Islamabad: The collection of petroleum levy has increased by almost 100% on annual basis from July to March. According to the report, the levy collection in the first 9 months of the current financial year was 719 billion 56 crore rupees, while last year, the levy collection from July to March last year was 362 billion 48 crore rupees. Prices of petroleum products were reducedThe target of collection of petroleum levy for the current fiscal year is set at 869 billion rupees and the IMF has estimated the collection from the levy at 918 billion rupees for the current fiscal year. In the last financial year, 580 billion rupees were collected in the form of petroleum levy, at this time, a levy of 60 rupees is being collected per liter of petrol, while a levy of 60 rupees per liter of high speed diesel is imposed.

Among T20 bowlers, England’s Adil Rashid is number one, Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi is at number 14 after three ranks. Among T20 bowlers, England’s Adil Rashid is number one, Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi is at number 14 after being promoted by three ranks. / File PhotoDubai: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released the rankings of T20, ODI and Test players. Among the T20 bowlers, England’s Adil Rashid is number one, Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi is ranked 14th after three places. New Zealand’s Kane Williamson is first, England’s Jurort is second and Pakistan’s Babar Azam is third in the ranking of Test batsmen.

BEIJING: At the invitation of China, representatives of the Palestinian National Liberation Movement (Fatah) and the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) recently came here for in-depth and candid talks on promoting intra-Palestinian reconciliation, and achieved positive progress, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson confirmed, according to XINHUA. Spokesperson Lin Jian told a daily press briefing in response to a related query that the two sides fully expressed their political will to achieve reconciliation through dialogue and consultation, discussed many specific issues, and made positive progress. “They agreed to continue this dialogue process and strive for the early realization of Palestinian unity,” Lin said, noting that the two sides highly appreciate China’s firm support for the just cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate national rights, and thanked China for its efforts to promote Palestine’s internal unity and reached an agreement on the next step of dialogue.

Pakistan Saturday welcomed the adoption of the resolution titled “Measures to Combat Islamophobia,” by the UN General Assembly with an overwhelming majority. The resolution was presented by Pakistan on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) as a follow-up of the General Assembly Resolution 76/254, which designated 15th of March as the International Day to combat Islamophobia. Pakistan welcomed the General Assembly’s call for the appointment of a “United Nations Special Envoy to combat Islamophobia”. This historic appointment will be the first of its kind, exclusively dedicated to combating the scourge of Islamophobia. The adoption of the resolution comes at a critical time, amidst rising Islamophobia, as manifested by an increasing number of incidents of discrimination, violence, and incitement against Muslims around the world.

Later, a record partnership between Angelo Perera and Peter Trego propelled Rajasthan Kings to an emphatic 7 wicket win over Delhi Devils. For his outstanding performance, Shaun Marsh was named the player of the match, his innings adorned with six sixes and an equal number of boundaries. In the second match of the evening, Rajasthan Kings engaged in a high-scoring contest, successfully chasing down a challenging target of 165 runs with seven wickets in hand and 8 balls to spare. In their pursuit of 165 runs, Rajasthan Kings faced early setbacks with captain Robin Uthappa (12), Jatin Saxena (0), and Hamilton Masakadza (8) departing within the first 14 balls. Perera remained unbeaten on 100 runs, embellishing his innings with 16 fours and two sixes.

Development has advanced owing to human welfare. They are even trying to make the moon and Mars, the only natural satellites of the earth, suitable for human habitation. The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan in World War II killed approximately 140,000 people in Hiroshima alone. Modern science and technology have advanced a long way; however, their use for human welfare is good in all cases. Otherwise, development will never be the leader of world peace.

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, through the religious attaché of the Saudi Embassy in Pakistan, launched the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Gift Program to distribute luxury dates in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The event took place at the Saudi Embassy in Islamabad in the presence of the Saudi Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki and the religious attaché in Pakistan, Yahya Sufiani, Saudi Press Agency reported. Ambassador Al-Maliki said that the blessed program comes as part of programs directed by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to be held in the holy month of Ramadan in several countries, including Pakistan, and is implemented under the direct follow-up of the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al Al-Sheikh. “This program distributes 10 tons of luxury dates, amounting to 30,000 individual gifts,” Ambassador Al-Malki stated. “These gifts symbolize the bonds of brotherhood and goodwill between the people of Saudi Arabia, its government, and its wise leadership, and the people of Pakistan,” he added.

