

Separately, the finance minister met with a delegation of Honeywell Technologies, led by its Vice President Barry Glickman, in Washington. Aurangzeb welcomed Honeywell&#39;s proposed modernisation and expansion of Pakistan&#39;s refinery sector, noting its potential to enhance the country&#39;s refining capacity and reduce reliance on imported petroleum products.

The meeting included discussions on Honeywell&#39;s technology and equipment solutions as well as potential financing through the US Exim Bank, the US International Development Finance Corporation, export credit agencies and leading international banks. The minister emphasised that the proposed initiative would support Pakistan&#39;s energy security, industrial development and sustainable economic growth.]]>
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			<title>Grand dialogue a must</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619516/grand-dialogue-a-must</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619516/grand-dialogue-a-must#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 19:06:00 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[PTI&#39;s offer of a national grand dialogue is worth appreciating and must pave the way for addressing the lingering political instability. The onus, however, is on the coalition government to take the extra few steps towards extending an olive branch to the opposition. That, of course, entails providing them with their due political space, letting the law take its course without any coercion in deciding the pending litigations, and subsequently releasing political prisoners including Imran Khan. That is neither an impossible task to attain nor an ill-advised route to undertake if reconciliation is to be ensured in the larger national interest.

The point is that all previous attempts to talk it out could not see the light of day because of preconditions from both sides. Thus, PTI Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja&#39;s call for a huddle involving all political parties, the security establishment, civil society and other stakeholders is an opportunity in disaster to move forward. The roadmap should be to restore the confidence of the masses in Parliament, establish the writ of the law and undo the discrepancies that have undermined the supremacy of the judiciary.

This time around, PTI&#39;s call for talks carries a spirit of adaptability. It has categorically said that it will &quot;not talk to the powers-that-be&quot; and at the same time will not &quot;compromise&quot; on constitutional rights. This is a departure from its earlier stance, as the party was adamant that it would only talk to those who matter, derailing all attempts for a political dialogue. As this initiative has come on the eve of a proposed street agitation marking the third year of the PTI chief&#39;s incarceration, it should lead to some ice-breaking, causing the political mercury to come down.

PTI, TTAP and the government would be better advised to make their positions clear and let a grand rapprochement set in. The evolving regional situation marred by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has made life miserable for commoners due to the resulting rise in oil prices. Moreover, a spike in terror incidents is further crippling the situation at home. The country cannot afford political bickering anymore.]]>
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			<title>And now Burnham</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619517/and-now-burnham</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619517/and-now-burnham#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 19:06:00 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Former Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham strode through the gates of Buckingham Palace on Monday and into 10 Downing Street as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, the seventh person to have held the post in the past decade. He began the day by chopping mushrooms at a homeless shelter - signaling his desire to make homelessness one of his signature issues - before meeting with the king to formally accept the premiership. Hours later, he was on the phone with US President Donald Trump, discussing the FIFA World Cup and the Hormuz Strait.

As Mayor of Manchester, Burnham established a reputation as an everyman. His speech outside No 10 continued to build on that image - no lectern, no notes, no teleprompter. And it began with a striking admission of the revolving-door nature of his job. &quot;I am acutely conscious that I am the sixth person in the last ten years to walk up this street, the seventh prime minister since 2016,&quot; he told the nation before outlining his vision for the future.

Why that matters is because Burnham&#39;s predecessor, Keir Starmer, was widely derided for lacking vision. Burnham, just by virtue of having a plan, is already looking to be one of the best British prime ministers in a decade. With only three years to the next election and the far-right Reform Party leading in the polls, it is up to him to make sure that Britain can break out of the cycle of political turbulence in which it has been trapped since the Brexit referendum in 2016. If he fails, it will only increase cynicism among voters.

Indeed, Burnham&#39;s first step - setting out a 10-year plan - suggests he is at least hoping to win reelection, which would not only require hitting the ground running, but also successfully projecting any achievements, which is another thing that critics say the Starmer cabinet failed to do.]]>
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			<title>Delayed justice</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619518/delayed-justice</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619518/delayed-justice#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 19:06:00 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Justice delayed may not always amount to justice denied, but it inevitably comes at a cost that no court order can fully repair. More than three decades after a Karachi Transport Corporation (KTC) bus struck and permanently disabled a young pedestrian, a civil court has finally ordered the Sindh government to pay Rs10 million in compensation to the victim. The verdict is significant because it sends a clear message that negligent driving and institutional irresponsibility carry consequences.

The judgment is important because it reinforces the principle of accountability. Reckless driving is frequently dismissed as an unfortunate accident rather than the predictable outcome of negligence. Every year, countless families lose loved ones or see them permanently disabled. Yet meaningful accountability remains rare. Criminal prosecutions are often delayed and civil claims languish for years while victims are left to shoulder the financial and emotional burden alone. A substantial compensation award changes that calculus. It establishes that those responsible cannot simply move on after causing irreversible harm. Financial liability may not restore a lost limb or a lost life, but it does create a deterrent. Equally, it reminds government agencies that they cannot evade responsibility. Yet while the judgment deserves to be welcomed, it is impossible to overlook the extraordinary delay. The accident occurred in 1992. The lawsuit was filed in 1994. The final decision arrived only after the case was transferred following amendments to the Sindh Civil Courts Act, more than three decades later. By then, an entire generation had passed.

Such delays undermine confidence in the justice system and diminish the value of legal remedies. Compensation awarded after 30 years is not the same as compensation awarded when it could have meaningfully supported rehabilitation and treatment.]]>
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			<title>Vanity, prisoner's dilemma and the logic of conflicts</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619520/vanity-prisoners-dilemma-and-the-logic-of-conflicts</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619520/vanity-prisoners-dilemma-and-the-logic-of-conflicts#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 19:06:00 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Dr Shujjat Ahmed]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[The Prisoner&#39;s Dilemma, from game theory, illustrates why two rational individuals may fail to cooperate even when it serves their best interests. In a classical example, two criminals are arrested for the same serious crime. Police, playing a good/bad cop routine, engineer betrayal to get to the truth. Both would benefit by cooperating and remaining silent. Yet each individual would think rationally in self-interest, which makes betrayal a dominant strategy, both speak against each other and get sentenced.

Conflicts involve at least two opponents. Their individual choices shape outcome; unless one has the competence to decisively achieve defined strategic objectives, muddled aims make the conflict a war of attrition trapped in micro-battles without winner or loser or end. What emerges is a rationality trap similar to Prisoner&#39;s quandary, where self-interest harms both sides, but cooperation would benefit both. The solution lies not on battlefield but in human nature.

To understand this dilemma, a distinction between rational and rationality must be made. A rational choice is rooted in reason not emotion, aligned with one&#39;s goals and coherent under given circumstances. Rationality, by contrast, is our faculty to process information and devise actions to achieve outcomes, for example, in an arms race where both sides incur escalating costs for armament regardless.

Human behaviour is complex and unpredictable. To me, rationality serves merely as a vassal for our deeper innate force of existence, which is our ability to make choices and create one&#39;s own unique life. Rumi (1273 CE) beautifully describes this: &quot;You are what you seek&quot; (Har chiz keh dar jostan-e ?ni, ?ni). This life-force is what I call &#39;Tangible Rationality&#39;, the rationality in the eye of the beholder, to which a person remains hostage till death. This is distinct from bounded rationality, and is the full expression of who we are.

Tangible Rationality is multi-dimensional and dynamic in nature. Each dimension shapes choices in its own way, ultimately converging in a unique action that maximises situation-specific benefit, with these dimensional agents being:

&#39;Anchored Agent&#39;: instinctively rooted in human nature and evolved through social, religious, moral, philosophical, legal, political frameworks and work-life obligations. In practice, neither its boundaries are absolute nor universally accepted; societal changes dilute past practices and shift rational compass: for instance, sati (when a wife was cremated with her deceased husband) was considered rational, later criminalised and abandoned; and societal shifts even override divine commandments (e.g., same-gender relations remain prohibited, but are now allowed in some countries, and their marriages are legally recognised).

&#39;Mechanical Agent&#39;: an amoral calculator indifferent to human emotions and ethical implications, focusing on maximising benefits like machine logic. Imagine profit-seeking through malpractice, elite capture and resource exploitation in self-interest, or aggression in pursuit of domination.

&#39;Pensive Agent&#39;: pivotal dimension where pertinent information and outputs of anchored and mechanical agents are integrated and evaluated. Options are scrutinised against trade-offs, personal preferences and cost-benefit analyses. The individual or group is aware of gravity of their decision and its impact on themselves and others.

Prisoner&#39;s Dilemma fails because criminals did not fully employ Tangible Rationality. Instead, they relied on Mechanical Agent for gain, chose self-interest and betrayed their partner. If Pensive Agent had been engaged, they would not have committed the crime in the first place.

The Prisoner&#39;s Dilemma is a microcosm of a far larger game we all play. Here, we consider a game between the prisoners: human beings and the prison: our needs and wants being survival, pleasure, power and at the top of this escalation ladder, Vanity.

Human existence necessitates survival through food, shelter and reproduction. There is no defection from these basic needs. Moving up the ladder is seeking pleasure by chasing wealth, status and indulgence, which begins defection through unfair means that harm others. Self-interest overcomes collective interest. Next stage is power, dominance, generational wealth and legacy. Once again, self-interest becomes a rational choice for the individual who defects via breaking rules, corruption, betrayals and exploiting others. Finally, Vanity: limitless need for superiority and admiration. The zenith of self-manifestation where shame becomes a rational choice, even callously destroying people&#39;s lives and institutions, and world order.

No example of human Vanity on grand scale illustrates this more starkly than the Iraq War of 2003. The US intelligence, later shown to be flawed, was backed by the UK, with no direct threat in sight, and no link to 9/11 event. Anchored Agent of international law and moral prohibition against unprovoked invasion was set aside. Mechanical Agent of strategic gains: oil, regional dominance, geopolitical leverage, became calculus. Pensive Agent trade-off of gains against chaos and destruction sealed the act of aggression. Decision where Tangible Rationality manifested in its most devastating form: hundreds of thousands of dead, region destabilised, ISIS emerged, and WMD were never found.

Fast forward today: Vanity resurfaced as US and Israel struck Iran in February 2026, justified by an alleged imminent threat from Iran (an assessment contradicted by an internal evaluation recently disclosed), with no direct danger to either nation. Yet war was launched and continued despite consequences spreading across the world. Once again, Anchored Agent was bypassed, Mechanical Agent of regional dominance drove calculus, and Pensive Agent sealed it. This was not a strategy, but a self-definition, and the choice was not about winning, but being the actor who wins, regardless of cost.

