Pakistan Shaheens squad announced for Asian Games

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially designated all-rounder Qasim Akram as the captain of the Pakistan Shaheens for their participation in the 19th Asian Games, slated to be held in Hangzhou, China. The competition will adopt the fast-paced T20 format and is scheduled to run from September 28 to October 7.

Qasim Akram, a promising 20-year-old cricketer, brings a wealth of experience, having already featured in 20 first-class matches and 40 T20 encounters. Notably, he captained the Pakistan U19 team during the ICC U19 World Cup in 2022, showcasing his leadership prowess.

Within the 15-member squad selected for the Asian Games, eight players have already donned Pakistan’s national colors at the international level. These seasoned campaigners include Aamir Jamal (2 T20Is), Arshad Iqbal (1 T20I), Asif Ali (21 ODIs, 55 T20Is), Haider Ali (2 ODIs, 33 T20Is), Khushdil Shah (10 ODIs, 24 T20Is), Mohammad Hasnain (9 ODIs, 27 T20Is), Shahnawaz Dahani (2 ODIs, 11 T20Is), and Usman Qadir (1 ODI, 23 T20Is).

Furthermore, among the 15-member squad, eight players—Aamir Jamal, Arafat Minhas, Arshad Iqbal, Omair Bin Yousuf, Qasim Akram, Rohail Nazir, Shahnawaz Dahani, and Sufiyan Muqeem—have recently been part of the Shaheens side. Notably, since May 2023, Pakistan Shaheens have embarked on extensive tours, visiting Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, and Australia.

Their tour of Zimbabwe saw Shaheens dominate in the two four-dayers against Zimbabwe A, although they faced a 4-2 loss in the 50-over matches against Zimbabwe Select. Subsequently, they clinched victory in the ACC Men’s Emerging Asia Cup held in Sri Lanka in July, triumphing over India A by 108 runs in the final. However, they secured the runner-up position in the six-team Top End T20 Series held in Darwin, Australia, earlier this month.

Following the tournament’s regulations, the Shaheens will make their appearance in the Asian Games from the quarter-final stage, set for October 3 and 4. The semi-finals are scheduled for October 6, with the grand final slated for October 7. Additionally, a match for the bronze medal will also be contested on Saturday, October 7.

It’s noteworthy that the Pakistan men’s team previously secured a bronze medal during their inaugural and sole participation in the Asian Games, which was held in Guangzhou, China, in 2010.

Pakistan Shaheens Squad:

Qasim Akram (Captain)
Omair Bin Yousuf
Aamir Jamal
Arafat Minhas
Arshad Iqbal
Asif Ali
Haider Ali
Khushdil Shah
Mirza Tahir Baig
Mohammad Hasnain
Muhammad Akhlaq
Rohail Nazir
Shahnawaz Dahani
Sufiyan Muqeem
Usman Qadir

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PSO Reports 90% Drop in Annual profit

The Pakistan State Oil (PSO) reported that its profit dropped by 90% in the financial year 2023, mainly because of an increase in the cost of production, inflation, and other financial vulnerabilities. The state-owned oil company’s profit stood at Rs 9.82 billion for the year that ended on June 30th.

In the previous financial year, PSO’s consolidated profit was Rs. 95.72 billion. The company stated that the increased circular debts are damaging its financial health to a great extent.

The report said, “A number of options are under discussion with the government to resolve the issue and reduce the unwarranted onus on PSO’s financials.”

According to the detailed financial analysis shared, for the first nine months (Jul-Mar) of the financial year 2023, “circular debt continued to be a major concern. Receivables from Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) increased by 65% from March 31, 2022, increasing PSO’s average borrowings by 157% and finance cost by 995 basis points compared to the same period of last year.”

It further added, “FY23 continued to be fragile and turbulent on both the global and domestic fronts. World economies, including Pakistan, continue to battle high inflation and regressed growth with increasing financial vulnerabilities.”

The demand of petroleum products overall declined this year mainly due to the economic meltdown and increased fuel prices. The white oil sales was dropped by 19.6%, motor gasoline decreased by 17.1%, and diesel sales declined by 24.9%.

