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  • Tears and fury as families bury bus attack victims – Newspaper

    Tears and fury as families bury bus attack victims – Newspaper

    • One victim had married just three months ago; another’s father dies of shock when body brought home
    • CM Bugti reviews security situation, orders Levies, police to pursue suspects without jurisdictional constraints
    • PM Shehbaz condemns killings, vows strong action against terrorism

    QUETTA: The nine victims who were abducted and killed in Balochistan after gunmen stopped two passenger buses on a highway, were laid to rest in their native towns on Friday.

    The attacks occurred on Thursday evening in the Sur-Dakai area, located on the border between the Zhob and Loralai districts, as the buses were travelling from Quetta to Punjab.

    Security forces recovered the bodies of all nine victims from the mountainous area of Doob in Zhob district during a search operation overnight. The bodies were shifted to the district hospital in Zhob and moved to their hometowns in Punjab on Friday morning.

    The victims were identified as Muhammad Irfan (Dera Ghazi Khan), Sabir Ali (Gujranwala), Muhammad Asif (Muzaffargarh), Ghulam Saeed (Lodhran), Muhammad Junaid Ahmad (Gojra), Muhammad Bilal (Attock), Bilawal (Gujrat), and two brothers Usman and Jabir Toor (Lodhran).

    The funeral prayers of Muhammad Asif, who had married just three months ago, were offered in his hometown and attended by thousands of people.

    The bodies of the two brothers, Usman and Jabir Toor, from Dunyapur in Lodhran district, were brought from Quetta in ambulances. Dawn learnt that they had been travelling from Quetta to Multan to attend their father’s funeral when they were killed. A large number of people, including their family members and political figures, attended their funeral.

    The victim Ghulam Saeed — a sepoy from Village 72/15-L, Chamb Kalan, Lodhran — was on his way to visit his ailing father when he was murdered by the attackers. Tragically, his ailing father couldn’t bear the news and died of shock when his son’s body was brought home.

    The victim Junaid Ahmad was the son of journalist Iftikhar Ahmad Ansari.

    On Thursday, the armed assailants intercepted the buses, AK Movers and Super Mekhtar, around 5:30pm. The atta­ckers then conducted identity checks on passengers and abducted 12 individuals. Three were later released, while the remaining nine were brutally murdered.

    The banned Balochistan Liberation Front later claimed responsibility for the attack. The group’s spokesperson said it had killed the nine people after blo­cking the highway between Musa­khail-Makhtar and Khajuri, Dawn.com reported.

    The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of Balochistan Police has registered an FIR against unknown individuals for the abduction and killing of nine passengers in Zhob. CTD officials confirmed on Friday night that the FIR was registered following a complaint filed by the SHO of the Levies Thana in Zhob.

    CM reviews security

    Meanwhile, a high-level meeting on law and order, presided over by Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, reviewed the province’s overall security situation with particular focus on the Sur-Dakai attack.

    Inspector General of Police Balochistan, Moazzam Jah Ansari, and other senior security officials briefed the meeting on the motives behind the attack, the progress made in the investigation, and the actions taken by law enforcement agencies in response to the incident.

    CM Bugti termed the attack a serious attempt to challenge the writ of the state and issued strict instructions to ensure thatthe perpetrators are brought to justice.

    “Those who spill the blood of innocent civilians in Balochistan deserve no leniency,” he said, adding that the terrorists will be pursued relentlessly and decisive action will be taken against them. The chief minister emphasised the need for seamless coordination between police and Levies forces, instructing that jurisdictional boundaries must not hinder operations.

    “A united and effective response is imperative to ensure such elements never reemerge,” he said. “There will be no compromise on the enforcement of law in Balochistan,” Mr Bugti said. “The enemies of peace will be dealt with with full force.”

    At the start of the meeting, Fateha was offered for the victims of the Sur-Dakai incident. Chief Minister Bugti paid tribute to the victims and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to maintaining peace and order across the province.

    PM condemns killings

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday strongly condemned the kidnapping and killing of bus passengers, vowing to avenge the blood ofinnocent people, APP reported.

