The recent tragic suicide blast at a political gathering in Bajaur district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), has laid bare the persistent threat of terrorism in Pakistan’s northwestern regions. Despite the government’s claims of initiating investigations, there are growing concerns that such actions may fall short of delivering justice and accountability. However, their concerns were brushed aside, leaving the regions vulnerable to the spillover of extremism through porous borders. A lack of proactivity in addressing the escalating situation in KP and Balochistan is deeply concerning. By heeding the warnings of political actors and involving them in crafting solutions, the government can take decisive steps towards dismantling terrorist networks and fostering peace in KPK and Balochistan.

North Andover, MA (01845)TodayPartly cloudy with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly this evening. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%..TonightPartly cloudy with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly this evening. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.

The Calgary Stampeders were once considered unbeatable at home but have opened as heavy underdogs to the Toronto Argonauts this week. Calgary had a remarkable run at home from 2012 to 2019, posting a combined record of 60-12. The Stampeders were mere mortals at McMahon Stadium coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, going 8-8 during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Calgary dominated their matchup against the Argos at McMahon Stadium in 2022, earning a 29-2 victory. Friday’s game between Toronto and Calgary is schedule for Aug. 4 with kickoff slated for 9:00 p.m. EDT.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China will soon sign a deal to have technical collaboration on hybrid chilli and subsequent export of chilli to China under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Chairman of Pakistan Hitech Hybrid Seed Association (PHHSA) Shahzad Ali Malik has said that besides ongoing hybrid rice collaboration between Pakistan’s Guard Agri and China’s Longping, another agreement is going to be signed for the cultivation of hybrid chilli and subsequent export of chilli to China. “Hybrid chilli seed will be provided by Peppara Seeds along with technical support for commercial cultivation and buyback of dried chilli for export to China will be through Litong Food,” he added. Hybrid seed development in Pakistan has a significant impact on food security by increasing crop productivity, resilience, and nutritional value. To ensure its effectiveness, there must be continued investment in research, infrastructure, and extension services to facilitate the adoption of hybrid seed technology by farmers across the country.

LAHORE - Caretaker Punjab government has approved several amendments in the property tax and motor vehicle tax rates across the province. Pun­jab caretaker cabinet approved these proposals sent by the Secretary Ex­cise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department (ET&NC) in the recent meeting. The cabinet permitted the department to conduct a fresh sur­vey for assessment of property tax in Punjab. He hoped that from January 1, 2024, property tax would be assessed according to the new survey. Earlier, the survey of immoveable properties for property tax was conducted in 2014.

The United Arab Emirates resembles US ‘Teflon President’ Ronald Reagan. UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed doesn’t need to worry about performance ratings. The UAE’s Teflon coating has long dampened the effect of allegations of loose money laundering and sanction compliance controls and human rights abuses, and repeated revelations about covert surveillance and monitoring operations beyond the country’s borders. However, the Teflon shield, the product of one of the Middle East’s most successful nation branding campaigns, may be fraying at the edges. The Fortress deal scrutiny does not mean the UAE’s Teflon is irreparably damaged.

Last year in August, I wrote about “IMF Deals Sans Political Stability.” After a year of painful struggle, we have finally secured a Standby program from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), but political chaos continues to loom large. In our longstanding relationship with the IMF dating back to the 1950s, we have engaged in 12 standby agreements (SBA) and 10 extended fund facilities (EFF) programmes. Therefore, the IMF has now become more prescriptive, introducing a band of a maximum ±1.25% average between the interbank and open market rates during any consecutive 5-business day period. It will be interesting to observe whether remittances are restored post-market-based exchange rate mechanism or if there is a more insidious factor contributing to the continuous fall. The writer is a financial market enthusiast and is attached to Pakistan’s stocks, commodities and emerging technologyPublished in The Express Tribune, July 31st, 2023.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated on Sunday various development projects across Punjab, including a 1,263 megawatts (MW) thermal power plant in Jhang with a capacity of generating 10 billion inexpensive units annually. The PM launched various projects, including Rs50 billion Medical City, Rs52b National Health Support Programme and Rs30b Population Welfare Programme. Besides, he broke ground for SL-3 Lahore Ring Road project, Shadara to Kala Shah Kaku Metro Bus extension project and inaugurated a 1263 MW Punjab Thermal power plant in Jhang with a capacity of generating 10 billion inexpensive units annually. He said that under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the PML-N government had initiated Haveli and Baloki power plants with power generation of 1,200MW each, besides, a 1150MW Bhikki project in Punjab. The prime minister also regretted that due to PTI’s sit-ins at D-Chowk in 2014, President Xi’s visit to Pakistan was postponed.

