Pakistan and Iran have chalked out a five-year trade cooperation plan with a trade target of five billion dollars. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, at a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in Islamabad, said the five-year plan was envisaged to run from 2023 to 2028. Bilawal said the plan is aimed at removing impediments to bilateral trade, finalisation of the Free Trade Agreement and establishment of institutional linkages between private sectors of both countries. The foreign minister also discussed the grave human rights situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). He added we have agreed to set up a special economic free trade region along the common border points.

The borrowing from commercial banks, however, was significantly lower than the auction target of Rs160 billion as banks were seeking higher returns on extending financing to the state. The government on Wednesday borrowed almost the entire amount, ie Rs70.76 billion, through the sale of three-year PIBs at 19.32% rate of return. The return could have gone significantly higher had the auction target of Rs160 billion been met. The government cannot directly borrow from the central bank and is bound to acquire financing from commercial banks under the IMF loan conditions. Central bank lending through the printing of new currency notes has been a major cause of high inflation in the country.

From The Tribune staff reportsBIRMINGHAM — The University of Alabama’s Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo has been named Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) on Tuesday, August 2. She is replacing Dr. Anthony Faucci who vacated the position in 2022. Lawrence A. Tabak, D.D.S., Ph.D., acting director for the National Institutes of Health, made the announcement and extended a warm welcome to Dr. Marrazzo. “This is a great opportunity for Dr. Marrazzo to make a big difference to the country, and it is indicative of the high regard that exists for both her and UAB. She is expected to begin her role as NIAID Director in the fall.

It is good to see that the government is set on dissolving assemblies so that procedures for holding the elections can begin. Earlier, the government had denied the possibility of holding elections as per the latest census because the results had not been notified, and a few irreconcilable differences remained. The activity was conducted for the good of the public, and to ensure that the next elections would be more representative. Given that most members of the opposition have resigned from the National Assembly also presents issues of its own. This is something that the government cannot afford, especially after promises of timely elections.

Initiated in 2018, the MILGEM project envisages the construction of four Corvettes for the Pakistan Navy – two in Pakistan and two in Turkiye. The prime minister said Recep Tayyip Erdogan was a great leader which was reflected by his “wonderful” victory in the recent poll. The prime minister earlier attended the launching ceremony of the third Naval Corvette, PNS Khyber, in Istanbul, in November 2022. The MILGEM project represents an enduring symbol of Pakistan-Turkiye collaboration in the maritime domain. The prime minister said that Pakistan Navy was fully dedicated to ensuring the high-quality maritime activities.

Says we celebrate each others’ success stories, stand together in face of challengesSays CPEC bound to increase quantum of Sino-Pak business, and Turkiye is a natural partnerKARACHI: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reiterated his invitation to brotherly country Turkiye for joining the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), citing the latter as a “natural partner”. The premier made the remarks while addressing the launch of the fourth Milgem class corvette at the Karachi Shipyard, where Turkiye Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz was also present. In November last year, the premier had invited Turkiye to join CPEC to bring about regional prosperity, alleviate poverty and empower people through better education and health facilities. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Vice President of Türkiye Mr. Cevdet Yilmaz cutting a cake to celebrate the launching of Pakistan's 4th MILGEM Corvette "PNS Tariq" in Karachi. PM Shehbaz further said that Turkiye also stood by Pakistan during last year’s devastating floods, saying that it was “very valuable and timely help”.

The Ottawa Redblacks have signed American receiver Maurice Ffrench to their practice roster. The five-foot-eleven, 200-pound target was released by the Edmonton Elks on July 24 after starting four games at slotback. The 24-year-old went unselected in the 2020 NFL Draft but signed with the Kansas City Chiefs and spent his rookie year on their practice roster. Ffrench’s signing came one day after the Redblacks released American receiver Raphael Leonard from the practice roster. The Redblacks (3-4) are scheduled to visit the Saskatchewan Roughriders (3-4) on Sunday, Aug. 6 with kickoff slated for 7:00 p.m. EDT.

