LAHORE MIRROR — Pakistan has become the world’s third-largest cryptocurrency market, with around 40 million Pakistanis holding crypto accounts, the chairman of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA), Bilal Bin Saqib, told a Senate committee on Monday. Briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat, Mr Bin Saqib said virtual asset technology was gaining traction globally, with governments including those of Dubai and Thailand embracing the sector. He said the State Bank of Pakistan had kept digital assets under restrictions for around eight years, arguing that banning technology amounted to “freezing yourself”. Bin Saqib said PVARA had issued no-objection…
Author: Faisal Ali Ghumman
LAHORE (AFP) — Iran said Monday it targeted US military targets in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Jordan following US strikes on Larak Island. Iran’s military said that it attacked US military personnel at an air base in the UAE, state TV reported. Tehran “targeted the areas where US helicopters and personnel are stationed at Al Minhad Base in the UAE, using dozens of attack drones,” the army said, adding that the strikes were in retaliation for a US attack on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz. In a separate statement, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they attacked US military…
LAHORE MIRROR (REUTERS) — Oil prices were trading more than 2% higher on Monday after the US attacked an Iranian island in the Strait of Hormuz and drew retaliation from Tehran, as their conflict extended into its sixth month. Brent crude oil futures climbed $2.21, or 2.51%, to $90.31 a barrel as of 0436 GMT while US West Texas Intermediate crude was at $85.23, up $1.83, or 2.19%. US forces struck two launchers on Iran’s Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, the first known American strikes on the country since late July. In response, Iran attacked two US air bases in Jordan, Iranian media reported…
LAHORE MIRROR (AFP) — At least seven people have died as a passenger ferry capsized off Northern Cyprus on Sunday, Turkish state media reported. A local official told AFP the ferry has “completely sunk to a depth of 514 metres”, while another local official said seven people had died. TRNC Prime Minister Unal Ustel said the vessel had been carrying a total of 267 people when it rolled over shortly after leaving port, according to Turkish state news agency Anadolu. Ustel added that 172 people had so far been rescued and that operations were continuing to evacuate the remaining passengers and crew, Anadolu said. Turkiye’s…
LAHORE MIRROR — Islamabad and Riyadh have agreed to increase Pakistan’s agricultural and food exports to Saudi Arabia to three billion dollars over the next two years. The understanding was reached during successful talks between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The Pakistani delegation was led by Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain and Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Engineer Abdulrahman A. Al-Fadley. The talks were held during the Saudi delegation’s visit to Islamabad from August 26 to 28, which came at the personal interest of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The Prime Minister also met the…
LAHORE MIRROR (AFP) — Mohammad Abbas finally achieved a coveted place on the Lord’s honours boards with a five-wicket haul on Sunday, but Pakistan were still set a daunting 389 to win the second Test against England. The veteran seamer took 5-57 in 22 overs as England were dismissed for 208 in their second innings on the fourth morning as they looked to go an unassailable 2-0 up in this three-match series. Pakistan will have to set a record if they are to achieve an improbable win. The highest fourth-innings total to win a Test at Lord’s is the West…
LAHORE MIRROR — France has permanently closed its consulate in Karachi, with the diplomatic mission formally announcing the closure. The French Consulate conveyed a “Goodbye Karachi” message and removed the French and European Union flags from its premises. In a farewell message, the consulate thanked its friends and partners in Karachi for their support and cooperation. The closure follows a decision by the French government to shut the Consulate General in Karachi on budgetary grounds. Last month, French Consul General in Karachi Alexis said in an address at a ceremony marking France’s National Day that the French government had decided…
LAHORE MIRROR — At least eight people were killed and three others injured in an exchange of fire between two groups in the riverine area of Dadu, police said on Saturday. According to police, the two groups were involved in a longstanding land dispute in Dadu, which escalated into an argument over the use of a passage. The confrontation subsequently turned violent, with both sides opening fire. Eight people were killed in the firing, while three others sustained injuries. The injured were shifted to the hospital for medical treatment, police said. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took notice of…
LAHORE MIRROR — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday approved the immediate suspension of eight officials, including Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) Executive Director Professor Dr Imran Sikandar, following an interim investigation into the hospital tragedy. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Shehbaz chaired a high-level meeting in Lahore to review the PIMS incident, during which the interim report of the investigation committee was presented. On the committee’s recommendations, the prime minister approved the immediate suspension of eight individuals and ordered departmental and criminal proceedings against those found responsible. The suspended officials include Pims…
LAHORE MIRROR (AFP) — England’s push for a series-clinching win over Pakistan was halted by rain on Saturday, with no play before lunch on the third day of the second Test at Lord’s. Conditions had started to ease, however, with the umpires planning an inspection at 1:15pm local time (5:15pm PKT) provided there was no further rain. England, bidding to go 2-0 up in a three-match series, are in a commanding position at 81-3 in their second innings. Their overall lead of 261 is more than Pakistan have managed in three completed innings so far this series. Pakistan have also…