    “We will deal with terrorists with full force. The blood of innocent people will be avenged,” the prime minister said in a statement issued by his office. He said that the killing of unarmed civilians was a blatant act of terrorism by Fitnatul Hindustan. “With resolve, unity and strength, we will confront the scourge of terrorism and uproot it completely,” he resolved.

    Tariq Saeed in Toba Tek Singh, Tariq Saeed Birmani in Dera Ghazi Khan and Majeed Gill in Bahawalpur also contributed to this report

    Published in Dawn, July 12th, 2025

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  • Foreigners withdraw over $1.5bn from T-bills in FY25 – Business

    Foreigners withdraw over $1.5bn from T-bills in FY25 – Business

    KARACHI: Foreign investment outflows from treasury bills (T-bills) exceeded $1.5 billion in FY25, with June recording the highest monthly outflow, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Friday.

    The data show that outflows from domestic bonds were 24pc higher than inflows during the fiscal year. Total foreign inflows in T-bills stood at $1.279bn — an improvement from the previous year — yet heightened geopolitical tensions between Pakistan and India increased risk perception among investors.

    June witnessed a sharp pullback, with foreign investors purchasing just $24 million in T-bills while withdrawing $113m. Market analysts attributed the cautious investor behaviour to the four-day Indian aggression in May, followed by continued hostile rhetoric from Indian media and political leaders, which fuelled fears of further escalation.

    Despite record remittance inflows of $38.3bn during FY25, analysts warn that low export growth, weak foreign direct investment (FDI), and increasing foreign capital flight from local bonds could raise concerns for policymakers.

    Adding to the investor unease is the reduced return on government papers. The SBP slashed its policy rate to 11pc — down from 22pc in June 2024 — eroding the high yields that had previously attracted foreign investment into T-bills. Bankers believe further rate cuts remain possible, given the declining inflation trend, making a rebound in T-bill yields unlikely in the near term.

    SBP’s rate cut and India-Pakistan tensions dampen investor sentiment

    Country-wise data show that the highest outflow of foreign investment in FY25 was recorded from the United Kingdom, with withdrawals totalling $924 million against an inflow of $750m. The United Arab Emirates saw the second-largest outflow, amounting to $256m, compared to an inflow of $277m.

    In the case of the United States, the outflows significantly exceeded inflows. While the inflow from the US stood at just $26m during the year, the outflow reached $186m.

    Equity market sees net outflow

    The equity market, known for its sensitivity to political and regional developments, also witnessed substantial foreign capital flight. In FY25, foreign inflows into equities stood at $460m, while outflows reached $815m — almost double. The market was visibly affected by the Indian aggression in May, which further dampened investor confidence.

    Published in Dawn, July 12th, 2025

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  • Indian leadership yet to digest defeat, says Dar – Newspaper

    Indian leadership yet to digest defeat, says Dar – Newspaper

    • Warns against misuse of counterterrorism narratives to stigmatise Muslim communities
    • Sees peaceful Afghanistan in Pakistan’s interest
    • Meets Malaysian, Canadian, Australian, Cambodian and Vietnamese leaders

    ISLAMABAD/KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Friday the defeat inflicted by Pakistan has been difficult for the Indian political leadership to digest, Dawn.com reported.

    Deputy PM Dar is leading the Pakistan delegation at the 32nd ministerial meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Regional Forum (ARF), being held in Malaysia.

    Addressing the Pakis­tani community in Kuala Lumpur, Mr Dar said that on the military side of matters, there was no issue between Pakistan and India as the armed forces had gone back to the mutually decided positions.

    However, he said that the defeat inflicted by Pakistan has been difficult for the Indian political leadership to digest.

    The deputy premier said Pakistan gave a befitting and measured response to Indian aggression. He stated that India sought to establish hegemony in the region, but Pakistan shattered its attempt through a measured response.

    “Pakistan believes in peace and in building relationships based on equality, dignity and mutual respect,” he added.

    Temporary ceasefire

    Mr Dar said sometimes New Delhi said this was “a temporary ceasefire”.