Scientists Decipher Blueprint of ‘Y’ Chromosome; Could Be a Breakthrough in Understanding Infertility in Men

In a remarkable advancement in scientific research, scientists have successfully deciphered the blueprint of the human genome present in males; the ‘Y’ chromosome. With this discovery, scientists are hopeful to understand the core reason behind male infertility.

For the first time ever, scientists revealed the complete blueprint of the Y chromosome. The Y chromosome is one of the two sex chromosomes (X & Y) that is present in males and is responsible for determining the male gender in the offspring; the X chromosome is associated with females. The Y chromosome is threadlike in structure and carries genetic information from one cell to another.

“Many of these genes are important for fertility and reproduction, and especially spermatogenesis, so being able to catalog normal variation as well the situations when, for example, azoospermia (an absence of sperm in semen) occurs, could be helpful for IVF (in vitro fertilization) clinics as well as further research into the activity of these genes,” Cechova said – a scientist involved in the research.

According to scientists, some more Y chromosomes have also been identified. It was also revealed that previously some Y chromosomal DNA was mistaken for bacteria, which is not the case and further research is going on to understand the nature of this DNA.

Cechova added, “We now have a recipe on how to assemble the Y chromosome fully, which, while expensive at the moment, can translate into personalized genomics in the future.”

200 Dinosaurs Participated In This Weird Race That Happened in Seattle, US

Ever seen dinosaurs running on a track? Yes, the dinosaurs do not exist anymore but they do appear at the T-Rex World Championship each year.

More than 200 individuals donning inflatable T-Rex dinosaur costumes ran for the title of the 2023 T-Rex World Championships happened at Emerald Downs in Seattle. The event was first organized as a team-building activity by a company associated with pest control.

The winners of the race were identified as Ocean Kim from Hawaii, Colton Winegar from Idaho, and Seth Hirschi from Renton.

It is believed that the real Tyrannosaurus Rex dinosaurs lived on the planet Earth nearly 65-67 Million years ago. According to a study, there were around 2.5 billion dinosaurs who used to live here.

You Will be Amazed by How Sony Marketed its Famous Walkman to Show It Is Waterproof

Sony’s Walkman W270 Series caught a lot of attention in 2014, mainly because of the creative idea it was promoted in. The waterproof headphones were actually put in water bottles to make imcreaye believability. The idea was so amazing and clutter-breaking that people are still discussing it today.

The headphones did not get enough attention initially in New Zealand and not many people seemed interested in buying them. Considering this, the company put the headphones in water bottles and started selling them in pools and gyms at $99.95. Suddenly, this idea clicked and people started buying them. The headphone sales skyrocketed and Sony was completely sold out by the end of 2015. The company successfully sold 380% more headphones than they anticipated.

These headphones were great for sportsmen, specifically for swimmers who remain underwater. They were designed to work in the presence of water and could work for around an hour underwater.

Illegal Iranian Petrol Trade Sparks Safety Concerns in Karachi

Karachi is currently grappling with a pressing issue of illegal Iranian petrol sales rampant across the city. As per a recent media report, certain individuals have established unauthorized petrol distribution operations, frequently peddling Iranian gasoline in makeshift plastic containers.

This illicit trade not only poses severe threats to public safety but also undermines legitimate businesses and government efforts aimed at regulating the petroleum industry.

Local law enforcement agencies have taken cognizance of this alarming issue and are gearing up to address it. However, disconcertingly, the report also shed light on a disheartening twist – instead of cracking down on the illegal trade, some police officers were allegedly involved in purchasing gasoline from these illicit operators.

Additionally, past incidents have vividly demonstrated the perils associated with unrestricted gasoline sales in such unregulated environments. Karachi has witnessed multiple fires stemming from mishandling and improper storage of fuel, placing both lives and property in jeopardy.

In response, concerned citizens have fervently appealed to the authorities to take swift action against the hazardous and unlawful sale of fuel in these unsafe conditions.

