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  • A simple options strategy that defines investor risk as the S&P 500 reaches new heights

    A simple options strategy that defines investor risk as the S&P 500 reaches new heights

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  • Punjab and federal ministers pledge stronger collaboration to protect minority rights – Ptv.com.pk

    1. Punjab and federal ministers pledge stronger collaboration to protect minority rights  Ptv.com.pk
    2. Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, Federal Minister for Human Rights, welcomed Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, Punjab Minister for Minorities Affairs, to discuss enhanced cooperation on minority rights and inclusive development.  Associated Press of Pakistan
    3. Federal and Punjab ministers meet to enhance minority rights cooperation  nation.com.pk

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  • Earliest moments of planet formation seen for the first time

    Earliest moments of planet formation seen for the first time

    News

    By James Ashworth

    A gap in a distant cloud has allowed astronomers to peek inside a developing solar system.

    Among the hot clouds of gas are signs of the first solids appearing during the first stage of planets coming into being.

    Astronomers have captured a snapshot of the dawn of a new solar system.

    Almost 1,400 light years away from Earth, HOPS-315 is a star at the very beginning of its life. Clouds of surrounding gas are collapsing into the star, powering the fusion reactions which will burn brightly for billions of years.

    While this gas shroud normally stops anyone from peering at the growing solar system inside, there’s a gap in the cloud facing in Earth’s direction. By bringing together a telescope network called the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), astronomers were able to get front row seats for the formation of HOPS-315’s first planets.

    The findings of their research, led by Professor Melissa McClure, have now been published in the journal Nature. She says that while developing planets have been seen before, they’ve never been found at such an early stage.

    “We’ve always known that the first solid parts of planets, or ‘planetesimals’, must form further back in time at earlier stages of the protoplanetary disc,” Melissa explains. “Now, for the first time, we’ve identified the earliest moment when planet formation is initiated around a star other than our Sun.”

    Co-author Professor Merel van ‘t Hoff describes the images taken by the telescopes as “a picture of the baby solar system”.

    “We’re seeing a system that looks like our solar system did when it was just beginning to form,” adds Merel. “This system is one of the best that we know to actually probe some of the processes that happened in our solar system.”

    Studying the start of the solar system

    When it comes to our own solar system, most of the knowledge about its early years comes from studying meteorites known as chondrites. These space rocks are made of the same material that went into the first planets, but have remained relatively unmodified since. This provides scientists with a time capsule of the early solar system.

    One of the most important materials these meteorites contain is known as calcium-aluminium-rich inclusions (CAIs).

    The dating of CAIs has revealed that they’re over 4.5 billion years old. This makes them the oldest known solids in the solar system. Scientists think they formed from the clouds of gas that surrounded the early Sun, known as a protoplanetary disc.

    As well as dating the solar system, these materials also reveal the conditions in which the planets formed.

    CAIs only form in temperatures of at least 1,300 Kelvin, or just over 1,000°C. This extreme heat explains why planets closer to the Sun, like Earth and Mars, are full of rocks and metals, while those further out are made of lighter materials that quickly evaporated.

    As more solids began to form, they started to clump together under their own gravity until they became planetesimals. As these bodies got bigger, their gravity became stronger, attracting more material and eventually leading to the formation of the planets we know today. The bits of rock and matter left over became asteroids.

    But exactly how the planets formed has remained a mystery. To answer this, astronomers are looking to distant solar systems that are developing in a similar way to our own.

    Finding the first solids

    Searching for signs of CAIs forming is difficult, as it’s expected to only last for around 160,000 years – a blink of an eye in the life of a star.

    To raise the chances of finding a star that’s starting to form its own system, researchers have been looking towards stellar nurseries. These giant clouds of gas are so dense that parts of them are collapsing in on themselves and producing vast numbers of stars.

    Some of the closest nurseries to Earth are found in a region of our galaxy known as the Radcliffe Wave. This 9,000 light year long belt of gases contains many familiar stars and constellations, such as Orion and Taurus.

    It’s within the molecular cloud of Orion B that scientists have spotted HOPS-315. This star is at an incredibly early stage of development, having formed probably within the last 150,000 to 200,000 years.

    The star is so young that it’s still surrounded by a cloud of gases known as a protostellar envelope. Most of these gases will end up as part of HOPS-315, but a fraction will end up making the star’s protoplanetary disc which will then go on to form new planets.