KARACHI - Pakistan Meteorological Department on Sunday predicted hot and humid weather for most parts of the Sindh province during the next 24 hours. However, light rain is forecast for coastal areas of the province at isolated places during the period. The Minimum and maximum temperatures were recorded in Karachi 32-34 degrees Centigrade, Hyderabad 33-35 degrees Centigrade, Sukkur 36-38 degrees Centigrade, Thatta 32-34 degrees Centigrade, Mohenjodaro 36-38 degrees Centigrade, Dadu is 39-41 degrees Centigrade, Mithi 34-36 degrees Centigrade, and in Nawabshah 37-39 degrees Centigrade. Mainly, hot and humid weather is likely to prevail in the province.

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has lost Rs19 billion due to the cancellation of scheduled flights in one year. The figures revealed that PIA lost Rs19 billion due to the cancellation of flights during one year in 2021. This loss to PIA was due to the cancellation of more than four thousand flights. During the 2021 audit of the Flight Operations Department, it was seen that PIA’s domestic and foreign scheduled flights were 23 thousand 636. Out of 23 thousand 636, 4 thousand 305 flights were cancelled, which is 18 percent of the total scheduled flights.

Russian law enforcement officers and emergencies ministry members work at an accident scene near the damaged office building in the Moscow City following a reported Ukrainian drone attack in Moscow, Russia, July 30, 2023. PHOTO: REUTERSRussia's Defence Ministry said it had brought down three Ukrainian drones early on Sunday that had been trying to attack Moscow. The incident followed what Russia said was a similar Ukrainian attempt to attack Moscow with two drones last Monday, one of which was brought down close to the headquarters of the defence ministry. The Defence Ministry said two drones had crashed in the Moskva-Citi district after being brought down using radio-electronic equipment. Glass and debrisA young woman who gave her name only as Liya described the Moscow incident.

San Diego State football season ticket sales are running 23 percent behind 2022 totals, with 10,307 season tickets sold so far this year compared to 13,400 at this point last year. The Aztecs are aiming for the “12,000 range” in season tickets this season, Walker said. That would be in line with sales from 2017-19, the last three seasons at SDCCU Stadium, though higher ticket prices at Snapdragon have significantly increased revenue. Group sales will be more of a priority this season, Walker said. “This year, we’re doing group functions, having larger groups come out and do tailgates and those sort of things.”It is an unusually front-loaded home schedule, with four games at Snapdragon Stadium in the season’s first five weeks.

As of 2022, the CPEC had brought $25.4 billion in direct investment to Pakistan and created about 236,000 jobs there. It helped Pakistan generate 8,000 megawatts of electricity and build 886 kilometres of national core transmission grid, according to the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan. While China and Pakistan have kept on promoting high-quality development of the CPEC, Western media use debt trapsť and unqualified projects to smear the BRI project. Danish, a manager of Power-China’s construction project group in Pakistan, told the Global Times that in the field of green energy, Pakistanis are impressed by the technology accumulation and construction efficiency of Chinese companies. Power-China has completed the construction of 22 wind power projects in Pakistan, with a total installed capacity of 1.14 million kilowatts.

PTI leader Asad Qaiser has claimed that one-sided and negative propaganda against his party is making it more popular. In a video message, Qaiser called for an end to what he called ongoing ‘propaganda’ against his party. He said they (rulers) were in misconception and more negative propaganda would make the PTI more popular. Qaiser said whether the alleged ploy to keep the party out of the upcoming elections would bring stability to the country. The PTI leader said only the nation would decide whether to bring the PTI chairman back to power or someone else.

Hot and humid weather is expected in most parts of the country during the next twelve hours. Rain wind and thundershower is expected at scattered places in northeast Punjab, Pothohar region, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northeast Balochistan, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. Temperature of some major cities recorded this morning:Islamabad twenty-five degree centigrade, Lahore twenty-four, Karachi twenty-nine, Peshawar twenty-six, Quetta twenty-two, Gilgit eighteen, Murree seventeen and Muzaffarabad twenty-one degree centigrade. According to weather forecast of Met Office for Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, partly cloudy weather with chances of rain-wind and thundershower is expected in Srinagar and Pulwama while cloudy weather with chances of rain-wind and thundershower in Jammu, Leh, Shopian, Baramula and Anantnag. Temperature recorded this morning:Srinagar, Pulwama and Shopian sixteen degree centigrade, Jammu twenty-five, Leh eight, Anantnag and Baramula fifteen degree centigrade.