    “Pakistan neither asked for a ceasefire, nor would it. Neither did we initiate [hostilities] nor did we aggravate matters, and then, when they asked for a ceasefire, we agreed to it after settling the score.

    “Otherwise, we woul­dn’t have received a call requ­esting for a ceasefire at 8:15am, just half an hour after our operation ended at 7:45am, where they (India) said we are ready for a ceasefire,” he said.

    Referring to the April 22 Pahalgam incident, he said, India blamed Paki­stan without evidence and refused our offer of an impartial inquiry. Instead, it launched an unprovoked attack on May 7.

    He detailed Pakistan’s response under Article 51 of the UN Charter, which targeted only military assets and demonstrated restraint and responsibility. He denounced the so-called new normal of unilateral military actions and impunity, asserting that peace must be rooted in mutual respect and international law.

    Mr Dar also condemned India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it a violation of international norms with grave humanitarian consequences.

    Criticising India’s unilateral actions and aggression in the region, the deputy premier underscored the need for a just resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

    Referring to the country’s comprehensive counterterrorism approach and its efforts to expose cross-border terrorism, Mr Dar warned against the misuse of counterterrorism narratives to stigmatise Muslim communities and promote Islamophobia.

    Non-traditional threats

    On the other hand, he said, there was a need for global cooperation to ensure peace, justice and climate action in the face of mounting regional and international challenges.

    He said ARF was a critical platform at a time when global fragmentation threa­tened multilateralism.

    However, he urged focus on non-traditional threats, including climate change, pandemics, cyber risks, maritime security, and disaster response.

    Reaffirming Pakistan’s backing of the One-China Policy, Mr Dar urged peaceful resolution of disputes in the Asia-Pacific, including the South China Sea, through diplomacy and mutual respect.

    Mentioning the recent high-level engagements with Afghan leaders, Mr Dar urged the interim government to ensure its soil is not used against its neighbours. “A peaceful, stable, and united Afghanistan is in our vital interest,” he added.

    He also condemned the Israeli aggression in Palestinian territories, calling for international action to halt atrocities and reaffirming Pakistan’s support for an independent Palestinian state with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

    Talks with Malaysian PM

    On the sidelines of the 32nd ARF ministerial meeting, Mr Dar met Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the foreign ministers of various other countries, including Canada, Australia, Russia, according to the FO.

    In his meeting with Malaysian PM Ibrahim, Mr Dar conveyed good wis­hes of Prime Min­ister Shehbaz Sharif and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to deepening bilateral ties with Malaysia.

    He also appreciated Malaysia’s leadership as Asean Chair for the year 2025. He also appreciated the practical steps taken by the Malaysian side for the promotion of trade and investment between the two countries, following Mr Ibrahim’s visit to Pakistan in October 2024.

    Meetings with foreign ministers

    At the weekly press briefing in Islamabad, the FO spokesperson said Mr Dar also met Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, Australian Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy.

    Besides, Mr Dar met Foreign Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic Thongsavanh Phomvihane, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, EU High Representative and Vice President Kaja Kallas, and the Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis.

    Also, on the sidelines of the 32nd ARF, the deputy premier and his Cambodian counterpart Prak Sokhonn in a meeting agreed to intensify bilateral engagement, particularly in trade and investment, to hold dialogue at all levels and promote cultural and people-to-people contacts.

    The deputy premier also invited Cambodian PM to visit Pakistan. It was decided that dates for his visit would be worked out through diplomatic channels.

    In his interaction with his Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son, Mr Dar highlighted the untapped potential of bilateral trade and expressed Pakistan’s keen interest in building stronger commercial ties with Vietnam, one of Asia’s emerging economies. The two sides agreed to explore avenues for collaboration in sectors such as textiles, agriculture, technology, and tourism.

    Mr Dar also accepted an invitation to visit Vietnam at a mutually convenient time, underscoring the momentum for increased high-level engagement between Islamabad and Hanoi.