    By peering through a gap in the envelope, ALMA and the JWST were able to investigate the conditions in the developing disc. They detected the chemical signatures of gases like silicon monoxide as well as crystalline silicate minerals.

    These materials only exist at high temperatures, conditions that are hot enough to also allow CAIs to form. This makes it likely that the first solids are already condensing around HOPS-315, and that the star’s first planetesimals have either already started forming or will shortly.

    While there are still many questions about the early development of solar systems, this research shows that stars like HOPS-315 can provide the evidence astronomers are looking for.

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  • Streamlining Sleep, Exercise and Everything in Between – Samsung Newsroom South Africa

    Streamlining Sleep, Exercise and Everything in Between – Samsung Newsroom South Africa

    On July 9, Samsung Electronics unveiled the Galaxy Watch8 series — Galaxy Watch8 and Galaxy Watch8 Classic — at Galaxy Unpacked 2025 in Brooklyn. As personal wellness becomes increasingly important, Galaxy Watch8 introduces smarter health features and the thinnest design that support everyday well-being.

     

    Evolving into a personal health coach, the Galaxy Watch8 series helps users build tailored routines with tools for sleep guidance, running coaching, antioxidant and vascular load tracking. A soft-edged cushion design and built-in Gemini, Google’s AI assistant, offer both refined aesthetics and intuitive usability.

     

    Samsung Newsroom got an exclusive early look at the Galaxy Watch8 series during Galaxy Unpacked 2025.

     

    The Galaxy Watch8 series with the Galaxy Watch Ultra in Titanium Blue

     

    (From left) The Galaxy Watch8, Galaxy Watch8 Classic and Galaxy Watch Ultra in Titanium Blue

     

    Bedtime Guidance: Say Goodbye to the Monday Blues

    The Monday blues often stem not just from fatigue but from a disrupted weekend sleep cycle. To help recalibrate daily routines, Bedtime Guidance analyses sleep patterns over the past three days and recommends an ideal time to wind down.

     

    Bedtime Guidance provides personalised recommendations based on the user’s sleep data from the past three days.

     

    Vascular Load: Monitor Cardiovascular Health During Sleep

    Vascular Load tracks stress on the vascular system while the user sleeps.

    The feature incorporates related data — such as sleep duration, physical activity and stress levels — to offer a more holistic view of overall wellness.

     

    Vascular Load monitors for stress on the user’s vascular system during sleep.

     

    Running Coach: Improve Performance With Real-Time Feedback

    To help prevent injury while running, proper pacing and real-time, personalised feedback are essential. After a 12-minute run with the Galaxy Watch8 series, Running Coach analyses performance data, categorises running ability on a 10-level scale and generates a customised three- to five-week training program.

     

    During runs, the feature provides personalised feedback guidance. Afterward, detailed workout summaries and motivational messages are shared.

     

    Running Coach creates personalised training programs based on the user’s running data.

     

    Antioxidant Index: Track Carotenoid Levels in Seconds

    Healthy aging starts from within. The Galaxy Watch8 series introduces the Antioxidant Index — a first-of-its kind smartwatch feature that measures carotenoid levels in the body.

     

    By placing a thumb on the BioActive Sensor on the back of the watch for five seconds, users receive both a numerical score and a colour-coded result representing their antioxidant status. The feature makes it easy to monitor aging-related health, offering intuitive insights into dietary and lifestyle habits. For example, a sky blue reading indicates a sufficient intake of carotenoid-rich foods like leafy greens and carrots.

     

    A user is measuring their Antioxidant Index

     

    Multimodal AI and One UI 8 Watch: Access Smarter Features

    The Galaxy Watch8 series is the world’s first smartwatch to come equipped with Google’s Gemini. Even when hands are full, voice control allows users to operate key functions — offering intuitive support during workouts and daily routines.

     

    For example, saying “start a 300-calorie circuit training workout” prompts Gemini to launch Samsung Health for seamless exercise tracking.

     

    Gemini enables hands-free control through voice commands.

     

    Debuting with this release, One UI 8 Watch introduces a redesigned tiles optimised for smaller displays — making essential information easier to view at a glance.

     

    One UI 8 Watch features a redesigned tiles optimised for smaller displays.

    Ultra-Slim Cushion Design: Experience All-Day Comfort

    The Galaxy Watch8 series brings innovation to hardware as well. The Galaxy Watch8 features the thinnest design in the series to date, with an ultra-slim 8.6-millimetre profile.