What fuels the move up the ladder was described by Hobbes (1651 CE) as &quot;a perpetual and restless desire of power after power, that ceaseth only in death&quot;. Russell (1950 CE) characterised human fallibility in four infinite desires (greed, rivalry, vanity, and love of power) and said these &quot;can never be fully gratified&quot; and would &quot;keep him restless even in Paradise&quot;. It is this restlessness and perpetual seeking that Rumi understood as the essence of human existence.

What we seek is what we are. And what the most powerful seek, in the end, is themselves - the world bears the cost of that seeking. How to avoid this? Strengthening national and international institutions, peer review of intelligence assessments, and diligent appraisal of consequences for a hyper-connected world, not just self-interest.]]>
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			<title>A dervish civil servant</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619521/a-dervish-civil-servant</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619521/a-dervish-civil-servant#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 19:06:00 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Haroon Rashid Siddiqi]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[The history of Pakistan&#39;s bureaucracy is replete with power struggles and institutional decay. Yet, in the fledgling years of the state, there existed a rare breed of officers who regarded public service not as an avenue for privilege but as a sacred trust.

Among the finest was Shujaat Ali Siddiqi (19011980), a man whose life embodied integrity, courage and humility. A distinguished officer of the 1928 batch of the Indian Audit and Accounts Service, Siddiqi stood second in the competitive examination behind Chaudhri Muhammad Ali. While Chaudhri Muhammad Ali, like Malik Ghulam Muhammad and Iskander Mirza, rose to the highest political offices, Siddiqi consciously remained a servant of principle rather than power.

Known in British India as an elegantly dressed officer, Siddiqi underwent a profound spiritual transformation after performing Hajj in 1946. He abandoned Western attire for a simple kurta-pajama, sherwani and Jinnah cap, grew a flowing beard, and came to be affectionately known as Haji Sahab. That outward simplicity reflected an inner discipline which became the defining feature of his public life.

At Partition, Siddiqi was Controller General of Military Accounts at Meerut and was transferred to New Delhi as Deputy High Commissioner. Zahid Husain, the most senior Muslim civil servant of the time and an officer of the Indian Audit and Accounts Service, was serving as Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh University while on leave preparatory to retirement when appointed Pakistan&#39;s first High Commissioner to India. Both God-fearing civil servants were entrusted with establishing the High Commission in New Delhi and assisting refugees amidst unprecedented communal violence, working tirelessly under trying conditions. After Zahid Husain was transferred to Karachi to establish the State Bank of Pakistan, Siddiqi assumed charge as High Commissioner, serving passionately despite grave personal danger, so perilous that rumours of his death once reached his family in Karachi. Soon after, he returned to Pakistan as Military Accountant-General.

Qudratullah Shahab portrayed Siddiqi memorably in Shahab Nama, describing a man whose inner purity reflected his outward conduct. Occupying the high offices of Military Accountant-General and Auditor-General of Kashmir, Siddiqi remained deeply devoted to his faith. Shahab recalled that the moment the azan was heard, Siddiqi himself would rise to lead congregational prayers, exemplifying a sincerity that transcended formal duty.

That spirituality made him fearless. Nurul Hasan Jafery, Establishment Secretary in 1978, recounted in his published article &#39;Muntashir Yaadain&#39; an incident from his early career under Siddiqi. As a young officer, Jafery openly disagreed with his superior&#39;s orders to penalise striking employees. Expecting an adverse Annual Confidential Report, Jafery was astonished years later to discover Siddiqi had commended his defiance, writing: &quot;He is a headstrong officer, and it is a good quality in him that he holds his ground if he believes something to be correct.&quot;

Siddiqi&#39;s commitment to accountability was equally remarkable. When the Ministry of Finance questioned him over a newspaper delivered to his residence and a visit to Lyallpur (now Faisalabad), he replied with total transparency. The newspaper was delivered early to his home, read in his private time, carried to the office library, and sold as raddi at month&#39;s end in accordance with standing instructions. The cashier entered proceeds into official records, which were open for inspection. Regarding Lyallpur, Siddiqi explained he used his personal rapport with the Deputy Commissioner to facilitate refugee rehabilitation. As the Deputy Commissioner&#39;s guest, he claimed no daily allowance and even offered to refund his railway fare if the Ministry considered the journey unjustified.

His moral courage was unwavering. When Iskander Mirza (IPS, Indian Political Service), then Defence Secretary, attempted to interfere in financial matters regarding an accounts discrepancy, Siddiqi responded firmly. He reminded Mirza that he fell under the Ministry of Finance in financial matters and asserted his department had no &quot;Mir Jafars or Mir Sadiqs&quot;, a bold historical allusion few would dare make. When Mirza became Governor-General, he retaliated by making Siddiqi Pakistan&#39;s first Officer on Special Duty (OSD). Siddiqi accepted the slight without bitterness, considering transfers a small price for preserving an unblemished conscience.

His dealings with Governor-General Ghulam Muhammad (Indian Audit and Accounts Service) revealed another dimension. As Finance Minister, Ghulam Muhammad sought a favour for a junior official, which Siddiqi firmly refused on merit and service rules. Siddiqi was posted out. Yet when Ghulam Muhammad, gravely ill and spiritually distressed during his final days as Governor-General, sought religious counsel, Siddiqi harboured no resentment, presenting him a janamaz, tasbeeh and wazeefa to seek Divine forgiveness.

In 1948, Siddiqi authored Public Finance in Islam, a pioneering work that anticipated debates on Islamic economics and fiscal ethics. Following retirement, he published the fortnightly religious journal Wafaq (fostering harmony within the Muslim Ummah), financing it personally until his death in Karachi in 1980.

Although bypassed for Auditor-General of Pakistan for refusing to bend to power, his character endured. A devoted subordinate, Muhammad Siddiq, titled his biography Zauq-e-Parwaz, reflecting his long association with Siddiqi and detailing anecdotes of his moral striving. Siddiqi lived with his bags perpetually packed for transfer, yet his soul remained firmly anchored in the eternal.

As another devotee poignantly wrote upon his passing:

Jis zameen ki khaak mein pinhaan hua tera wajood

Us zameen ke zarre bargazeedah ho gaye]]>
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			<title>Spain won the World Cup; Fifa lost something more important</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619519/spain-won-the-world-cup-fifa-lost-something-more-important</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619519/spain-won-the-world-cup-fifa-lost-something-more-important#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 19:06:00 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Faisal Kutty]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Spain deserved to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup. From the opening match to the final whistle, it played the tournament&#39;s most complete football. Patient without being predictable, disciplined without sacrificing imagination, Spain eventually overcame an extraordinary Emiliano Mart&iacute;nez, whose goalkeeping almost single-handedly kept Argentina alive. Ferran Torres&#39; extra-time winner settled the final, while Lionel Messi embraced 19-year-old Lamine Yamal in a poignant passing of the torch between two generations of football greatness.

Those are the moments that should define this World Cup.

Instead, the tournament also exposed uncomfortable truths about FIFA and the widening gap between the values it proclaims and the standards it applies. FIFA likes to describe football as the world&#39;s game. It speaks the language of neutrality, inclusion and universality. Every qualified nation, it says, belongs on football&#39;s biggest stage on equal terms.

The 2026 World Cup suggested otherwise.

No team illustrated that contradiction more clearly than Iran. Unlike other teams, it faced extraordinary logistical obstacles because of US visa restrictions. The Iranian delegation based itself in Mexico and travelled to the US for matches rather than operating under the same conditions as most other teams. Visa problems also affected officials, journalists and supporters, limiting participation in an event that FIFA insists belongs to the entire world.

None of this was Iran&#39;s doing. Nor was it solely the responsibility of the US.

FIFA chose the hosts. It awarded the tournament knowing that immigration policies and geopolitical tensions could directly affect participation. Once a country qualifies, FIFA has a responsibility to ensure that every team competes under conditions that are as equal as reasonably possible. Instead, it largely treated the matter as someone else&#39;s problem.

That response reflected a broader pattern.

Russia remained excluded from international football because of its invasion of Ukraine. Israel, despite its devastation of Gaza, continued to participate in World Cup qualifying.

If FIFA believes that armed conflict or violations of international law can justify excluding one state from competition, it must explain why similar standards do not apply elsewhere. If it believes sport should remain separate from politics, then that principle should also be applied consistently.

Selective neutrality is politics by another name. That perception has consequences extending far beyond football. Across much of the Global South, there is a growing belief that international institutions often apply one standard to powerful states and another to everyone else. Whether discussing international law, human rights or global governance, accusations of double standards have become increasingly common. During this World Cup, FIFA did little to challenge that perception. If anything, it reinforced it.

The symbolism extended beyond questions of sanctions.

Throughout the tournament, FIFA President Gianni Infantino appeared increasingly comfortable alongside political leaders, particularly President Trump. The visible closeness between FIFA&#39;s leadership and political power raised legitimate questions about whether the organisation has become too willing to blur the line between sporting governance and political theatre.

That was unfortunate because the football deserved better.

This was, in many respects, an outstanding World Cup. Spain played magnificent football. Messi reminded us why he remains one of the greatest players the game has known. Yamal confirmed that football&#39;s future is in exceptional hands.

Those are the memories supporters should carry home.

FIFA, however, should leave this tournament with different memories. It should ask whether a governing body that speaks so often about universality can continue to tolerate unequal access to its own competition; whether neutrality means applying the same principles to every conflict or simply avoiding difficult decisions; and whether the world&#39;s most popular sport can continue to claim moral authority if its governing institutions appear increasingly selective in the values they choose to defend.

Spain won the World Cup.

Whether FIFA emerged with its credibility intact is a far more difficult question.]]>
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			<title>We have to keep Netanyahu 'a little bit sane', says Trump</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2614354/we-have-to-keep-netanyahu-a-little-bit-sane-says-trump</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2614354/we-have-to-keep-netanyahu-a-little-bit-sane-says-trump#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 21 Jun 26 02:21:50 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[US President Donald Trump delivered a blunt critique of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a press interview, stating their relationship is &quot;good, but we have to keep him a little bit sane&quot;

The remark came when Trump was asked by Axious, an American media outlet, about his ties with the Israeli premier amid ongoing efforts to end fighting in Lebanon.