    With additional input from APP

    Published in Dawn, July 12th, 2025

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  • The Man Of Steel’ Xbox Exclusive

    The Man Of Steel’ Xbox Exclusive

    Did you know the original Xbox had an exclusive Superman game? If you had asked me that question a few days ago, I’d have told you no, surely that’s something I’d have heard of before. Based on the people I’ve talked to since discovering this game, there’s a decent chance you never knew about it either.

    Superman: The Man of Steel was published by Atari’s Infogrames label in 2002 and developed by Circus Freak, a development team founded within Infogrames. As far as I could find, this Superman game and a Looney Tunes Racing game are their only credits.

    Superman: The Man of Steel on Xbox

    Over the last week I’ve been spotlighting various Superman games over on my TikTok and YouTube channel ranging from Superman and Justice League Task Force on the Sega Genesis, Justice League Heroes and Superman Returns on PlayStation 2, and of course Superman 64 on Nintendo 64. Most of them range from not great to terrible.

    I knew I was leaving out a few games I didn’t have copies of, like the Atari, NES, and Game Boy titles, but then fate intervened for another I was missing.

    Play Puzzles & Games on Forbes

    I was browsing my local game store just a couple of days ago, which was running a 50% discount promotion on loose game discs, and that’s when I spotted it. A Superman game for the original Xbox I’d never heard of. I did a little research on my phone and realized it was an Xbox console exclusive and, after the discount, it would only set me back $5 for the loose disc.

    That’s a risk I’m willing to take on a video game every single time.

    After I got home I popped it in my Xbox and, sure enough, it worked just fine. The opening cinematic showed Lois Lane and Clark Kent walking down the street in a futuristic version of Metropolis with flying cars overhead. She remarks that her husband is a hero, meaning the pair are already married and she knows all about his real identity.

    From what I could glean online, it looks like this game is based directly on the comic book source material of the era (specifically the Superman Y2k storyline), rather than pulling from the movies or animated series like most of the other Superman games I’ve played. Admittedly, I haven’t read many Superman comics, so I could be wrong, but at first glance that’s immediately more interesting to me.

    I appreciate that this isn’t a convoluted origin story as Superman is already clearly established in this universe and as soon as the introductory cinematic ends, the city is under attack and you take off to defend it. Brainiac’s robots are wreaking havoc so you’ve got to fly around the city, cycle through your powers like heat vision and cold breath, and take them out.

    Granted, I haven’t played through the entire game yet, but what I’ve seen so far is actually surprisingly fun. I like the vibes, the city is overall quite detailed, everything controls well, flying feels great, and it seems like they’ve understood the gist of the character.

    One area that presents some frequent frustrations though is the time limit. A lot of missions are very strictly timed, which can ruin the flow and fun of the game. Not to mention many of the missions feature repetitive objectives, so I can definitely see it wearing out its welcome rather quickly.

    Rather than the game following a strictly linear mission structure, it could have really been improved it if instead had an open world hub similar to the Spider-Man 2 game or Grand Theft Auto games from the same generation, in which you could explore and do side objectives in-between story missions.

    This game reviewed terribly when it released. It’s certainly not an instant classic, but I’m still surprised it was forgotten so quickly and doesn’t ever get discussed very much. The GameRankings aggregate score has it at a 42.28% which is wild considering that it seems to be a competent, unique, and generally enjoyable game.

    Maybe I’m in the minority here, but I miss when we’d get licensed video games like this more often. I used to love playing the games based on the movies, TV shows, and characters I loved as a kid and it’s a shame my kids won’t have that luxury. I prefer when developers had the flexibility and funding to take risks, try new things, and innovate beyond the same handful of genre blends we mostly see today.

    Every time my son discovers a new show he really loves, he asks if there are any games based on that show and the answer is almost always a resounding no. Other than a handful of mobile apps, themed worlds in Roblox, or a LEGO game here and there, chances are there are very few properly released licensed games nowadays. Thankfully some publishers are still cranking them out when they can, like Outright Games, but it’s not the same as it once was.

    Ultimately, I hope to see another Superman game one day. The man of steel deserves it.