PIA Grounds 11 Aircraft Amidst Severe Financial Crisis

In a troubling development, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has been forced to ground a significant portion of its aircraft fleet, with a total of 11 planes, including three Boeing 777s, taken out of service. The national carrier is grappling with a severe financial crisis that has severely impacted its operations.

PIA, which typically operates a fleet of around 30 aircraft, has been embroiled in a complex predicament for the past three years, struggling to procure essential spare parts due to a lack of funds. This shortage has resulted in the grounding of 11 aircraft, causing a ripple effect across its operational infrastructure.

Among the grounded aircraft, two wide-body Boeing 777 planes were immobilized in 2020, with one more following suit in 2021. An additional five A320 aircraft faced grounding, with two in 2021 and three more in 2023. The troubled fleet also includes three ATR aircraft, one grounded in 2020, another in 2022, and the final one in 2023.

A spokesperson for PIA confirmed this distressing news, citing the unavailability of funds for critical spare parts as the reason behind grounding these aircraft. The beleaguered airline is caught in acute financial tribulations, exacerbated by its reliance on foreign currency.

Expanding on the situation’s magnitude, a high-ranking airline official revealed that PIA’s overall fleet comprises 31 aircraft. Of the 11 grounded planes, which include Boeing 777s, Airbus models, and ATRs, some are deemed irreparable due to the unavailability of critical components, including engines.

The official emphasized that PIA is currently sustaining its operations with the remaining 20 aircraft, operating flights within the constraints of available resources. However, the potential increase in flight frequencies, particularly on international routes, could exacerbate the airline’s predicament, raising the risk of aircraft shortages.

PIA’s operational network, as depicted on its website, spans across Asia, Europe, and North America, encompassing 19 countries. The consequential grounding of aircraft has inconvenienced passengers, leading to flight rescheduling and, in some cases, cancellations. Several travelers have also faced the ordeal of being stranded at airport facilities.

This enduring financial crisis has cast a long shadow over PIA, painting a bleak financial outlook. The airline has suffered chronic losses over the years, prompting multiple government interventions to salvage its viability.

Recent government initiatives have included a bailout infusion of Rs. 30 billion for PIA. However, the sufficiency of this lifeline in revitalizing the beleaguered airline’s fortunes remains uncertain.

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Pakistani Rupee Goes Up Against US Dollar In Interbank

The Pakistani Rupee has finally gone up on Tuesday after facing severe pressure against the US Dollar on Monday. According to market data, the local currency was trading at Rs. 296.75 against the US Dollar after an increase of 38 paisas. On Monday, the closing interbank rate was Rs 297.13.

Interbank closing #ExchangeRate for today https://t.co/06ebUn3yum #SBPExchangeRate pic.twitter.com/A8hyc0EJDw
— SBP (@StateBank_Pak) August 21, 2023

Lucky Cement Starts 2nd Solar Plant to Save Rs 0.5bn/Year

Lucky Cement’s second solar power plant is up and running. The project is initiated with the objective to reduce the cost of operations while increasing the profit margin in the current challenging economic environment.

A notification sent to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) by Lucky Cement read, “We are pleased to announce the successful completion and commissioning of our 25MW captive solar power plant located at our manufacturing site in Karachi. (The plant)…has commenced operation as of August 20, 2023.”

The second solar power plant is set up with Rs3 Billion investment and it is expected to help the company save half a million rupees every year.

The notification further read, “Since solar pants have a low specific yield, a 25MW plant will give a net output of around 5MW, which is likely to result in annual savings of Rs480 million for the company.”

With the second solar plant, the company’s self-consumption power generation capacity has increased to 39%. This capacity also includes the 34MW energy produced by the first power plant which was installed in December last year.

Faisal Mehmood, Lucky Cement’s GM Finance and Company Secretary Faisal Mahmood, “The combined capacity of both solar power plants has significantly bolstered our commitment to renewable and clean energy.” He added, “The investment in renewable energy initiative will save costs and also reduce the country’s reliance on imported fuel. We remain committed to pursuing environmentally conscious initiatives in the future.”