     

    The Galaxy Watch8 has a sleek 8.6-millimetre profile.

     

    The lightweight build reduces strain on the wrist, while a cushion design — first introduced on the Galaxy Watch Ultra — gives the Galaxy Watch8 series a refined, modern look.

     

    The Galaxy Watch8 series includes two models — Galaxy Watch8, with a minimalist design optimised for daily health tracking, and Galaxy Watch8 Classic, combining a rotating bezel and quick button with the appeal of an analog watch. In addition, the Galaxy Watch Ultra will be available in a new Titanium Blue color.

     

    From morning to night, the Galaxy Watch8 series supports full-spectrum health management — spanning exercise to diet and beyond. Powered by AI, the Galaxy Watch8 series marks the beginning of a more personalised wellness journey.

     

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  • Psst: It’s Actually Fine to Have a Little Work Crush

    Psst: It’s Actually Fine to Have a Little Work Crush

    Lisa confesses to occasionally flirting with Marion. “It’s nothing overly sexual, but there’s an unspoken energy between us. And I feel it—and I think he does too.” Charlotte posits that it’s probably a good thing, particularly because they’re working on a creative project together; it’s a connection. They write it off as “flirking”—see what they did there?—but later, after a moment of sexual frustration with her husband, Herbert, and then a strangely heated moment with Marion, Lisa is far too flustered to continue the charade.

    In the real world, however, workplace crushes aren’t quite so melodramatic. Not only are they generally—for the most part, anyway—not a threat to your relationship, but in the right circumstances, they can even be a little healthy. They’re also incredibly common. “We spend a significant portion of our lives at work, often in high-pressure situations that can accelerate bonding,” explains Naomi Magnus, a psychotherapist and founder at North London Therapy. “When you mix proximity, purpose, admiration, and even a bit of stress-induced adrenaline, it’s easy to understand why feelings arise.”

    “It gives me something to look forward to each day,” says Milly*, 27, who, despite being in a committed relationship, views her own workplace crush as vital. “We parked our Lime bikes next to each other the other day and I honestly left feeling like we were in love.” There’s a sense of camaraderie in it, too. “A lot of women in the office fancy this particular guy; we talk about how good he’s looking all the time on Slack. It’s almost like a bonding experience.”

    For Belle*, 28, who is also in a long-term relationship, the office crush motivates her to make an effort each morning. “I choose my outfits especially carefully on the days when I know he’s going to be in,” she says. This is despite the fact she has absolutely zero intention of flirting with him; they barely speak. “It doesn’t matter,” Belle adds. “Just knowing he’s around and walking past him is enough to give me a pep in my step.”

    In most cases, workplace crushes are fleeting and harmless and it’s important to view them as such. “We should understand them for what they are: a passing attraction, not a call to action,” says Magnus. Of course, they can slip into something a little more meaningful and subsequently problematic, depending on your relationship status and any hard-line policies in your HR department—or, indeed, if you end up being caught red-handed at a Coldplay concert.

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  • ‘I am extremely sad’: celebrities react to the end of Stephen Colbert’s Late Show | Stephen Colbert

    ‘I am extremely sad’: celebrities react to the end of Stephen Colbert’s Late Show | Stephen Colbert

    Celebrities have expressed disappointment and anger at the controversial decision to end the long-running Late Show, bringing an end to host Stephen Colbert’s award-winning tenure.

    The late-night comedy show has been on CBS for 33 years and the news arrived just days after Colbert called out the network’s parent company Paramount for settling a “frivolous” lawsuit with Donald Trump for $16m. Paramount is seeking approval for a $8.4bn merger with Skydance, a company ran by David Ellison, son of close Trump ally Larry Ellison.

    Colbert called it a “big fat bribe” earlier this week and later announced to his audience that the show would be ending next year. “Let me tell you, it is a fantastic job,” he said. “I wish someone else was getting it. And it is a job I am looking forward to doing with this usual gang of idiots for another 10 months.”

    The Late Show received an Emmy nomination earlier this week for talk series.

    “Sorry to hear @CBS is canceling one of the best shows they have,” actor and director Ben Stiller wrote on X. “Wishing all the people who work so hard on that show all the best.”

    His Severance colleague Adam Scott also shared his sentiment. “Love you Stephen,” he wrote. “This is absolute bullshit and I for one am looking forward to the next 10 months of shows.”