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  • Alcaraz in 3rd successive Wimbledon final

    Alcaraz in 3rd successive Wimbledon final


    LONDON:

    Two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz reached his third successive Wimbledon final on Friday, battling to a 6-4, 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (8/6) win against American fifth seed Taylor Fritz.

    With Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio watching from the stands, Alcaraz survived a titanic clash lasting two hours and 49 minutes in searing temperatures on Centre Court.

    As the mercury rose close to 32 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit), play was interrupted by several fans taken ill, but Alcaraz kept his cool to subdue the big-serving Fritz with his sublime returns and immaculate serving of his own.

    The 22-year-old will play seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic or world number one Jannik Sinner in Sunday’s final.

    Alcaraz has beaten Djokovic in the past two Wimbledon finals and holds an 8-4 edge over Sinner in their 12 meetings.

    “It was a really difficult match, as always when I play against Taylor. Even tougher with the conditions. It was really hot today,” Alcaraz said.

    “I dealt with the nerves. Playing here in a semi-final is not easy. I’m really proud with the way I stayed calm and thought clearly. I’m pleased about my level.”

    Back to his best after an inconsistent start to the tournament, the world number two looks in the mood to extend his reign at the All England Club. The five-time Grand Slam champion is on a career-best 24-match winning streak since losing to Holger Rune in the Barcelona final in April.

    That blistering run has brought him an epic French Open final triumph against Sinner and titles in Rome, Monte Carlo and at Queen’s Club. He has won 35 of his 38 matches on grass, a golden spell including 20 successive victories at Wimbledon since losing to Sinner in the fourth round in 2022.

    “I’m not thinking about the winning streak or the results at all,” he said. “This is my dream, stepping on these beautiful courts and playing tennis in the most beautiful tournament in the world.

    “I just want to enjoy this moment, that I’ve got to a third final in a row. I will have time to think about Sunday.”

    Alcaraz is one win away from becoming the fifth man in the Open era to clinch three consecutive Wimbledon titles after Bjorn Borg, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer and Djokovic.

    He can also become the second-youngest player in the Open era to win six men’s Grand Slam titles after Borg reached that mark at Wimbledon in 1978 aged 22.

    Fritz fell short in his bid to reach a second Grand Slam final.

    The 27-year-old, a US Open runner-up last year, made a gutsy effort, but Alcaraz had won both their previous meetings and he wasted no time seizing control again.

    Although grass-court specialist Fritz had slammed 95 aces on route to his first Wimbledon semi-final, Alcaraz’s returning prowess neutralised that weapon to secure a break in the first game of the match.

    Alcaraz needed his eye checked midway through the set, but there was no loss of focus from the Spaniard as he held serve to take the opener.

    Having dropped just four of 24 points on his serve in the first set, the Spaniard found himself under fire in the second.

    Fritz pounced on a rare sloppy game from Alcaraz to take the set when the Spaniard produced an ill-timed double-fault and two costly unforced errors.

    The nerveless Alcaraz was unfazed by that threat and quickly regained the momentum, running Fritz ragged with a deft drop-shot followed by a perfect lob to break in the third game of the third set.

    With Alcaraz’s serve virtually flawless, he added another break for good measure to secure a two sets to one lead. In a dramatic fourth set tie-break, Fritz went from 4-1 down to 6-4 up, only for Alcaraz to save both set points.

    Alcaraz scented victory and one last flurry of piercing ground-strokes secured his latest final berth.

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  • 50% hike in gas price: Households fumes

    50% hike in gas price: Households fumes

    PAKISTAN’S battered economy has delivered yet another blow to ordinary households, this time in the form of a staggering 50% increase in fixed gas charges, deepening the sense of despair among millions already struggling to make ends meet.

    For families across the country, the monthly gas bill, once a manageable expense, is fast becoming a luxury a few can afford. The move, introduced quietly by the government without changing the per-unit gas tariff, has nonetheless triggered widespread anger and confusion. The sharp increase in fixed charges, levied on households regardless of consumption, disproportionately affects the lower and middle-income segments. For many, the latest hike represents not just an economic burden but also a symbol of how detached policymakers have become from the daily struggles of ordinary citizens.