Trump asserted he can control Israeli military actions in Lebanon because officials there &quot;do as I say.&quot;

He highlighted American military superiority, saying that the US provides &quot;the guns&quot; and &quot;B-2 bombers,&quot; and claimed that without his intervention, Israel would have been &quot;eviscerated,&quot; echoing his remarks earlier this week asserting: &quot;Without the United States, there would be no Israel.&quot;

Earlier this week, the US president said he advised Netanyahu to use a &quot;softer touch&quot; in Leb-anon, saying Israel does not have to &quot;knock down a building every time somebody walks into it that&#39;s from Hezbollah,&quot; referring to frequent Israeli bombing of Lebanon, including many residential areas.]]>
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			<title>Five dead in South Korea aerospace plant blast</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611013/five-dead-in-south-korea-aerospace-plant-blast</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611013/five-dead-in-south-korea-aerospace-plant-blast#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 01 Jun 26 22:32:55 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Five people have died and two others were injured on Monday after an explosion and fire on a South Korean production line for rocket propellant at a factory operated by Hanwha Aerospace in the city of Daejeon, officials said.

The two survivors, including one who was badly burned, had escaped from the facility themselves, a fire official told a briefing.

&quot;Authorities have yet to identify the victims because their bodies were severely damaged,&quot; a health official told the same briefing.

A fire official said that an explosion had triggered the blaze, though the cause of the blast was still being investigated. The blast appeared to have occurred while water was being used to clean explosive material from tools making rocket propellant, a Hanwha official told a company briefing.

&quot;We bow our heads in apology to the victims and their bereaved families,&quot; said Chief Executive Officer Son Jae-il, pledging to cooperate fully with authorities to determine the cause of the accident.

The five dead included two temporary workers in their 20s and all were employed by Hanwha, the company said.]]>
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			<title>Israeli strikes kill seven in Gaza</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610261/israeli-strikes-kill-seven-in-gaza</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610261/israeli-strikes-kill-seven-in-gaza#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 26 May 26 18:45:04 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Israeli strikes killed at least seven Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday including five in a refugee camp and two in a car, health officials said.

Medics and residents said an Israeli drone fired a missile at people who came out of their homes when an Israeli-backed Palestinian militia tried to storm an area east of Maghazi camp.

As well as at least five fatalities, several people were injured.

The Israeli military, which has been fighting Hamas in the Palestinian territory since October 2023, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on that incident.

Incursions by Israeli-backed armed gangs, whom Hamas brands &quot;Israeli collaborators&quot;, have escalated in past weeks.

Leaders of those groups, who operate in areas under Israeli control, say they aim to topple Hamas rule.

Later on Tuesday, an Israeli airstrike struck a vehicle in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, killing two people and wounding several others, medics said.

The Israeli military told Reuters it was a &quot;targeted strike&quot; and provided no further details.]]>
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			<title>US, Armenia sign partnership agreement</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610262/us-armenia-sign-partnership-agreement</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610262/us-armenia-sign-partnership-agreement#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 26 May 26 18:45:04 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan signed a strategic partnership agreement in Yerevan on Tuesday, less than two weeks before parliamentary elections in the South Caucasus country.

Rubio&#39;s visit comes as Russia has threatened to exert economic pressure on Yerevan for its growing ties to the West by raising prices Armenia pays for Russian gas if the country turns away from integration with Moscow

On June 7, Armenia votes in an election pitting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan&#39;s Civil Contract party against an array of opposition parties, many of which are pro-Russian.

Rubio and Mirzoyan

also signed a framework agreement on critical minerals and another on cooperation on a proposed 43-km (27-mile) transit corridor across southern Armenia

that would give Azerbaijan a direct route to its

exclave of Nakhchivan

and into Turkey, Baku&#39;s closest ally.

Dubbed the &quot;Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP)&quot;, the corridor is a key part of a peace agreement reached last August between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which have been at war on-and-off since the late 1980s. No formal peace deal has been signed.

The route would better connect Asia to Europe - bypassing Russia and Iran - at a time when U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed interest in critical minerals deals with resource-rich Central Asian countries to the east of the South Caucasus region. The mining of iron, copper and zinc and other minerals is also a major sector of Armenia&#39;s economy.

&quot;We are going to be able to work together to make sure that both of our

countries, both of our economies, are going to have reliable access

to these critical minerals,&quot; Rubio said at the

signing ceremony on Tuesday.]]>
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			<title>Medical check up went 'perfectly' says Trump</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610265/medical-check-up-went-perfectly-says-trump</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610265/medical-check-up-went-perfectly-says-trump#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 26 May 26 18:45:11 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[AFP]]>
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				<![CDATA[Donald Trump said an annual medical check-up had gone &quot;perfectly&quot; Tuesday, as the health of the oldest US president ever to take the oath faces growing scrutiny with the approach of his 80th birthday.

It was Trump&#39;s third medical examination since returning to office last year and follows mounting speculation about issues including bruising on his hands and apparent sleepiness during meetings.

&quot;Everything checked out PERFECTLY,&quot; Trump posted on his Truth Social network as he drove back to the White House from the Walter Reed Military Hospital near Washington.

But Trump has long been accused of a lack of transparency about his health -- and the chronology of his various check-ups during his second term has added to the confusion.

He referred to Tuesday&#39;s check up as a &quot;six-month physical,&quot; despite the White House billing it as an annual dental and medical examination when it announced it earlier this month.

Trump&#39;s last scheduled annual check up was in April 2025. But it was followed by an unannounced hospital visit that October, which the White House then also described as an annual physical.]]>
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			<title>Trump envoy arrives for Greenland visit</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2608753/trump-envoy-arrives-for-greenland-visit</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2608753/trump-envoy-arrives-for-greenland-visit#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 18 May 26 02:04:09 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[AFP]]>
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				<![CDATA[US President Donald Trump&#39;s special envoy to Greenland landed in Nuuk on Sunday for a visit of several days to the autonomous Danish territory, local media reported.

Governor of Louisiana Jeff Landry arrived for his first visit in the role and is due to take part in an economic forum in the Greenlandic capital on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Organised by the employers organisation Gronlands Erhverv, the Future Greenland event will bring together investors, political and business leaders to try to encourage investment there.

Landry&#39;s visit comes after international tension over Trump&#39;s repeated claims to the territory, which sparked alarm not just in Greenland and Denmark but across western Europe.

Landry arrived accompanied by around 10 other people and drove off in a convoy of five cars, the local daily Sermitsiaq reported.

The US ambassador to Denmark is due to fly in to Greenland on Monday.

&quot;Together, they will meet with a wide range of Greenlanders to listen and learn with a goal of expanding economic opportunities, building people-to-people ties, and increasing understanding between the United States and Greenland,&quot; said a US embassy statement sent to AFP.

Trump appointed Landry to the post on December 22.

In January, Trump backed down from his repeated threats to seize Greenland, after which Copenhagen and Nuuk held a first meeting in Washington.

Trump has repeatedly argued the US needs to control Greenland because of national security concerns, claiming that if the US does not take the Arctic island then it would fall into the hands of China or Russia.

Last Tuesday, Greenland&#39;s prime minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said talks between the territory, Denmark, and the United States had yet to produce an agreement, even if there had been progress.]]>
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			<title>Trump rules out any deal except ‘unconditional surrender’ as Iran vows to defend its ‘dignity and sovereignty’</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2596085/trump-says-not-currently-considering-us-ground-forces-in-iran</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2596085/trump-says-not-currently-considering-us-ground-forces-in-iran#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 06 Mar 26 05:23:32 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[AFP]]>
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				<![CDATA[Iran says some countries have begun mediation efforts amid retaliatory strikes]]>
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				<![CDATA[United States President &zwnj;Donald Trump demanded Iran&#39;s &quot;unconditional surrender&quot; on Friday and ruled out any deal, a dramatic escalation of his demands a week into the war he launched alongside Israel.

Trump made the remarks on social media just hours after Iran&#39;s president announced that unspecified countries had ​begun mediation efforts in one of the first signals of any diplomatic initiative to end ​the conflict.

&quot;After ⁠that, and the selection of a great and acceptable leader(s), we, and many of our wonderful ​and very brave allies and partners, will work tirelessly to bring Iran back from the brink of ​destruction, making it economically bigger, better, and stronger than ever before.&quot;



https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/116182551337254643



On Thursday, Trump had told Reuters in a telephone interview that he was demanding the right to help select Iran&#39;s new supreme leader, to replace Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, killed ​in the war&#39;s first day.

Israel pounded the Lebanese capital Beirut on Friday after ordering an unprecedented evacuation ​of the entire southern suburbs of the city, in a major expansion of the war.

It carried out heavy air strikes on Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut and started a &quot;broad-scale&quot; wave of attacks against infrastructure in Tehran, while Iran said it targeted the heart of Tel Aviv with missiles.

Explosions and flashes lit up the night sky over Beirut&#39;s southern suburbs. The Israeli military said it had carried out 26 waves of strikes overnight in the southern suburbs, saying targets included Iran-backed Hezbollah militia command centres and weapons storage facilities.

It also launched a new &zwnj;wave ⁠of attacks on Iran, saying 50 of its warplanes had struck a bunker beneath the destroyed Tehran compound of Khamenei, still being used by Iran&#39;s leadership after he was killed.

Iran says some countries have begun mediation efforts amid retaliatory strikes

Earlier, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian revealed that some countries had begun mediation efforts as the Islamic Republic continued its retaliatory strikes against Israel and US military bases in the Gulf region.

&ldquo;Some countries have begun efforts at mediation,&rdquo; Pezeshkian wrote in a post on his official X handle.

&ldquo;Our response to them is clear: we are committed to lasting peace in the region, but we have not the slightest doubt in defending the dignity and sovereignty of our country,&rdquo; he added. &ldquo;The intended audience for mediation should be those who, by underestimating the Iranian people, have stoked the flames.&rdquo;



Some countries have begun mediation efforts. Let&#39;s be clear: we are committed to lasting peace in the region yet we have no hesitation in defending our nation&#39;s dignity &amp; sovereignty. Mediation should address those who underestimated the Iranian people and ignited this conflict https://t.co/MxWCuNYOYR
&mdash; Masoud Pezeshkian (@drpezeshkian) March 6, 2026


Iran&rsquo;s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Kheibar missiles were fired towards Tel Aviv as part of the 21st wave of its &ldquo;Operation True Promise 4&quot;. In a statement, the IRGC said the wave began with a combined missile and drone operation targeting sites in the heart of Tel Aviv.