    Writer and director Judd Apatow also wrote in response to Colbert’s Instagram post: “My admiration and appreciation for you is bottomless. Excited to see what other brilliance you put into the world.”

    Broadcast journalist Katie Couric added: “I am so upset about this. I need more information.”

    West Side Story and Evita actor Rachel Zegler wrote: “i am extremely sad. i adore you, stephen.”

    Grammy-winning musician Jon Batiste, who used to lead Colbert’s band on the show, called him “the greatest to ever do it” on Instagram.

    Actor John Cusack shared a clip of Colbert on social media and wrote: “He’s not groveling enough to American fascism – Larry Ellison needs his tax cuts — doesn’t need comedians reminding people they are not cattle.”

    Senator Bernie Sanders also expressed similar ire. “CBS’s billionaire owners pay Trump $16 million to settle a bogus lawsuit while trying to sell the network to Skydance,” he wrote. “Stephen Colbert, an extraordinary talent and the most popular late night host, slams the deal. Days later, he’s fired. Do I think this is a coincidence? NO.”

    TV personality Andy Cohen, who hosts late-night show Watch What Happens Live, called it “a sad day” both for late-night television and for CBS. “I’m stunned,” he said to Deadline. “He’s one of three late-night shows deemed worthy enough for an Emmy nomination. He produces a brilliant show.”

    Colbert’s late-night rival Jimmy Kimmel also weighed in, sharing his frustration with the decision. In an Instagram story poking fun at the network’s much-ridiculed comedy shows, he wrote: “Love you, Stephen. Fuck you and all your Sheldons, CBS.”

    Trump has already taken to Truth Social for a victory lap, writing: “I absolutely love that Colbert got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings. I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next. Has even less talent than Colbert! Greg Gutfeld is better than all of them combined, including the Moron on NBC who ruined the once great Tonight Show.”


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  • Children with ADHD may be less likely to develop myopia, study suggests

    Children with ADHD may be less likely to develop myopia, study suggests

    (Image Credit: AdobeStock/ClareM)

    A new Chinese investigation found that attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with reduced myopia prevalence, more hyperopic spherical equivalent refraction (SER), and shorter axial length (AL) in schoolchildren, according to Xiu Nian Chen, PhD, from the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.

    Chen and colleagues explained that increased risks of astigmatism, strabismus, reduced near point of convergence, color discrimination, and contrast sensitivity have been reported in patients with ADHD.2-5 This is noteworthy considering that myopia is the most common ocular disease worldwide, with a heavy public health burden in many parts of the world.6

    While a few studies have found no difference in the prevalence of myopia between patients with ADHD and healthy controls,2,7,8 Chen and colleagues noted that the methodologies of those studies may not have been able to detect a difference.

    Another consideration is that the first-line treatment for ADHD, oral methylphenidate, inhibits the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine, thereby enhancing catecholaminergic activity in the brain regions involved in ADHD pathogenesis, which leads to symptom improvement.9-11 “Concurrently,” they stated, “the dopamine system plays a significant role in mediating myopic eye growth and is broadly associated with other myopic mechanisms.12,13 Thus, it is intriguing to explore whether oral methylphenidate affects myopia by influencing dopamine levels.”

    Moreover, while near-work and outdoor activity affect the myopia prevalence, children with ADHD may have different patterns of near-work and outdoor activity compared to their unaffected peers, indicating that the impact of ADHD symptoms on myopia remains unclear.

    Cross-sectional study

    The children in the study were 6 to 8 years old and underwent a cycloplegic autorefraction and AL measurements between 2016 and 2021. The ADHD diagnoses were established according to the ICD-10 criteria, and the ADHD symptoms were assessed using the Strengths and Weaknesses of ADHD-Symptoms and Normal-Behaviors Questionnaire.

    The study included 474 children with ADHD and 9,950 control children.

    The authors reported that the age- and sex-adjusted myopia prevalence was lower in the ADHD group (21%) compared with the controls (26%; P= 0.02). Multivariable regression analysis showed that the children with ADHD had less myopia (odds ratio [OR] = 0.75; P = 0.03), higher SER (β = 0.13; P = 0.04), and shorter AL (β = −0.07; P = 0.03).