Hareem Shah Threatens to Leak Video of Shehbaz Sharif

Hareem Shah, a famous Tiktoker, said in a post on ‘X’ that she will release the video of Shehbaz Sharif at 12 pm on Monday. She added that the reason for leaking this video would be the illegal detention of Imran Khan, Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf(PTI), in jail by the Shehbaz government.

https://twitter.com/_Hareem_Shah/status/1693320240954736652?s=20

Shah first made headlines during the government of PTI when she was spotted in government offices meeting government officials.

Hareem Shah also said that today she will be leaking the first video of Shehbaz Sharif, hinting toward more videos in the upcoming days.

Air Sial All Set to Fly International Routes

Air Sial, which is also Pakistan’s third privately-owned airline, is all set to fly international routes. The airline will offer two international flights per week from Sialkot and five flights per week from Multan.

A spokesperson from the UAE embassy in Islamabad told the media that Bakheet Ateeq Al-Rumaithi, UAE Consul General in Karachi and Fazal Jilani, Chairman Air Sial officially inaugurated the first Air Sial international flight from the Sialkot International Airport.

A small cake-cutting ceremony was held at the airport to mark the new beginnings which was attended by the officials from Air Sial and Sialkot International Airport. Mr Al-Rumaithi extended his good wishes to the Air Sial Chairman and his team.

The UAE Consul General mentioned, “I have traveled with Air Sial and enjoyed it very much.”

Air Sial was launched in December 2020 by the members of the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The airline started off with three Airbus A320-200 planes and its first flight flew between Karachi and Islamabad.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi Arrested

Newly-appointed Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi addresses the media on his first day at the Foreign Ministry in Islamabad on August 20, 2018. (Photo by FAROOQ NAEEM / AFP)

Pakistani opposition luminary Shah Mehmood Qureshi found himself in detention on a fateful Saturday, a move swiftly announced by his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. This dramatic turn of events came mere hours after Qureshi boldly proclaimed the party’s readiness to legally challenge any postponement of Pakistan’s impending elections.

Zulfi Bukhari, the PTI spokesperson, conveyed that the precise rationale behind Qureshi’s apprehension remained shrouded in ambiguity. A notable silence enveloped the caretaker information minister, who refrained from immediate commentary.

Expressing outrage, Bukhari turned to the digital realm, specifically the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter). Here, he decried the detention, highlighting that it transpired merely due to Qureshi’s exercise of democratic discourse via a press conference. This action, Bukhari affirmed, was in defense of PTI’s unwavering stance against prevailing tyranny and pre-election manipulation in Pakistan.

The PTI party chairman, Imran Khan, grappled with a three-year incarceration stemming from corruption allegations, subsequently barring him from electoral participation for half a decade. Denying any wrongdoing, Khan had assumed the prime minister’s mantle post the 2018 election, only to face a no-confidence ousting in 2022. As Pakistan’s political landscape contends with constitutional, political, and economic turmoil, the election, legally mandated to occur within 90 days following parliament’s dissolution, teeters on uncertainty.

Adding to the complexity, the outgoing government sanctioned a fresh census during its final days, necessitating the redrawing of electoral boundaries by the Election Commission. This labyrinthine endeavor in a nation of 241 million citizens may extend over six months, as suggested by a former commission official.

While the Election Commission disclosed plans to finalize new constituencies by December 14, the official date for the election remains in abeyance. Electoral pundits speculate that this process could potentially postpone the nationwide vote by several months, conceivably extending into February.

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Pakistan’s Major Dams Reach Full Capacity on Same Day

Pakistan’s three primary dams, including Mangla and Tarbela dams, as well as Chashma Barrage, achieved their maximum storage capacity in a remarkable one-day feat on August 17, marking a historic milestone. This collective water storage now stands at an impressive 13.443 million acre-feet (MAF), instilling confidence in abundant crop yields for both the current Kharif and upcoming Rabi seasons.