Overnight, Iranian drones attacked the US Al Udied airbase in Qatar, the biggest US base in the Middle East, Qatari officials said. There were no reported casualties.

The IRGC said Iranian forces had targeted the Ramat David air base and a radar site in Israel, the Al-Adiri camp in Kuwait where US forces are stationed, and a drone attack on a base hosting US troops in Erbil, Iraq.

A Guards spokesperson said new initiatives and weapons would soon be deployed to confront Israeli and U.S. aggression, without giving details.

&quot;This was an &#39;existential war&#39; for Iran, leaving us with no choice but to respond wherever American attacks originate from,&rdquo; Iran&rsquo;s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said at the Raisina Dialogues conference in New Delhi on Friday.

Hezbollah, in a message published in Hebrew on its Telegram channel early on Friday, warned Israelis to leave towns within five kilometres of the border.

&quot;Your military&#39;s aggression against Lebanese sovereignty and safe citizens, the destruction of civilian infrastructure and the expulsion campaign it is carrying out will not go unchallenged,&quot; Hezbollah said.

At least 1,230 people have been killed in Iran since the fighting began a week ago, according to the Iranian Red Crescent Society.

The Lebanese health ministry has reported 123 people have been killed and another 683 wounded as a result of Israeli attacks this week. Its figures do not distinguish between civilians and combatants. There have been no reported fatalities in Israel as a result of Hezbollah attacks.

Azerbaijan was preparing unspecified retaliatory measures on Thursday after it said four Iranian drones crossed its border and injured four &zwnj;people in the Nakhchivan exclave. Iran, which has a significant Azeri minority, denied it targeted its neighbour.

Ground troops in Iran

Trump said on Thursday it would be a &quot;waste of time&quot; currently to consider sending US ground troops into Iran, NBC News reported, dismissing the Iranian foreign minister&#39;s warning that such a move would spell disaster for invaders.

&quot;It&#39;s a waste of time. They&#39;ve lost everything. They&#39;ve lost their navy. They&#39;ve lost everything they can lose,&quot; he told NBC by telephone, adding that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi&#39;s earlier remark that Iran was ready for a US or Israeli ground invasion was a &quot;wasted comment&quot;.



US President Trump said Iran is being demolished &ldquo;ahead of schedule and at levels people have never seen before&rdquo;, claiming the country now has &ldquo;no air force, no air defence&rdquo; and the air force is &ldquo;gone&rdquo;.

🔴 Follow our LIVE coverage: https://t.co/q1Q18tbGFl pic.twitter.com/ILTEFBYY5m
&mdash; Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) March 6, 2026


Trump also indicated he is keen to see Iran&#39;s leadership structure removed and that &quot;we want to go in and clean out everything&quot; quickly.

&quot;We don&#39;t want someone who would rebuild over a 10-year period,&quot; he said. He added that he had ideas for a new leader but declined to name anyone.

Trump said earlier he would &quot;have to be involved&quot; in the appointment of Iran&#39;s next leader after US-Israeli strikes killed Khamenei when the conflict began on Saturday. He rejected the possibility that Khamenei&#39;s son Mojtaba could succeed his slain father, dismissing him as a &quot;lightweight&quot;.

Heavy attacks were reported in Tehran after Israel said it was hitting &quot;regime infrastructure&quot; in a &quot;new phase&quot; of the war it launched with the US against Iran.

Read: Middle East war spreads to Lebanon, Iraq as Israel attacks Tehran

The conflict, now in its seventh day, has seen Iran target Israel, the Gulf states, Cyprus, Turkey, and Azerbaijan. The violence has also spread to the Indian Ocean, where a US submarine sank an Iranian naval ship off the coast of Sri Lanka.

The Iranian ship was invited to take part in the International Fleet Review 2026 in India. The strike killed around 87 sailors.



Welcome! | خوش آمدید!

🇮🇳🤝🇮🇷 Indian Navy welcomes IRIS Dena, of the Iranian Navy, on her arrival at #Visakhapatnam to participate in #IFR2026_India and #MILAN2026, reflecting long-standing cultural links between the two nations.@India_in_Iran #BridgesOfFriendship&hellip; pic.twitter.com/O77v2qNJHJ
&mdash; Eastern Naval Command 🇮🇳 (@IN_HQENC) February 17, 2026


According to former Indian Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal, he wrote in a post on X that, &quot;I am told that as per protocol for this exercise, ships cannot carry any ammunition. It was defenceless.&quot;



The Iranian ship will not be where it was if we had not invited it to talk part in our Milan exercise.

We were the hosts.

I am told that as per protocol for this exercise ships cannot carry any ammunition. It was defenceless.

The Iranian naval personnel had paraded before&hellip; https://t.co/3r8bWFJn8d
&mdash; Kanwal Sibal (@KanwalSibal) March 5, 2026


Araghchi has rejected calls for a ceasefire and stated there was no reason to negotiate with the US. Despite the challenges, Iranian forces continue to retaliate against Israel and its allies. According to Drop Site News, Iran warns that it has not begun using their &quot;new&quot; weapons.

IRGC spokesman Brig. Gen. Ali Mohammad Naeini said, according to Mehr News Agency, &ldquo;The enemy should expect painful blows in every operational wave,&rdquo; he said, adding that Iran&rsquo;s &ldquo;new innovations and weapons&rdquo; have not yet been used on a large scale.



⭕️ Iran warns new weapons have not yet been used

Iran is prepared for a prolonged war and has not yet deployed many of its newest weapons systems, IRGC spokesman Brig. Gen. Ali Mohammad Naeini said, according to Mehr News Agency.

➤ &ldquo;The enemy should expect painful blows in&hellip; https://t.co/54Lc5YXOFe
&mdash; Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) March 6, 2026


US-Israeli escalation

On Friday morning, Iranian media reported heavy strikes in Tehran shortly after Israel&rsquo;s announcement that it was targeting Iran&rsquo;s &quot;regime infrastructure&quot;.

Israel&rsquo;s military chief, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, warned that the US-Israeli campaign had entered the next phase and would &ldquo;further dismantle the regime and its military capabilities&rdquo;.

Zamir also hinted at &quot;additional surprises&quot; to come, but declined to disclose further details. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that &ldquo;firepower over Iran and over Tehran is about to surge dramatically&quot;.



🚨Important: IDF Chief of Staff outlines next phase of war against Iran and Lebanon

▪️On Iran, Israel will escalate strikes aimed at weakening the Iranian state:

&ldquo;We will intensify the blow to the foundations of the regime and its military capabilities. We still have additional&hellip; pic.twitter.com/rJdN0O3UmB
&mdash; Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) March 5, 2026


Iran&rsquo;s Revolutionary Guards responded by launching missiles toward Tel Aviv after an earlier explosion in central Israel caused a fire at a residential building. AFP journalists reported hearing simultaneous explosions in Tel Aviv, while rocket trails lit up the sky in Netanya, further north.

Trump backs Kurds

In the midst of the escalating conflict, Trump expressed support for Iranian Kurdish militias in Iraq, encouraging them to intensify their attacks against Iran.

Speaking to Reuters, Trump stated, &ldquo;I think it&rsquo;s wonderful that they want to do that, I&#39;d be all for it.&rdquo;

These militias, based along the Iran-Iraq border in Iraqi Kurdistan, have been in consultations with the US on launching attacks on Iran&rsquo;s western security forces.

Read more: Iran hits CIA site in Riyadh as US seeks to arm Kurdish forces against Tehran

Security sources reported two Iranian drone strikes on an opposition camp in Iraqi Kurdistan on Thursday, underscoring the rising violence. Iranian Kurdish forces have been preparing for such operations to weaken Iran&rsquo;s military while US and Israeli airstrikes target Iranian installations.

Iran&rsquo;s future leadership

Meanwhile, Hegseth sought to clarify that, despite Trump&rsquo;s comments, there were no changes in the US military&rsquo;s objectives in Iran. &quot;There&rsquo;s no expansion in our objectives. We know exactly what we&rsquo;re trying to achieve,&quot; Hegseth said.

Also read: US investigation points to likely US responsibility in Iran school strike, sources say

Azerbaijan prepares retaliation

Azerbaijan has vowed to retaliate after &quot;Iranian&quot; drones crossed its border and injured four people in the Nakhchivan exclave. President Ilham Aliyev condemned the attacks as an &ldquo;unprovoked act of terror and aggression&rdquo; and vowed to take action.

Hezbollah responds

Hezbollah, an armed force fighting against Israeli aggression in Lebanon, launched missiles in retaliation for the war.

Displaced families are seeking shelter on a beach, facing dire conditions.

Attacks across region

US forces sank an Iranian frigate off the coast of Sri Lanka that had travelled to India to take part in a parade, while Azerbaijan threatened retaliation after a drone attack on an airport. Iran also targeted US bases inside Gulf countries, including Qatar, which intercepted a drone targeting a US base in Al-Udeid. Bahrain reported an alleged attack on a hotel and residential buildings, while Saudi Arabia intercepted three ballistic missiles.

Casualties mount in Iran, Lebanon

In Lebanon, 77 have died. Thousands have fled southern Beirut, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Additionally, two paramedics have been killed in Shiraz, Iran, according to Al Jazeera.



UPDATE: Two paramedics killed in Shiraz, Iran: Report

🔴 LIVE updates: https://t.co/C3iSVX4pRP pic.twitter.com/CXHJVw5D20
&mdash; Al Jazeera Breaking News (@AJENews) March 6, 2026


More than 3,000 homes in Iran were damaged by US-Israeli attacks, according to the Red Crescent.

Pir Hossein Kolivand, president of the Iranian Red Crescent Society, says the US-Israeli attacks have damaged 3,643 civilian sites, including 3,090 homes. Also damaged are 528 commercial and service centres, 14 medical or pharmaceutical facilities and nine Red Crescent facilities, he said.

Most of the targets, he added, were in &ldquo;densely populated residential areas&rdquo;.

Drop Site News reports that 20 more Iranian civilians were killed and 30 injured after US&ndash;Israel strikes hit the Zibashahr residential area of Shiraz, a major city in southwestern Iran about 420 miles south of Tehran, the acting head of the political deputy office of the Fars Province governorate said, according to Islamic State News Agencies.