    Years of fiscal mismanagement, political instability and external debt dependency have pushed the country to the brink. With foreign exchange reserves precariously low and repeated IMF bailouts dictating austerity measures, the space for government subsidies and social protections has virtually disappeared. The gas sector, long plagued by inefficiencies, theft and underinvestment, has become a prime target for revenue generation — but at a devastating human cost. Rather than reforming structural inefficiencies or curbing elite exemptions, the State has chosen to shift the burden onto the masses. The 50% jump in fixed gas charges comes at a time when the purchasing power of ordinary Pakistanis has been eroded to historic lows. Household energy costs, which form a significant portion of monthly expenses, have become a flashpoint for frustration.

    Unlike fuel price hikes, which often dominate headlines and spark protests, the increase in fixed gas charges has been implemented with minimal public debate. Fixed charges are especially punishing for low-consumption households, many of whom use gas sparingly for cooking or heating water. Even families that have cut back on usage to cope with rising costs find themselves paying disproportionately high bills. The government’s justification points to the widening revenue shortfall in the gas sector, driven by high import costs and mounting circular debt. Yet, critics argue that ordinary citizens are being forced to shoulder a burden created by years of mismanagement, corruption and an energy policy tilted in favour of vested interests. The sense of injustice is palpable, particularly in urban centres where families already face the compounded pressures of rent hikes, food inflation and stagnant wages. In rural areas, the focus shifts to the indirect impact — rising prices for gas-dependent goods and services that further squeeze household budgets.

    The timing of the gas charge increase could not be worse. The agricultural sector, a backbone for millions of livelihoods, has suffered from erratic weather patterns, floods and rising input costs. Manufacturing and industrial output have slowed, exacerbating unemployment and wage stagnation. Meanwhile, the IMF’s stringent loan conditions aimed at stabilizing macroeconomic indicators have left little room for domestic relief measures. With the government prioritizing fiscal discipline to secure much-needed external financing, ordinary Pakistanis are being asked to absorb the fallout through higher taxes and utility costs. The psychological toll is visible across communities. Conversations in markets, public transport and homes increasingly revolve around survival, not ambition. Parents skip meals to ensure their children eat; families defer medical treatment; young people, disillusioned by shrinking opportunities, eye emigration as the only escape.

    As the cost of living crisis intensifies, so does public dissatisfaction. Trade unions, opposition parties and civil society groups have condemned the gas charge hike as emblematic of a governance model that prioritizes elite comfort over citizen welfare. For many, the gas bill has become a symbol of broader systemic failure. The perception is growing that the state, unable or unwilling to address the root causes of economic decline, is resorting to extractive measures that punish the vulnerable while shielding the powerful. The social contract, already strained by years of economic hardship, political instability and eroding public services, risks further unravelling. Trust in institutions tasked with economic management continues to deteriorate as households bear the brunt of decisions they feel powerless to influence.

    Few believe economic troubles will ease soon. The country remains mired in debt, reliant on external financing and vulnerable to global commodity price fluctuations. Climate-related disasters add to the fiscal burden, while investors remain wary of political volatility. In this bleak environment, measures like the gas fixed charge increase are likely to become more frequent and painful. Ordinary citizens are trapped between rising costs and stagnant incomes. The human cost of economic mismanagement plays out in cold homes, skipped meals and anxious, sleepless nights.

    The 50% hike in gas fixed charges is more than just an accounting adjustment, it is a stark reflection of the disconnect between economic policymaking and the lived realities of its people. As households struggle to keep the lights on and cook meals, the weight of the country’s financial collapse presses down harder. For now, the government’s policies appear focused on balancing spreadsheets and appeasing international lenders. But for the millions bearing the daily brunt of those decisions, hope is a scarce commodity and economic pain an unrelenting reality. In Pakistan’s deepening economic storm, it is the ordinary household that continues to pay the heaviest price.

    — The writer is an educator, based in Sindh.