From FSU Sports Info:Verse, Benson and Wilson earned the second-, fourth- and sixth-highest vote totals, respectively, and Verse led all defensive players with 136 votes. He re-set his career-high rushing total in each of those three weeks, becoming the first FSU rusher since Dalvin Cook in 2016 with three straight 100-yard games. Benson finished the year with five 100-yard rushing games, the most in a season by an FSU runner since Cam Akers in 2019. Wilson was a second-team All-ACC performer last season after making 43 receptions for 897 yards and five touchdowns. His receiving yards total was seventh in the ACC.

“I started reading books on spiritual warfare and, literally, that was the only way I got over (the depression),” Dickerson said. “I think the devil has convinced us, even through songs and through music, just to say bad things,” Dickerson said. At the beginning of this year, however, Dickerson said she felt God was telling her to write a book on how to overcome depression. “I really didn’t know anything about publishing a book, but I just made it a priority. Dickerson said she’s hoping the book will plant a seed to show someone else how to break free from depression.

LAHORE-The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has constituted a high-profile Cricket Technical Committee (CTC), consisting former Pakistan captains Misbah-ul-Haq (head), Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Hafeez. The CTC will have the powers to invite additional cricket experts and shall report to the head of the PCB Management Committee on a regular basis. PCB Management Committee Chairperson Zaka Ashraf said: “I am delighted to welcome Misbah-ul-Haq, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Hafeez on board for the betterment of cricket in our country. These three former captains possess great cricket knowledge and understand the demands of modern-day cricket. “Domestic cricket structure is a pillar of any cricketing nation.

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Hastings, NE (68901)TodayPartly cloudy with late night showers or thunderstorms. Low around 70F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..TonightPartly cloudy with late night showers or thunderstorms. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.

Every year, millions of Muslims from around the world embark on the sacred journey of Hajj, a pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Among the essential rituals during Hajj is the act of collecting Zam Zam water from the well of Zamzam, located within the Masjid al-Haram, the Grand Mosque in Makkah. This revered act holds great spiritual significance for Muslims, as the water is believed to possess unique blessings and healing properties. Recently a video has been going viral of pilgrims snatching the zam zam water bottles some even pushing each other around and even getting on top of counters to get it. Some of her noted work includes Ishq-e-Benaam, Yaqeen Ka Safar and Choti Choti Batain.

ISLAMABAD - Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Inte­rior Attaullah Tarrar on Tuesday alleged that with fixing of PTI chief Imran Niazi’s case for hearing by the apex court a “new standard of justice” had been set up. Addressing a press conference, he ques­tioned as to why the Paki­stan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman was favoured out of the way. “There is hardly an applicant in the country whose case has been fixed for hearing twice in the apex court against the trial court’s proceedings,” the SAPM added. He said Imran Niazi filed two applications in the trial court to stop the Toshakhana case proceed­ings and nine in the high court, but all were rejected and same was the case for his plea before the Supreme Court in that regard, which was also turned down. Now once again he had filed an­other application in the apex court to stop the trial court’s proceedings and that was fixed for hearing, which was unprecedented, the SAPM added.

The consultants on the Ring Road project have recommended the route from Banth to the Thalian Interchange on M-2 as the optimal route for the longdelayed 38.3-km long road. The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) had signed an agreement with a joint venture between Pakistani and Turkish firms – Asian Consulting Engineers and Botek Bosporus Technical Consulting Company – for third-party validation consultancy services to determine the best route for the Ring Road. The preceding PTI government had also finalised the same route recommended by the consultants after it revised the project following corruption allegations. Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaqat Ali Chatha, who is also the project director of the Ring Road project, presided over a consultative meeting of all the stakeholders on Tuesday in which the recommendation was shared. The consultant further suggested that a detailed study of phase-II, in consultation with the NHA, should be done either using M-2 and M-1 highways or exploring a new road bypassing Islamabad airport which would connect the Ring Road to Sangjani, N-5.