🚨 New: 20 Iranian civilians killed in U.S.&ndash;Israel strikes on residential area in Shiraz

At least 20 civilians were killed and 30 injured after U.S.&ndash;Israel strikes hit the Zibashahr residential area of Shiraz &ndash; a major city in southwestern Iran about 420 miles south of Tehran &ndash;&hellip; https://t.co/TRKWPIvfDd
&mdash; Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) March 6, 2026


Prolonged conflict preparation

US officials, including Admiral Brad Cooper, head of Central Command, confirmed that strikes from Iran have significantly diminished, with ballistic missile attacks decreasing by 90% and drone attacks down by 83%. However, Pentagon officials reaffirmed their commitment to the ongoing campaign, emphasising the availability of sufficient munitions for a sustained effort.

Global disruptions

The conflict has disrupted global markets, energy supplies, and travel. While oil prices have surged, global logistics and air transport have been heavily affected. Iran claims control over the Strait of Hormuz, a key energy chokepoint, but the US has signalled it may escort ships through the area if necessary.]]>
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			<title>Govt raises petrol price by Rs4.93, HSD by Rs7.15 per litre for July 22</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619510/govt-raises-petrol-price-by-rs493-hsd-by-rs715-per-litre</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619510/govt-raises-petrol-price-by-rs493-hsd-by-rs715-per-litre#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 17:45:43 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Web Desk]]>
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				<![CDATA[Petrol will cost Rs320.73 per litre, while high-speed diesel has been fixed at Rs367.21]]>
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				<![CDATA[The federal government on Tuesday increased the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs4.93 and Rs7.15 per litre, respectively, for July 22.

According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Petroleum, the price of petrol has been fixed at Rs320.73 per litre, while HSD will now cost Rs367.21 per litre.

Amid volatility in global oil rates on the back of renewed hostilities in the Middle East, the government decided to switch to a&nbsp;daily&nbsp;fuel price review mechanism on Friday. The daily pricing is based on a seven-day weekly&nbsp;average&nbsp;of international market prices to align with international standards.

Read:&nbsp;Govt shifts to daily POL pricing amid global headwinds

On Monday, the government raised the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs5.71 per litre while cutting the price of petrol by 35 paisas per litre for one day.

The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority will update petroleum product prices daily on its website to ensure&nbsp;transparency&nbsp;and allow the immediate impact of international price fluctuations to be passed on to consumers.

Officials said international oil prices had&nbsp;surged&nbsp;again following the renewed conflict between Iran and the United States and concerns over the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, threatening global oil supplies, including those to Pakistan.

Domestic fuel prices had initially declined following the Iran-US peace deal but started rising again after fresh hostilities resumed.

The renewed conflict has also raised concerns over potential fuel&nbsp;shortages&nbsp;in the country.

High-speed diesel is widely used in the transport and agriculture sectors, while petrol is primarily consumed by motorcycles and cars. Officials said petrol demand has increased following restrictions on the use of indigenous gas in Punjab.

...................

More to follow.]]>
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			<title>Pakistan seeks $10 billion in US backstop facility to boost reserves, source says</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619526/pakistan-seeks-10-billion-in-us-backstop-facility-to-boost-reserves-source-says</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619526/pakistan-seeks-10-billion-in-us-backstop-facility-to-boost-reserves-source-says#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 19:25:12 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619526</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Loan request follows Pakistan's Iran war diplomacy, aims to boost reserves, ease rupee pressure]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan has asked the United States for a $10 billion exchange stabilization facility, according to a source briefed on the matter, which, if approved, could provide a lifeline for the cash-strapped South Asian economy.

The request, which is being reported for the first time, follows Pakistan&#39;s role in brokering talks over the Iran war, which raised its diplomatic profile and stirred hopes that it could seek economic gains from Washington and other partners.

In the request to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Islamabad is seeking a Bilateral Exchange Stabilization Support Facility between the US and the Pakistani government worth $10 billion with a maturity of up to five years.

Read: PM sees new era in relations with US

The facility, if agreed to, would bolster Pakistan&#39;s reserves, ease pressure on the rupee and reduce its reliance on multilateral financing, even as Islamabad undertakes tighter fiscal and monetary policies in line with its International Monetary Fund programme.

Pakistan remains under $7 billion IMF discipline that has required politically unpopular tax increases, spending restraint and reforms.

Pakistan&#39;s finance ministry did not immediately respond to Reuters&#39; request for comment outside of Asia business hours. The US Treasury also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Exchange stabilization facilities are rare US Treasury backstops, usually routed via the Exchange Stabilization Fund, that provide dollars, swaps or guarantees to support reserves and steady currencies.

These facilities are different from the permanent standing dollar swap lines that the US Federal Reserve has with some major central banks and act as an international supply line of US dollars to underpin financial stability.

A 2025 Argentina package was the first new foreign-government exchange stabilization facility operation since Uruguay in 2002, aside from Mexico&#39;s long-standing swap line, dating to the 1940s and now sized at $9 billion.

Pakistan narrowly avoided default in 2023 with a $3 billion IMF standby deal and later secured a $7 billion Extended Fund Facility, but its reserves still depend on official financing, rollovers and deposits from China and Saudi Arabia.

That leaves Islamabad exposed to shifts in bilateral support and IMF disbursement delays, and that vulnerability got exposed in April when Pakistan repaid about $3.5 billion, one-fifth of its reserves, to the United Arab Emirates, with Saudi Arabia providing $3 billion in fresh support.

Pakistan&#39;s central bank said in January that reserves could return to near their 2021 record, reaching $20 billion by the end of 2026.

Recasting ties with Washington

A US exchange stabilization facility would carry weight as both a liquidity backstop and political signal, easing pressure on reserves and the Pakistani rupee, while reducing the South Asian country&#39;s dependence on IMF tranches and ad hoc rescues.

IMF-backed reforms have stabilized the economy at a political cost, including higher taxes, spending restraint and limited room for development or welfare spending.

Global ratings agency Fitch said in April that Pakistan&#39;s adherence to its IMF programme has supported the country&#39;s funding capacity, while rebuilt foreign exchange buffers provide a cushion against economic shocks from the Middle East conflict.

But deeper constraints remain. Fitch cautioned that rising energy costs and potential supply disruptions could sharply erode the country&#39;s foreign exchange reserves.

Read: Pakistan-US ties based on shared interests, commitment to advancing peace: President Zardari

Foreign investment in Pakistan has remained thin, deterred by recurring external crises, policy uncertainty, security risks, past profit-repatriation curbs and a narrow export base, while the country&#39;s credit rating remains deep in speculative-grade territory, keeping borrowing costs high and market access limited.

Pakistan has sought to use its ties to the Trump administration to address some of these issues, with economic cooperation that has so far spanned crypto, real estate and mining.

Pakistan has signed a stablecoin agreement for cross-border payments with an affiliate of World Liberty Financial, the main crypto business of President Donald Trump&#39;s family, pursued a memorandum of understanding to redevelop the closed PIA-owned Roosevelt Hotel in New York with the US government, and courted US mining investment, including in Reko Diq, where the US Export-Import Bank has announced $1.2 billion in financing.]]>
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			<title>PM Shehbaz urges US, Iran to exercise restraint in meeting with Iranian minister</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619457/iranian-interior-minister-meets-pm-shehbaz-in-islamabad</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619457/iranian-interior-minister-meets-pm-shehbaz-in-islamabad#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 11:33:24 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Web Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Islamabad]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619457</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Momeni appreciates efforts of PM Shehbaz, FM Dar and CDF Munir for their mediation efforts]]>
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				<![CDATA[Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday urged the United States and Iran to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could further destabilise the region during a meeting with Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni.

Momeni, who is on an official visit to Pakistan, called on PM Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad earlier on Tuesday.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office (PMO), &quot;The prime minister shared his deep concern over the recent escalation in the Gulf region and urged all sides to exercise restraint and refrain from actions that could further destabilise the region.&quot;

&quot;While emphasising that Pakistan would continue to play its role as an honest and sincere mediator and facilitator, the prime minister reiterated Pakistan&rsquo;s strong commitment to regional peace and stability,&quot; the statement added.

The PMO said the prime minister welcomed the Iranian interior minister and his delegation to Pakistan.

&quot;The prime minister conveyed his respectful regards and good wishes for Supreme Leader Sayyid Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian,&quot; it said.

According to the statement, Momeni thanked PM Shehbaz for the warm welcome extended to him and his delegation in Islamabad.

&quot;He conveyed the greetings and best wishes of the Iranian leadership and stated that he was leading a delegation of senior government officials to enhance bilateral ties,&quot; the PMO said.

The Iranian minister expressed appreciation for the efforts of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir for their mediation efforts that led to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.

&quot;He also expressed gratitude for the prime minister&rsquo;s visit to Tehran to attend the funeral ceremony of late supreme leader Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei,&quot; the statement read.

DPM Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Adviser to the Prime Minister Dr Syed Tauqir Shah, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and other senior officials were also present.



ISLAMABAD: 21 July 2026.

H.E. Mr. Eskandar Momeni, Interior Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, who is on an official visit to Pakistan, called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister House, earlier today.

Deputy Prime Minister &amp; Foreign Minister&hellip; pic.twitter.com/gjuPqkrhOQ
&mdash; Prime Minister&#39;s Office (@PakPMO) July 21, 2026



Earlier, Momeni attended a ceremonial parade at Islamabad Police Lines during his visit to Pakistan, where he praised the force&#39;s professionalism and presented awards to officers for outstanding performance, according to updates shared by the Ministry of Interior on X.

Momeni arrived in Islamabad on Monday along with a high-level delegation amid fresh tensions in the Middle East. The visit came amid heightened regional tensions after the United States and Iran exchanged strikes, with Washington targeting locations in Iran and Tehran&#39;s forces responding against US military assets in the region.

The US and Iran signed a Pakistani-mediated memorandum of understanding last month to end their conflict and reach a lasting peace agreement, but tensions escalated again.



ایرانی وزیر داخلہ اسکندر مومنی کے اعزاز میں شاندار پریڈ کا انعقاد۔
ایران کے وزیر داخلہ اسکندر مومنی کا وزیر مملکت برائے داخلہ طلال چوہدری کے ہمراہ پولیس لائنز آمد۔

ایران کے وزیر داخلہ اسکندر مومنی کی پریڈ گراونڈ آمد پر پرتپاک استقبال کیا گیا۔ pic.twitter.com/lQ9U6eG1Eu
&mdash; Ministry of Interior GoP (@MOIofficialGoP) July 21, 2026


Momeni, accompanied by Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, received a warm welcome on arrival at the parade ground. The ministry said the Iranian minister commended the professional capabilities of Islamabad Police personnel and distributed awards to officers in recognition of their performance.