The government announced the new prices of petroleum products. The Finance Ministry has announced a reduction in the price of diesel by Rs 1 77 paise per liter while deciding to maintain the price of petrol. According to sources in the Ministry of Finance, the price of kerosene oil has been reduced by Rs 1.35 paise per liter while the price of light diesel oil has been reduced by Rs 2.12 paise per liter. The Ministry of Finance says that the price of petrol will remain at 279 rupees 75 paise while the new price of diesel has been fixed at 285 rupees 56 paise per liter. According to the Ministry of Finance, the new prices will be applied from March 16 to March 31.

The most powerful space rocket in human history has made its first successful flight around Earth’s orbit. Elon Musk’s company SpaceX’s Starship spacecraft is designed to take humans to the Moon and Mars. Earlier, 2 test flights of Starship had failed but the third Baria rocket was able to fly into space. This video from SpaceX shows parts of the starship spacecraft becoming extremely red from the superheated condensed plasma during re-entry to Earth. According to experts, this is the best video of a spacecraft re-entry to Earth.

Following the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya on the premises of the demol­ished Babri mosque, a wave of fear was observed among Muslims for their religious sites. Since then, a large number of minorities have been facing re­ligious persecution. Coming back to the Ram tem­ple, the 210 million minority Mus­lims feel a sense of insecurity in protecting their religious sites. The secular state of India should take some pragmatic measures to protect the religious sites of mi­norities and halt its moves to de­molish the archaic religious sites. It must engage with the religious elements of all faiths to sort out complicated issues through dia­logue and must not use religion to gain political fame.

Plastic waste wash ashore in the beach next to the Panama Canal. “I believe the biggest challenge we are facing here is the intensive use of plastic by consumers, such as using plastic water bottles.”DID YOU KNOW? • Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam generate almost 50% of total plastic waste in Saudi Arabia. “Until now, regulations have not been enforced to eliminate plastic products from the local market,” said Al-Fadl. For example, large, medium and small sizes of plastic water bottles are unacceptable.

Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar pushed forward seven ordinances and two bills amidst vehement opposition protests. Ayub accused the government of making unjust alterations to laws, citing the proposed removal of the word "difficulties" from 'The Pakistan Postal Services Management Board (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023' as an example. Ayub further scrutinised the alterations proposed in 'The Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023', questioning the level of scrutiny from standing committees. He expressed concern over potential repercussions, referencing 'The National Highway Authority (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023'. In response to the uproar, Minister Tarar condemned the opposition's actions, urging them to read the ordinances before making judgments.

Even though it’s too soon to be excited, this development has been a welcome surprise. Despite all of their disagreements, Pakistan’s prime minister and KP’s chief minister were able to have “good talks” on Wednesday about their future partnership. Therefore, it makes sense for the PTI government in KP and the PML-N government in Islamabad to maintain a steady working relationship. Since he presently has the upper hand, Mr. Sharif would want to think about other ways to defuse the situation, such advocating for the early release of political prisoners. Half of the crises will be resolved if politicians can come to an agreement to settle their differences between themselves.

Israeli politicians and soldiers destroyed Gaza, indulging in the happy fantasy of settling Israeli immigrants in Gaza. Genocide experts say such open and active support for the genocide has never appeared for anybody in the past. For a genocide to take place, two things are necessary: the infrastructural and material capacity to carry out the genocide and the continuation of the genocide under a name other than genocide. Many are losing their jobs accused of criminal activities for supporting Palestine. The Gaza war is having a very negative impact on the lives of Israeli citizens.

As the first- ever female provincial chief minister has set a landmark in national history, I would like to draw the attention of the Punjab chief executive towards the crisis that is currently hounding the country; both the centre and the provinces. She should work to transform the old model of governance into a modern one. I am sure she has plenty of ideas to do that. Change is surely needed. MUMRAIZ KHANKARACHI