The Indus River System Authority (IRSA) celebrated this event as a monumental achievement, with all three reservoirs reaching their maximum conservation levels (MCLs) simultaneously. The success can be attributed to well-coordinated efforts and efficient water management. The Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), responsible for reservoir operations, considers this a promising sign for Pakistan’s agriculture and hydroelectric power generation.

As of now, Mangla Dam holds 7.356 MAF at its maximum conservation level of 1,242 feet, followed by Tarbela with 5.809 MAF at 1,550 feet, and Chashma with 0.278 MAF at 649 feet. The synchronized filling of these reservoirs ensures a reliable water supply for agriculture and addresses inter-seasonal transfer requirements.

This achievement comes amidst the challenges posed by hydrological uncertainties resulting from climate change and technical limitations. IRSA had initially expressed concerns about reduced water flows during early Kharif 2023. However, timely and widespread rains in the upper and lower catchment areas, especially in the eastern rivers, have enabled effective management and control of provincial water releases.

The resurgence of water in the downstream areas of the eastern rivers, such as Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej, after a decade-long absence, has reduced the need for discharges from the Mangla Dam. This change in water flow patterns highlights the necessity for vigilance among communities residing near old riverbeds.

Interestingly, this accomplishment aligns with Indian reservoirs on the Sutlej and Beas rivers at Bhakra and Pong storages nearing their maximum levels. This synchronicity underscores the interconnected nature of water management in the region.

The attainment of maximum capacity in Pakistan’s major reservoirs brings renewed hope for bumper crop production during the crucial Kharif and Rabi seasons, promising positive implications for the nation’s vital agricultural sector and overall economy.

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Empowering Your Reality: Redmi A2+ Redefining the Game!

Lahore, Pakistan, June 18th- Xiaomi today announces the all-new Redmi A2+, a beloved entry-level smartphone bringing the absolute price-to-performance ratio to the mass. Featuring an impressive octa-core processor, Redmi A2+ delivers all the power you need for seamless browsing and multimedia consumption. It also offers a smooth and reliable software experience, ensuring fluidity in daily use. Equipped with an 8MP AI dual camera system and a 6.52″ HD+ large display, Redmi A2+ are capable of capturing various perspectives in daily life. Additionally, with the help of a long-lasting 5,000mAh (typ) battery, provide the power you need all day long.

Market Availability

Redmi A2+ is now available online at Mistore, Corecart, Daraz and Xiaomi sale. It will also be available nationwide in all retail outlets

Our Distributors are Tech Sirat, Airlink Communications, Smartlink Technologies, Core Tech, Phonezo Impex , Burque

Currently, there is only one variant available

3GB+64GB: Rs.24999

Device Specifications

Display	6.52’’ HD + Dot Drop Display
Rear Camera	8MP AI Dual Camera System
Front Camera	5MP Selfie Camera
Battery	5000 mAh Battery
Processor	MediaTek Helio G36

About Xiaomi Corporation

The Xiaomi Corporation was founded in April 2010 and is listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange since July 9, 2018 (1810. HK). Xiaomi is a consumer electronics and smart manufacturing company with smartphones and innovative hardware connected by an IoT platform at its core.

Embracing our vision of “Make friends with users and be the coolest company in the users’ hearts”, Xiaomi continuously pursues innovations, high-quality user experience, and operational efficiency. The company relentlessly builds amazing products with honest prices to let everyone in the world enjoy a better life through innovative technology.

Xiaomi is one of the world’s leading smartphone companies. The company’s market share in terms of smartphone shipments ranked no. 3 globally in 2021. The company has also established the world’s leading consumer AIoT (AI+IoT) platform, with more than 400 million smart devices connected to its platform as of September 30, 2021, excluding smartphones and laptops. Xiaomi products are present in more than 100 countries and regions around the world. In August 2021, the company made the Fortune Global 500 list for the third time, ranking 338th, up 84 places compared to 2020.

Xiaomi is a constituent of the Hang Seng Index, Hang Seng China Enterprises Index, Hang Seng TECH Index, and Hang Seng China 50 Index.

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