Islamabad Inspector General of Police Ali Nasir Rizvi and other senior police officials were also present.

He also visited the Pakistan Monument in Islamabad alongside Chaudhry.



ایران کے وزیر داخلہ اسکندر مومنی کا دورۂ پاکستان
ایران کے وزیر داخلہ اسکندر مومنی کی وزیر مملکت برائے داخلہ طلال چوہدری کے ہمراہ پاکستان مونومنٹ آمد،

فیڈرل کانسٹیبلری کے چاق و چوبند دستے نے ایران کے وزیر داخلہ اسکندر مومنی کو سلامی پیش کی، pic.twitter.com/WBNMFsSiGg
&mdash; Ministry of Interior GoP (@MOIofficialGoP) July 21, 2026


According to the ministry, a contingent of the Federal Constabulary presented the Iranian minister with a guard of honour. He was also briefed on the Pakistan Monument, after which he praised the historical significance of both the monument and the National Martyrs&#39; Memorial.

During the visit, Momeni viewed Islamabad and the Margalla Hills from Shakarparian. Federal Constabulary Inspector General Riaz Nazir Gara, Islamabad Deputy Inspector General of Police Muhammad Jawad Tariq, and other officials also accompanied him.

The Iranian delegation includes the governor general of Sistan-Baluchistan, Iran&#39;s deputy interior minister, deputy minister for urban development and transport, head of the National Iranian Oil Company, a special representative of the agriculture minister and other senior officials.

Also Read: Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni arrives in Islamabad amid fresh Mideast tensions

According to Anadolu, citing Iran&#39;s state broadcaster IRIB, Momeni is visiting Pakistan at the invitation of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to advance bilateral cooperation between Tehran and Islamabad. The Iranian government, in a post on X, stated that the visit aimed to boost border security and bilateral cooperation in transit and agriculture and aligned with the goal to increase trade from $3b to $10b.

&quot;Following his Pakistan visit, Momeni will travel to New Delhi, India, at the invitation of his Indian counterpart to attend the BRICS Meeting of Ministers for Disaster Management, focusing on disaster risk reduction,&quot; it stated.

Conflict escalates

US forces hit Iran for a ninth consecutive day on Monday as concerns grew over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran said two oil tankers had exploded and been immobilised.

In a statement, US Central Command said it had begun &quot;a new wave of strikes&quot; aimed at &quot;degrading&quot; Iran&#39;s ability to attack commercial vessels in the strait&#39;s vital shipping lanes. It gave no further details.

The strikes are part of an escalating cycle of attacks between the US and Iran after an interim ceasefire agreement signed a month ago unravelled, deepening a struggle for control over the Strait of Hormuz that has disrupted energy supplies and stoked fears of global inflation.

A joint de-escalation proposal by Pakistan and Qatar had urged the United States and Iran to return to their pre-July 9 positions &quot;as a first step&quot; to resume stalled talks to permanently end their months-long war, Pakistani government sources told Anadolu.]]>
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			<title>Iranian interior minister discusses border security with CDF Asim Munir</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619482/iranian-interior-minister-discusses-border-security-with-cdf-asim-munir</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619482/iranian-interior-minister-discusses-border-security-with-cdf-asim-munir#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 14:51:17 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[News Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619482</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[ISPR says Pakistan and Iran reaffirm cooperation on regional security and effective border management]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Iran&#39;s Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni called on the Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff&nbsp;Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir&nbsp;at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, the military&#39;s media wing said on Tuesday.



#ISPR
Rawalpindi, 21 July 2026

H.E. Eskandar Momeni, Interior Minister of the Islamic Republic of #Iran called on Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, Chief of Army Staff &amp; Chief of Defence Forces of #Pakistan, at the General Headquarters (GHQ), Rawalpindi.

During the&hellip; pic.twitter.com/2XzurdCjxx
&mdash; Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) July 21, 2026


A statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said,&nbsp;&quot;During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional and bilateral security and effective border management were discussed&quot;.

It added that the visiting Iranian dignitary appreciated Pakistan&rsquo;s consistent efforts and indispensable diplomatic role in easing regional tensions, encouraging de-escalation and serving as an anchor for peace.

​&quot;The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of resolve to maintain close coordination and cooperative mechanisms to safeguard regional security and mutual prosperity,&quot; ISPR noted.

Separately,&nbsp;Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged the United States and Iran to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could further destabilise the region during a meeting with Momeni.



ISLAMABAD: 21 July 2026.

H.E. Mr. Eskandar Momeni, Interior Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, who is on an official visit to Pakistan, called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister House, earlier today.

Deputy Prime Minister &amp; Foreign Minister&hellip; pic.twitter.com/gjuPqkrhOQ
&mdash; Prime Minister&#39;s Office (@PakPMO) July 21, 2026



According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office (PMO), &quot;The prime minister shared his deep concern over the recent escalation in the Gulf region and urged all sides to exercise restraint and refrain from actions that could further destabilise the region.&quot;

&quot;While emphasising that Pakistan would continue to play its role as an honest and sincere mediator and facilitator, the prime minister reiterated Pakistan&rsquo;s strong commitment to regional peace and stability,&quot; the statement added.

The PMO said the prime minister welcomed the Iranian interior minister and his delegation to Pakistan.

Earlier, Momeni attended a ceremonial parade at Islamabad Police Lines during his visit to Pakistan, where he praised the force&#39;s professionalism and presented awards to officers for outstanding performance, according to updates shared by the Ministry of Interior on X.



ایرانی وزیر داخلہ اسکندر مومنی کے اعزاز میں شاندار پریڈ کا انعقاد۔
ایران کے وزیر داخلہ اسکندر مومنی کا وزیر مملکت برائے داخلہ طلال چوہدری کے ہمراہ پولیس لائنز آمد۔

ایران کے وزیر داخلہ اسکندر مومنی کی پریڈ گراونڈ آمد پر پرتپاک استقبال کیا گیا۔ pic.twitter.com/lQ9U6eG1Eu
&mdash; Ministry of Interior GoP (@MOIofficialGoP) July 21, 2026


Momeni arrived in Islamabad on Monday along with a high-level delegation amid fresh tensions in the Middle East. The Iranian delegation includes the governor general of Sistan-Baluchistan, Iran&#39;s deputy interior minister, deputy minister for urban development and transport, head of the National Iranian Oil Company, a special representative of the agriculture minister and other senior officials.

The visit came amid heightened regional tensions after the United States and Iran exchanged strikes, with Washington targeting locations in Iran and Tehran&#39;s forces responding against US military assets in the region. The US and Iran signed a Pakistani-mediated memorandum of understanding last month to end their conflict and reach a lasting peace agreement, but tensions escalated again.]]>
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			<title>Israeli airstrike kills family of six in Gaza, medics say</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619492/israeli-airstrike-kills-family-of-six-in-gaza-medics-say</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619492/israeli-airstrike-kills-family-of-six-in-gaza-medics-say#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 16:13:47 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Reuters video showed rescuers battling flames and removing bodies from the Gaza family home after strike]]>
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				<![CDATA[An Israeli airstrike on Tuesday killed a father, his wife and their four children in Gaza City, setting their home ablaze, health officials said, in the latest deadly attack since a US-backed ceasefire was agreed more than nine months ago.

Medics said the Israeli strike on the family house in the Sabra neighbourhood killed Firas Al-Masri, his wife Salsabeel, their three daughters and their son.

The Israeli military confirmed the strike, saying its target was a Hamas militant and that it was still assessing the outcome of the attack.

A video obtained by Reuters showed rescue workers struggling to put out fires in the house and remove bodies wrapped in white shrouds.

Masri&#39;s father, Abu Yusuf Al-Masri, told Reuters the explosion occurred while the family was asleep, as he mourned the loss of his son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren.

&quot;We were unable to save our grandchildren and children from the flames and the devastation. Around five or six (people) were martyred, most of them children and women, without mercy and without any prior warning,&quot; he said, standing outside the family home.

&quot;There is no relative calm and there is no safe place, at all,&quot; the grey-bearded man added.

Heavy toll since October 

In four separate strikes since Friday, the Israeli military said it had killed four militants from Hamas and Islamic Jihad, three of whom it said had taken part in the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel that sparked the war and had held Israeli hostages seized in the assault.

Later on Tuesday, two separate Israeli airstrikes targeted a vehicle in the central Gaza Strip and an association in Gaza City, killing at least six people and wounding others, Palestinian medics said, taking the death toll for Tuesday to 12.

Read More: Children among 11 killed in Gaza

The Israeli military did not immediately comment on either of the two later incidents.

The latest deaths add to a toll of more than 1,160 Palestinians, mostly civilians, killed by Israeli attacks since an October ceasefire between Israel and Hamas militants took effect, according to Gaza health officials.

Hamas does not usually disclose its losses.

The truce halted full-scale fighting but has not stopped near-daily Israeli strikes. Israel says it is targeting militants. Four Israeli soldiers have been killed by militants in Gaza over the same period.

Mediators including Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and the United States have been trying to advance US President Donald Trump&#39;s plan for ending the conflict in Gaza, which calls for Hamas disarmament and Israeli withdrawals, but there has been little sign of progress.

The war began when Hamas-led fighters attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel&#39;s subsequent offensive has killed more than 73,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials.

Nearly all of Gaza&#39;s 2 million people now live on a tiny strip of land along the coast, mainly in makeshift tents or damaged buildings, facing dire conditions under Hamas control.]]>
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			<title>Burnham targets lower energy bills in first move as UK prime minister</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619499/burnham-targets-lower-energy-bills-in-first-move-as-uk-prime-minister</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619499/burnham-targets-lower-energy-bills-in-first-move-as-uk-prime-minister#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 16:45:02 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[REUTERS]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619499</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[He appointed allies who helped him rise and removed senior figures loyal to former leader, including Reeves.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[British Prime Minister&nbsp;Andy Burnham&nbsp;said on Tuesday he would cut taxes on electricity bills, the first of several early moves to signal his intent to ease cost-of-living pressures and ​quell anger over successive governments&#39; failure to bring change.

On his second day in his new job, Burnham said his government would&nbsp;remove the value-added tax&nbsp;from domestic electricity &zwnj;bills from October 1, cutting around &pound;45 from the average annual bill of around &pound;1,862 ($2,490) that households pay.