    Specifically, the patients with ADHD who were treated with oral methylphenidate had less myopia (OR = 0.61, P = 0.04), higher SER (β = 0.36; P < 0.001), and shorter AL (β = −0.25; P < 0.001) compared to the controls.

    Chen and colleagues found that each additional month of treatment with oral methylphenidate was associated with a higher SER (β = 0.02; P = 0.01) and shorter AL (β = −0.01; P = 0.01).

    “For each 1-point increase in attention-deficit scores, the children were found to be less myopic (OR = 0.88, P = 0.01), having higher SER (β = 0.07; P = 0.003), and shorter AL (β = −0.04; P = 0.001),” they reported.

    They also found that the prevalence of myopia among children with ADHD increased to 32% during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with 23% before the COVID-19 pandemic (P = 0.04).

    The authors concluded, “This cross-sectional study found that ADHD is associated with reduced myopia prevalence, more hyperopic SER, and shorter AL.”

    However, they advised that because the effect sizes of these associations were small, the clinical relevance of the findings needs to be interpreted with caution.

    References
    1. Chen XN, Zhang XJ, Zhang Y, et al. Association of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder with myopia among school children. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2025;66:36. doi:https://doi.org/10.1167/iovs.66.9.36
    2. Grönlund MA, Aring E, Landgren M, Hellström A. Visual function and ocular features in children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, with and without treatment with stimulants. Eye (Lond). 2007;21:494–502.
    3. Ho JD, Sheu JJ, Kao YW, Shia BC, Lin HC. Associations between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and ocular abnormalities in children: a population-based study. Ophthalmic Epidemiol. 2020;27:194–9.
    4. Reimelt C, Wolff N, Hölling H, Mogwitz S, Ehrlich S, Roessner V. The underestimated role of refractive error (hyperopia, myopia, and astigmatism) and strabismus in children with ADHD. J Atten Disord. 2021;25:235–44.
    5. 7Bellato A, Perna J, Ganapathy PS, et al. Association between ADHD and vision problems. A systematic review and meta-analysis. Mol Psychiatry. 2023;28:410–22.
    6. Baird PN, Saw SM, Lanca C, et al. Myopia. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2020;6:99.
    7. Ababneh LT, Bashtawi M, Ababneh BF, Mahmoud IH, Rashdan M, Zahran M. Ocular findings in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a case-control study. Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2020;57:303-6.
    8. Karaca I, Demirkılınç Biler E, Palamar M, Özbaran B, Üretmen Ö. Stereoacuity, fusional vergence amplitudes, and refractive errors prior to treatment in patients with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Turk J Ophthalmol. 2020;50:15–9.
    9. Koda K, Ago Y, Cong Y, Kita Y, Takuma K, Matsuda T. Effects of acute and chronic administration of atomoxetine and methylphenidate on extracellular levels of noradrenaline, dopamine and serotonin in the prefrontal cortex and striatum of mice. J Neurochem. 2010;114:259–70.
    10. Quintero J, Gutiérrez-Casares JR, Álamo C. Molecular characterisation of the mechanism of action of stimulant drugs lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate on ADHD neurobiology: a review. Neurol Ther. 2022;11:1489–1517.
    11. Wolraich ML, Hagan JF Jr., Allan C, et al. Clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents. Pediatrics. 2019;144:e20192528.
    12. Huang Y, Chen X, Zhuang J, Yu K. The role of retinal dysfunction in myopia development. Cell Mol Neurobiol. 2023;43:1905–30.
    13. Zhou X, Pardue MT, Iuvone PM, Qu J. Dopamine signaling and myopia development: what are the key challenges. Prog Retin Eye Res. 2017;61:60–71.

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  • Gold price surges by Rs2,500 per tola in Pakistan 

    Gold price surges by Rs2,500 per tola in Pakistan 





    Gold price surges by Rs2,500 per tola in Pakistan  – Daily Times



































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  • Did Ahaan Panday almost lose ‘Saiyaara’ due to Shah Rukh Khan mimicry video? Mohit Suri clarifies |

    Did Ahaan Panday almost lose ‘Saiyaara’ due to Shah Rukh Khan mimicry video? Mohit Suri clarifies |

    Director Mohit Suri has revealed that debutant Ahaan Panday nearly missed out on his lead role in ‘Saiyaara’ a romantic musical drama, due to an old mimicry video of Shah Rukh Khan that resurfaced online. The video, which showed Ahaan recreating iconic scenes from ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ and ‘Mohabbatein’, drew criticism and raised doubts about his casting.