    ([email protected])

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  • Don’t Let These Last-Minute Prime Day Sales on Excellent SSD Storage Slip Away

    Don’t Let These Last-Minute Prime Day Sales on Excellent SSD Storage Slip Away

    Amazon Prime Day is hours from being over, but you can still take advantage of deals, and there’s one collection that looks particularly cart-pleasing. SanDisk is offering a bunch of its flash storage options with discounts anywhere from 15% to 40%. You can see the full list here, but my favorite is the SanDisk Extreme Pro 2TB for $170, an upgraded model to the Extreme SSD we picked as the best external hard drive. It’s down 38% today from its usual $273 list price.

    These SanDisk Extreme models have tough weather resistance ratings so photographers, GoPro fans and many others can take them along on adventures. When reviewing the similar Extreme model, CNET’s David Carnoy said, “Sarah Tew, CNET’s photographer here in New York, shoots tons of products for me. But rarely have I seen her as excited about a product as SanDisk’s new Extreme Portable SSD.”

    Carnoy praised the Extreme’s IP55 rating (which this Pro model upgrades to IP65) and extra-speedy transfer speeds which he tested with his own work videos.

    If you’re looking for something smaller and keychain-friendly for the office or study room, the Extreme Pro USB model is nearly 40% off as well, down to $90 with a chapstick design that fits easily in any pocket.

    Or if you were thinking more about internal storage, I’ve got a deal for that too: This massively powerful 8TB SanDisk WD_Black SSD is 40% off, saving you a whopping $340 on your next big PC upgrade, ideal for media centers or professionals who work with a lot of content.

    There are plenty other SanDisk deal too, from microSD cards to laptop plugins, all in one spot for this Prime Day Sale.

    SanDisk black internal SSD held up against a blackground.

    SanDisk sales extend to internal upgrades, too.

    SanDisk

    Top deals available today, according to CNET’s shopping experts

    Curated discounts worth shopping while they last.

    Why these SanDisk deals are great

    SSD storage can be expensive, especially for the bigger upgrades, and it’s rare to find so many discounts in one spot. There’s a deal for every kind of user with SanDisk’s well-known brand quality backing each of them up.

    Grab these deals while they are still there as the end of Amazon Prime Day counts down. 


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  • Pak set to bar hockey team from India events

    Pak set to bar hockey team from India events


    LAHORE:

    The Pakistan government is likely to reject a request from the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) to allow the national team to compete in two major hockey events in India, citing escalating political tensions between the two countries.

    Pakistan is scheduled to participate in the Asia Cup, set to be held in Rajgir, India, from 27 August to 7 September. The PHF has formally sought clearance from the government to send the squad. Later this year, Pakistan is also due to compete in the FIH (International Hockey Federation) Junior World Cup, scheduled for November in Chennai. However, sources said the Shahbaz Sharif-led coalition government is unlikely to grant permission.

    A senior official told Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net), “There is no chance the Sharif-led government will allow the national hockey team to travel in this geo-political situation.”

    According to sources, members of the coalition government believe it would be unsafe to send the team after the recent military flare-up between the neighbours Sources indicated that if the government declines permission, the PHF plans to formally request the FIH and Asian Hockey Federation to relocate both events to a neutral venue such as Malaysia or Oman.

    The official said: “PHF will try to get the events out of India, but there are very slim chances of that happening because Malaysia and Oman do not have the funds to bid for the tournaments, which require close to 100,000 dollars.

    Pakistan last toured India in 2023 for the Asian Champions Trophy, finishing fifth among six teams, with India winning the title. No security incidents were reported during that tournament.

    Reports from India have suggested that their sports ministry was prepared to grant Pakistan permission to participate, and Hockey India confirmed it already had approvals from the Ministry of External Affairs and the Home Ministry.

    But ever since these reports surfaced, sections of the Indian media have launched scathing criticism of the clearance, fueling serious apprehension within Pakistan’s sporting circles.

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  • Daily Research News Online no. 38518

    Daily Research News Online no. 38518

    Outra Launches Free Property Market Intelligence Tool

    July 11 2025

    London-based property and household intelligence company Outra has launched a new dashboard service providing estate agents with access to hyper-local market insights, free of charge.