With bond&nbsp;investors watching closely&nbsp;for&nbsp;how any fiscal support would be paid for, he said the move would be funded by savings from the cancellation of a &pound;1.8 billion&nbsp;digital ID programme, announced on Sunday.

&quot;We&#39;re taking immediate action to cut taxes on energy bills, put more money in people&#39;s pockets and bring back hope,&quot; he said in a statement, having pledged to give people more &quot;breathing ​space&quot; in their lives.

Burnham tries to move quickly to offer support

Burnham, a 56-year-old former Greater Manchester mayor, wants to move quickly to show people he is &quot;serious about helping them ​out&quot;.

He said on Monday his&nbsp;early policies&nbsp;might not &quot;take all of the pressure off&quot; people struggling with rising prices and that a longer-term plan would be ⁠set out later in the year.

But his calls for the governing Labour Party to get behind his agenda might have fallen on deaf ears. An ally of former prime minister&nbsp;Keir Starmer, Darren ​Jones, said the digital ID scheme was unfunded, questioning whether the new leader had the money to cover his policy move on energy bills.

Read More: Britain&#39;s new prime minister, Andy Burnham, vows to end years of instability

&quot;The government will have to set out how it will pay ​for its new policies at the budget,&quot; Jones said on X.

Markets are listening&nbsp;keenly to how Burnham and his unexpected pick for finance minister, the former defence secretary&nbsp;John Healey, plan to finance the support, after&nbsp;borrowing costs rose&nbsp;on Monday.

First cabinet meeting 

At his first cabinet meeting of top ministers, Burnham again stressed that fiscal discipline was the touchstone for his new government as was a push to make life more affordable.

&quot;(It&#39;s) a second chance at a first impression,&quot; ​he told his ministers, according to his spokesperson.

Healey, who&nbsp;quit as defence minister&nbsp;under Starmer in protest at the lack of funding for the sector, reinforced the message about fiscal discipline and warned his ​cabinet colleagues they would have to look hard at their budgets.

Both Burnham and Healey acknowledged the move on electricity bills might not remove cost-of-living pressures, but the finance minister said it &quot;does indicate that we&#39;re offering a bit of &zwnj;help&quot;.

That went some ⁠way to answer the criticism from energy experts, who questioned whether the change would have a deep impact on households, especially when gas prices have risen due to the&nbsp;conflict in the Middle East, making it likely that the price cap on energy bills will rise in October.

Energy bills have been one of the main drivers of Britain&#39;s cost-of-living crunch after the wholesale gas price, which heavily influences British electricity prices, surged after Russia&#39;s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The Conservative government at the time spent billions of pounds to shield households through the energy price guarantee. But while prices eased from ​mid-2023, they remain up to 60% higher than ​before the energy crisis.

Ruth Curtice, chief executive ⁠of the Resolution Foundation, said the move could benefit higher income families because the cuts were not targeted. &quot;With bills still set to rise over &pound;150 this October, this money would have been better spent on more targeted support,&quot; she said in a statement.

Revolving door of leaders 

Burnham has said he will unveil ​more early policies, telling reporters on Monday he wanted his new government &quot;to do some things that people will feel and feel quite quickly&quot;, especially ​those on the lowest ⁠incomes.

Also Read: Andy Burnham becomes UK&#39;s seventh prime minister in a decade

It is a strategy he hopes can win back voters to Labour and fight a challenge from the populist Reform UK, led by Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage.

There is a lot at stake.

Dubbed the &quot;King of the North&quot; for his dogged defence of Greater Manchester, Burnham is the most popular leader of Britain&#39;s main political parties, for now.

But Britain&#39;s&nbsp;revolving door of prime ministers&nbsp;over the past decade has underlined how quickly parties can move ⁠against leaders who ​are not seen as delivering for voters.

In his&nbsp;first speech as prime minister&nbsp;on Monday, Burnham said his ambition was ​to end rough sleeping in Britain.

To ease pressures on families, he is also expected to look at possible caps to bus fares &mdash; something he did in Manchester &mdash; and other measures, to back up his assertion that &quot;I will put the care of ​people at the heart of everything I do&quot;.]]>
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			<title>UN refugee agency says 144 dead or missing off Mauritania</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619488/un-refugee-agency-says-144-dead-or-missing-off-mauritania</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619488/un-refugee-agency-says-144-dead-or-missing-off-mauritania#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 15:46:38 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[UNHCR says 2,147 people were rescued in 17 sea arrivals recorded in Mauritania so far in 2026]]>
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				<![CDATA[The UN refugee agency said on Tuesday that 144 people have been reported dead or missing off the coast of Mauritania while attempting to reach Europe.

The toll comes after three rescue operations in Mauritania between July 14-18, the UN agency said, calling for more access to education and labour opportunities to create alternatives to dangerous sea crossings.

A total of 143 people died on board a single vessel that left from Bufaloto, Gambia, and was rescued on July 18 after being stranded at sea for 25 days.

The vessel was carrying bodies and 38 survivors, according to the UNHCR, which was present at disembarkation in Nouadhibou, Mauritania, to provide support.

&quot;Among the survivors of all that ship were two children who have lost all their family members during the journey and they are recovering in hospital,&quot; spokesperson Matt Saltmarsh told a UN briefing in Geneva.

&nbsp;



We are deeply saddened and concerned as 144 people reportedly dead or missing off West Africa. pic.twitter.com/YWl6XojrxR
&mdash; UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency (@Refugees) July 21, 2026



He did not immediately have details on whether the victims drowned or died from hunger, thirst or other causes.

The victims were from sub-Saharan African countries, he said, without providing further details.

Read More: Afghans search for dozens missing after devastating flood

Another person was dead on arrival on another vessel that disembarked in Mauritania on July 14, UNHCR said.

Overall, three rescue operations were conducted between July 14-18 in Mauritania and 387 people survived, the UN agency added.

So far in 2026, 17 disembarkations have been recorded in Nouadhibou and Nouakchott, Mauritania, with 2,147 individuals rescued in total.

Arrivals of migrants and refugees to Europe by sea on major routes are down by more than a third this year, with just over 40,000 arrivals compared with 65,407 in the first half of 2025, UN data showed.

But the number of deaths and disappearances remains at &quot;alarming levels&quot;, UNHCR said.]]>
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			<title>At least 15 Indian workers trapped after tunnel blast kills 10</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619434/9-workers-killed-several-others-trapped-in-northeast-indian-tunnel-collapse</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619434/9-workers-killed-several-others-trapped-in-northeast-indian-tunnel-collapse#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 08:16:12 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619434</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Rescue operation underway in Sikkim state where incident took place at a under-construction tunnel]]>
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				<![CDATA[Fifteen Indian workers were feared &zwnj;trapped on Tuesday after a blast caused by a suspected gas &zwnj;leak in a tunnel ⁠at ​a hydroelectric project ​in the rugged state &zwnj;of Sikkim killed ten, ​authorities said.

Monday&#39;s incident took place at state-owned National Hydroelectric Power Corp Ltd&#39;s ⁠project on the Teesta river in the northeastern &zwnj;state&#39;s village of Samardung, district official Subash Ghimirey told Reuters.

A sudden burst of gas suspected ⁠to be methane ⁠trapped or embedded in ​rocks in &zwnj;the tunnel caused an explosion that sent out dense fumes and toxic gas, NHPC said in a statement. * Survival chances for the trapped workers were slim, state disaster ⁠management official Rajiv Roka said, as rescuers had ⁠to battle the fumes, making their task difficult. At least 25 project workers and officials were trapped in the tunnel, NHPC said, a tally that includes the 10 bodies retrieved.

Read: India youth group says protest to continue after Delhi clashes injure 180

Photographs on the ⁠state government&#39;s Facebook page showed rescuers ​wearing orange hazard suits unloading oxygen cylinders,

ropes and other emergency equipment from a vehicle.

Modi assured the state government of &ldquo;every possible assistance from the government of India to support the rescue efforts and provide relief to those impacted by the tragedy&rdquo;.

According to the government, rescue operations are being carried out on a war footing by multiple agencies.

&ldquo;Specialised teams are also assisting in the operation, working tirelessly to evacuate the bodies of the remaining workers trapped inside the tunnel,&rdquo; the statement noted.]]>
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			<title>NDMA issues nationwide alert ahead of pre-monsoon rains, warns of hazards</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615432/ndma-issues-nationwide-alert-ahead-of-pre-monsoon-rains-warns-of-hazards</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615432/ndma-issues-nationwide-alert-ahead-of-pre-monsoon-rains-warns-of-hazards#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 28 Jun 26 14:34:40 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[APP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615432</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Says intermittent pre-monsoon rains expected from June 28 to July 3]]>
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				<![CDATA[National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Sunday advised citizens to stay alert as intermittent pre-monsoon rains were expected across Pakistan from June 28 to July 3.

According to NDMA&nbsp;officials talking to media channels, a dangerous combination of intense heat and expected pre-monsoon rainfall was likely to accelerate glacier melting, triggering a sharp rise in water levels in rivers and streams across Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B), Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), and Azad Jammu and&nbsp;Kashmir.

The authority warned that vulnerable mountainous regions face heightened risks of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), flash floods, and landslides during the forecast period due to rapidly changing and unstable weather conditions.



NDMA issues strong countrywide alert ahead of pre-monsoon rainfall spell, warns of hazards pic.twitter.com/JuCxbEGIZu
&mdash; APP (@appcsocialmedia) June 28, 2026


Residents, tourists and travellers have been strongly advised to exercise extreme caution in high-risk districts, including Hunza, Nagar, Ghizer, Skardu, Shigar, Ghanche, Kharmang, Astore, Diamer, Upper and Lower Chitral and Swat, where sudden weather shifts could create life-threatening situations.

NDMA further urged the public to strictly avoid unnecessary movement near rivers, streams, glacial lakes and riverbanks, stressing the importance of immediate reporting of any unusual or hazardous conditions to local authorities to prevent loss of life and property.

Read More:&nbsp;Lahore swelters before monsoon

Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs) have been placed on high alert with strict instructions to ensure full emergency preparedness, rapid response capability and coordinated action in case of any disaster triggered by the expected weather system.