    Mohit Suri says Ahaan Panday’s mimicry video was endearing, not disqualifying

    In an interview with Radio Nasha, Mohit Suri clarified that Ahaan Panday’s mimicry video was made well before he joined the industry. He shared that while his wife found the video endearing, he hadn’t seen it himself. By the time they met, Ahaan had already taken it down after being advised to focus on acting over mimicry.Initially, Mohit Suri didn’t think Ahaan Panday was right for the role and was advised by Aditya Chopra to meet him for dinner to let him down gently. However, after spending time with Ahaan until 3 AM, Suri saw his character come alive in him. Later, in a playful twist, Ahaan sent Suri all his bad audition videos on WhatsApp, joking, “Look who you’ve cast.”

    ‘Saiyaara’ marks Ahaan Panday’s debut opposite Aneet Padda

    The film stars Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda in lead roles and explores a rollercoaster romance set against a musical backdrop. The trailer, released on July 9, has garnered over 4 million views, with fans praising the fresh pairing and emotional tone.Already popular on several platforms, the music album comprises songs by Mithoon, Sachet-Parampara, Vishal Mishra, Tanishk Bagchi, and Faheem Abdullah.

    Mohit Suri says ‘Saiyaara’ is not another ‘Aashiqui 2’

    While comparisons to Aashiqui 2 are inevitable, Mohit Suri clarified that Saiyaara is a completely different story. He explained that it follows a young boy chasing big dreams, someone who hasn’t even tasted success yet. In fact, Suri added, Saiyaara feels more personal and closer to his own early years.The film is set to release in theatres on July 18, 2025, and marks Suri’s first collaboration with Yash Raj Films.


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  • Saudi Riyal to Pakistani Rupee Rate Today- July 18, 2025

    Saudi Riyal to Pakistani Rupee Rate Today- July 18, 2025

    KARACHI, Pakistan: As of July 18, 2025, the Pakistani Rupee (PKR) recorded a slight depreciation against the Saudi Riyal (SAR) in the interbank market.

    The local currency closed at PKR 75.97 per SAR, down by 1 paisa or 0.01% from the previous day’s rate of PKR 75.98. The trading session saw the PKR fluctuate, reaching an intraday high (bid) of 76.00 and a low (ask) of 76.20, indicating minor market adjustments.

    Saudi Riyal to Pakistani Rupee Rate Latest- SAR to PKR

    In the open market, exchange companies quoted the Saudi Riyal at PKR 75.95 for buying and PKR 76.25 for selling. Against other major currencies, the PKR showed mixed trends: it weakened by 78.00 paisa or 0.23% against the Euro (EUR) to 343.30, appreciated by 50 paisa or 0.13% against the British Pound (GBP) to 379.85, and depreciated by 36.00 paisa or 0.10% against the Swiss Franc (CHF) to 362.71.

    The PKR gained 0.01 paisa or 0.01% against the Japanese Yen (JPY) to 1.9712, fell by 2.65 paisa or 0.07% against the Chinese Yuan (CNY) to 39.86, and increased by 2.10 paisa or 0.03% against the UAE Dirham (AED) to 77.57. Against the US Dollar (USD), the PKR closed at 284.87, up by 0.04% from the previous day.

    In the money market, the benchmark 6-month Karachi Interbank Bid and Offer rates remained steady at 10.72% and 10.97%, respectively. Year-to-date, the PKR has depreciated by 6.41 rupees or 2.25% against the USD, while the current fiscal year decline is 11.07 paisa or 0.04%, with minor shifts against the SAR.

    Impact of Riyal Rate on Pakistan and Pakistanis

    The slight weakening of the PKR against the SAR affects Pakistan’s economy and its citizens, particularly those with ties to Saudi Arabia. Higher costs for remittances and imports from Saudi Arabia, such as oil, may strain household budgets and businesses reliant on these funds. This could lead to increased living expenses and reduced purchasing power. However, the stable USD rate offers some balance. The government’s fiscal planning remains under pressure, emphasizing the need for clear economic insights to guide public and business decisions.

    The Saudi Riyal (SAR), pegged to the US Dollar, is a key currency in the Gulf region.

    The Pakistani Rupee (PKR), managed by the State Bank of Pakistan, continues to reflect domestic economic conditions and global market influences.


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