    <! pod><! pod>The customised dashboard offers granular property and market data of a kind the firm says is ‘typically only available via expensive subscriptions.’ Each agent receives a dashboard matched to their local area, which it can then refine for a more precise match. Hyper-local data includes granular trends on pricing, transactions, and demand specific to individual neighbourhoods, and the information is update din real time and can be scaled up to wider town, regional or national levels.

    Simon Dawson (pictured), Outra‘s CRO – Real Estate, says the company has a simple goal, ‘to make high-level data available to every estate agent in the country.’ He comments: ‘This dashboard provides agents with tailored insights that help them spot trends faster, allowing them to stay one step ahead of the competition and win more business. By giving agents this kind of firepower, we not only help them do better business but also deliver more value to their clients.’

    The new service can be found online at www.outra.co.uk/market-insight .

    All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.

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  • Pak reach U-18 Asia Cup hockey final

    Pak reach U-18 Asia Cup hockey final

    Pakistan have advanced to the final of the Men’s U18 Asia Cup 2025 following a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Malaysia in the semifinal at the National Hockey Training Centre in Dazhou, China, on Friday.

    The tightly contested match concluded in a shootout after both teams remained deadlocked during regular play. In a tense finish, the Green Shirts held their nerve to secure a 4-3 win in the penalty shootout.

    Pakistan capitalised on the pressure, with Malaysia missing two crucial attempts during the decisive shootout, while the Green Shirts only failed to score once.

    The victory caps a remarkable run for the young Pakistani squad, which has shown exceptional form throughout the tournament. They began their campaign with a resounding 8-0 win over Hong Kong, followed by a crushing 9-0 victory against Sri Lanka.

    In their third match, they defeated Bangladesh 6-3, virtually securing a place in the semifinals.

    In the quarterfinals, Pakistan outclassed China 2-1 in a commanding performance to seal a place among the final four.

    It is pertinent to mention that the Green Shirts will face Japan in the grand finale of the tournament on Sunday at the same venue.

    Pak beat China in quarter-final

    Earlier, continuing their unbeaten run in the U-18 Asia Cup 2025, Pakistan secured a commanding 2-1 victory over China to qualify for the semi-finals.

    The Green Shirts got off to a flying start to the high-stakes clash as Hassan Shahbaz netted the opener in just the 11th minute through a field goal.

    The scoreline remained intact at 1-0 until halftime despite four penalties shared between the two teams in an eventful second quarter.

    The goal drought eventually culminated late in the third quarter when Ali Hanzala doubled Pakistan’s lead through another well-executed field goal.

    China, however, were quick to pull one back as Jiaxing Lin converted a penalty corner in the same minute.

    The hosts then made several efforts to net the equaliser but Pakistan goalkeeper Ghulam Mustafa denied them any chance of forcing their way back into the game, ensuring the scoreline remained intact at 2-1.

    The victory extended Pakistan’s unbeaten run to four matches as they topped Group A standings with 12 points and a goal difference of 21, scoring 25, while conceding only four.

    The Green Shirts will face Malaysia in the semi-final, scheduled to be played at the same venue on Friday.

    Pakistan started their Men’s U18 Asia Cup 2025 campaign with a ruthless 8-0 victory over Hong Kong before routing Sri Lanka 9-0.

    They then faced Bangladesh in their third match and prevailed 6-3, which had put them within touching distance of semi-final qualification.

    Squad:

    Mohammad Usman, Atif Ali, Asam Junaid, Mohammad Abdullah Farooq, Abdullah Awan, Zubair Lateef, Mohammad Yaseen, Mohammad Ali Taj, Ghulam Mustafa, Ali Hamza, Ali Hamzad, Aamir Sohail, Adeel Afzal, Mohammad Zaman, Mohammad Hussain, Mohammad Shaheer, Hasan Shahbaz, Yaseen Jamshaid

    Team Management:

    Shafqat Malik (Manager), Mukhtar Ahmed, Touseeq Ahmed, Masood-ur-Rahman (Coaches).

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