Overall, NDMA&nbsp;stressed that timely precautions, strict adherence to safety advisories, and coordinated preparedness at all levels were essential to minimise risks, protect lives and reduce potential damage from the expected weather-related hazards.]]>
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			<title>Govt decides to end fuel subsidies after sharp decline in global oil prices</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2614572/govt-decides-to-end-fuel-subsidies-after-sharp-decline-in-global-oil-prices</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2614572/govt-decides-to-end-fuel-subsidies-after-sharp-decline-in-global-oil-prices#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 22 Jun 26 17:51:19 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Web Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2614572</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Committee agrees to withdraw fuel subsidies after benefit already passed on to consumers]]>
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				<![CDATA[Owing to a sharp decline in global fuel prices, the government on Monday decided to discontinue fuel subsidies provided to motorcyclists, small farmers and public transport.

The development comes after recent reductions in petroleum prices, under which petrol was cut by Rs74 per litre and diesel by Rs67 per litre, bringing them down to Rs299 per litre and Rs311 per litre respectively, following a decline in the international market after the US and Iran reached an agreement to end a conflict that had lasted over three months.

The decision was taken during the seventh meeting of the National Steering Committee on Fuel Subsidy, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.



Deputy Prime Minister &amp; Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 chaired the 7th meeting of the National Steering Committee on Fuel Subsidy.

The Committee reviewed the rollout of fuel subsidy for motorcyclists, small farmers, public transport &amp; goods transport in&hellip; pic.twitter.com/I4X55tPKNV
&mdash; Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) June 22, 2026


The committee reviewed the rollout of fuel subsidy for motorcyclists, small farmers, public transport and goods transport across all provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Noting the sharp decline in global fuel prices and that the benefit had already been passed on to consumers, the committee agreed to discontinue the subsidy, with the prime minister&rsquo;s approval.

While appreciating the committee&rsquo;s work marked by sustained interprovincial coordination, the deputy prime minister directed that lessons learnt from the exercise be documented and gaps in data and delivery be addressed to strengthen future initiatives aimed at improving public service delivery.

Also Read: Govt disburses Rs38b in fuel subsidy

The meeting was attended by SAPM Tariq Bajwa, federal secretaries of petroleum and IT, the State Bank of Pakistan governor and senior representatives from all provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Following the oil price surge in the global market after the US-Iran conflict, the government significantly increased petroleum product prices after initially deciding to absorb the burden.

At one point, petrol prices had reached Rs458 per litre in April this year. However, days later, the prime minister announced an immediate Rs80 per litre reduction in the petroleum levy to provide relief to the public.

While announcing the relief, the prime minister also unveiled a fuel subsidy package aimed at shielding the public from rising fuel costs triggered by tensions in the Gulf region.

Under that initiative, motorcyclists were to receive a subsidy of Rs100 per litre, while goods transport, public transport and freight vehicles were also provided support for one month.

Under the same relief measures, small trucks were given Rs70,000 per month, large trucks Rs80,000 and public transport buses Rs100,000 as monthly subsidies.

The initiative also included support for small farmers, who were provided Rs1,500 per acre in assistance.]]>
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			<title>Govt moves to fully digitise passport issuance system</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2614022/passport-system-to-go-fully-digital-with-e-passport-rollout</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2614022/passport-system-to-go-fully-digital-with-e-passport-rollout#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 19 Jun 26 07:45:38 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Web Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Islamabad]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2614022</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Preparatory work for home delivery of passports in Pakistan, abroad completed, service will be launched soon]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The government on Friday decided to transition its passport issuance system to a complete e-passport framework as part of sweeping reforms aimed at modernising immigration services and eliminating fraud.

According to the Interior Ministry, a high-level meeting on Passport and Immigration was held at the headquarters under the chairmanship of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, where key decisions regarding the digital overhaul of the system were approved.

A principal decision was taken to fully shift passport issuance to e-passports, with the move aimed at reducing fraud and forgery in the passport system. However, no deadline has been announced for the phase-out of existing passports.



وزیر داخلہ محسن نقوی کی زیر صدارت پاسپورٹ اینڈ امیگریشن ہیڈکوارٹرز میں خصوصی اجلاس
ڈی جی پاسپورٹس اینڈ امیگریشن محمد علی رندھاوا نے وفاقی وزیر داخلہ کو تفصیلی بریفنگ دی
پاسپورٹ کے اجراء کو مکمل طور پر ای پاسپورٹ پر منتقل کرنے کا اصولی فیصلہ
ای پاسپورٹ پر منتقلی سے فراڈ اور&hellip; pic.twitter.com/UlOOovm4Yv
&mdash; PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) June 19, 2026


The Director General of Passports and Immigration, Muhammad Ali Randhawa, briefed the minister on ongoing reforms and plans. Officials said premium service applicants will now be charged according to the actual cost of passport services.

According to the briefing, preparatory work for home delivery of passports within Pakistan and abroad had been completed, and the service will be launched soon.

From July 1, a cashless payment system will be introduced at passport offices across the country, and online passport applications will also be shifted to the Pak-ID platform.

The meeting also decided to finalise a policy for business passports in consultation with the Federal Board of Revenue.

Also Read: Public cautioned over multiple passports

The ministry said the reforms are part of broader efforts to make the passport system more efficient, transparent, and citizen-friendly.

According to the Ministry of Interior, the e-Passport is a highly secure travel document. It has an electronic chip embedded in one of the passport pages, which will be used to store biometric information about the holder.

The chip contains data that will verify the passport holder&rsquo;s identity and will include the biometrics of the passport holder, the personal data found on the data page of the passport, a unique identification number, and a digital signature.

An e-passport has a contactless chip on it which means that those passports can be read electronically. The newly launched e-Passports in Pakistan are in compliance with the United Nations&rsquo; ICAO standards.]]>
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			<title>PMD forecasts drizzle, light showers in Karachi till Friday</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2613639/pmd-forecasts-drizzle-light-showers-in-karachi-till-friday</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2613639/pmd-forecasts-drizzle-light-showers-in-karachi-till-friday#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 26 09:51:47 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Aftab Khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Predicts thunderstorms and heavy showers in the northern districts of Sindh]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Wednesday forecast dusty winds and light rain in Karachi till Friday, along with thunderstorms and heavy showers in the northern districts of Sindh, as a westerly weather system continued to affect the region.

The Met Office predicted intermittent drizzle, light showers and scattered rainfall in parts of Karachi during the night as the westerly system maintained its intensity.

It added that Jacobabad, Kashmore, Qambar Shahdadkot, Shikarpur and Ghotki were likely to experience dusty winds, windstorms and moderate rain with thunderstorms until June 20.

The weather department also forecast light to moderate rain in Sukkur, Dadu, Khairpur, Sanghar, Naushahro Feroze, Shaheed Benazirabad and Jamshoro during the forecast period.

Authorities advised residents, particularly those living in areas prone to strong winds and thunderstorms, to remain cautious and stay updated on the latest weather advisories.



Weekly Weather Outlook (17&ndash;23 June 2026)#WeatherUpdate #WeeklyWeather #PakistanWeather #RainAlert #Thunderstorm pic.twitter.com/OOUbIecnr0
&mdash; Pak Met Department محکمہ موسمیات (@pmdgov) June 17, 2026



Earlier in the week,&nbsp;PMD&nbsp;forecast widespread dust storms, windstorms and rain-thunderstorms across several parts of the country from June 16, as moist currents from the Arabian Sea were expected to penetrate upper and central regions of Pakistan.

According to the Met Office, the incoming westerly wave was likely to trigger scattered dust storms, windstorms and rain-thunderstorms, accompanied by isolated heavy rainfall and hailstorms in various parts of Punjab between June 16 and 20.

Read More:&nbsp;Pakistan braces for widespread dust storms, thunderstorms from June 16

The Met office said Karachi and its surrounding areas may also experience dust storms accompanied by light rain.

It&nbsp;warned that strong winds, hailstorms and lightning could damage vulnerable infrastructure, including solar panels, electric poles and billboards.]]>
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			<title>Yemen's 'Spider-Man' climber dies after fall into volcanic crater</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2613104/yemens-spider-man-climber-dies-after-fall-into-volcanic-crater</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2613104/yemens-spider-man-climber-dies-after-fall-into-volcanic-crater#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 14 Jun 26 10:08:39 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Web Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2613104</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Civil defence teams recovered his body after nearly 24-hour search and recovery operation]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[A Yemeni free climber who gained social media fame for scaling sheer rock faces without ropes or safety equipment died after falling into a volcanic crater on Friday, according to reports by Al Jazeera

Al-Qa&rsquo;qa&rsquo; bin Antar, 30, also known as Qaqaa Antar al-Absi and dubbed the &quot;Spider-Man of Yemen&quot; online, reportedly fell on Friday while attempting to climb the 120-metre (394-foot) Haradhat Damt volcano crater in Yemen&rsquo;s southern province of Al Dhale, according to Al Jazeera.

He had become widely known for videos showing him climbing steep cliffs and volcanic formations without protective gear, sometimes marking high points on rock faces with white chalk writing.



Yemen&rsquo;s &#39;Spider-Man&#39; has died after falling while climbing the 120-metre Haradhat Damt volcanic crater without equipment.

Tributes have poured in from fans of Al-Qa&#39;qa&#39; bin Antar, who became famous for his videos attempting daring climbs. pic.twitter.com/gazsdVovGQ
&mdash; Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) June 13, 2026


Civil defence teams recovered his body on Saturday after a nearly 24-hour search and recovery operation, Yemen Monitor reported.

Read: Yemen&rsquo;s Houthi leader says group ready for escalation

Footage circulating online appears to show the moment he lost his grip and fell into the crater.



افضل مقطع قد تشاهده
مقطع اسطوري ومرعب للقعقاع 🫣

وهو يمارس هوايته في التسلق ويظهر فيه شجاعته وقوة تركيزة وثقته بنفسه

مقطع يخليك تخاف وانت في غرفتك فوق فرشك ويخلي أعصابك تنهار من شدة التوتر

مقطع سيجعل كبار المتسلقين في العالم يقفون مذهولين pic.twitter.com/CBLXjk3JGP
&mdash; فرفشة٢٤ farfasha24 (@MjhrMwq84778) June 13, 2026


According to Yemen Online, rescue teams deployed diving units, water rescue equipment and lighting systems to reach the difficult terrain inside the crater, where steep rock faces and hazardous conditions significantly hampered efforts.

Yemen Online also previously reported that bin Antar had cited poverty as a motivation for undertaking the dangerous climbs in an attempt to earn income.]]>
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