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ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Friday declared the session court’s maintainability verdict in the Toshakhana case against Imran Khan “void”. “The session court should hear and decide again,” the IHC said. Meanwhile, the court has also rejected Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman (PTI) Imran Khan’s request to transfer the case to another court. It also issued a notice on the application against the decision to reject the list of witnesses. “Additional Sessions Judge Humayun Dilawar will hear the case,” the verdict read. Petition dismissed by SC The Supreme Court had earlier in the day dismissed the ex-prime minister’s petition against trial…

ISLAMABAD  – In yet another hasty decision, the Senate on Friday passed a bill to set up an authority to counter money laundering and terror financing despite opposition by some senators. The “National Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Financing of Terrorism Authority Bill” was tabled in the Senate by State Minister for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar. The draft says the proposed authority will be headed by a chairman and will consist of the federal secretaries for finance, foreign affairs and interior; the State Bank of Pakistan governor, chairpersons of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, National Account­ability Bureau and…

ADDIS ABABA: Ethiopia’s federal government on Friday declared a state of emergency following days of clashes in the Amhara region between the military and local militiamen. Fighting that broke out across Ethiopia’s second-largest region earlier this week between the Fano militia and the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) has quickly become a major security crisis. Amhara’s government on Thursday requested additional help from federal authorities to reimpose order. The statement by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s office announcing the state of emergency did not say whether it applied only in Amhara or across the country.

LAHORE  – Cement sales in Pakistan rose 57.44 per cent to clock in at 3.212 million tonnes in July 2023 against 2.040 million tonnes during the corresponding period of last fiscal year, data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) shows. Cement manufacturers sold 2.776 million tonnes in the domestic market during July, compared to 1.887 million tonnes in July 2022, showing an increase of 47.15pc. Cement exports also increased by a massive 183.91pc, as volumes went up from 153,517 tonnes in July 2022 to 435,854 tonnes in July 2023. A region-wise breakdown showed that north-based cement makers…

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has proposed that parliament be dissolved on August 9, three days before the end of its term, political sources said on Friday, paving the way for a general election by November. The elections are due to go ahead after speculation they might have to be postponed because of months of political and economic turmoil. Two members of parliament who attended a dinner hosted by PM Shehbaz on Thursday told Reuters that he confided in his allies that he would seek a dissolution on August 9 and hand over to a caretaker government to organise the…

WASHINGTON: Top-seeded Jessica Pegula reached her eighth WTA quarter-final of the year on Thursday, but the anticipated men’s clash between Taylor Fritz and Andy Murray was postponed as rain washed out the night session of the hardcourt tennis tournament in Washington. Pegula, ranked fourth in the world and the 2019 champion in Washington, defeated lucky loser Peyton Stearns 6-3, 6-4 to set up a mouthwatering quarter-final meeting with Ukrainian Elina Svitolina on what promises to be a busy Friday. Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk also advanced, toppling women’s second seed Carolina Garcia of France 6-2, 6-3. Men’s top seed Fritz and three-time…

DHAKA: Tamim Iqbal has stepped down as Bangladesh one day international (ODI) captain and will miss the Asia Cup as he continues to recover from a back injury, the opener has said. Tamim announced his shock retirement last month before reversing the decision within 24 hours following his meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Talking to reporters on Thursday, the 34-year-old said he discussed his injury issue with Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Nazmul Hassan before relinquishing captaincy. “I have always helped the team over everything else. Keeping that in mind, stepping down is the best possible decision,” Tamim said.…

Ukrainian sea drones attacked a Russian navy base near the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, a major hub for Russian exports, early on Friday and were destroyed by Russian warships, Russia’s defence ministry said. The attack prompted the Novorossiysk port to temporarily halt all ship movement, according to the Caspian Pipeline Consortium which operates an oil terminal there. Russian social media users reported hearing explosions and gunfire near Novorossiysk on Friday morning. If confirmed it would be the first Ukrainian attack on one of Russia’s main commercial ports. The Caspian Pipeline Consortium which loads oil onto tankers in Novorossiysk said…

ISLAMABAD (PEN) :In an interview, Pakistani Ambassador to China, Moin ul Haque, highlighted the significant impact and achievements of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) on Pakistan’s economy and development. The CPEC has transformed Pakistan’s economic landscape by upgrading infrastructure and addressing energy needs, leading to increased connectivity and smoother communications. Around 50 completed projects with an investment of $25 billion have created over 200,000 jobs, reducing poverty and empowering the population. The CPEC’s second phase will focus on socio-economic development, science, technology, agriculture, and industrialization. Pakistan’s priorities include building high-quality infrastructure, enhancing connectivity, and fostering regional economic integration. Pakistan views…

BEIJING (PEN): The 10th Anniversary Ceremony for China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and China-Pakistan Economy and Trade B2B Forum was held in Shenzhen, China. At the invitation of the Shenzhen Municipal Government and the China-Pakistan Trade, Investment and Technology Cooperation Center, guest including Rana Ihsaan Afzal Khan, Coordinator to Prime Minster of Pakistan on Commerce and Industry, Muhammad Asif Noor, Chief Executive Officer at Belt and Road Consultants Pvt Limited, Mr. Fu Chaoyang, Chairman of the Board of Directors of China Ocean Group Industry Co., Ltd, Ms. Zhu Yanyan, President of China-Pakistan United (Shenzhen) Economy and Trade Management Co., Ltd.,…