Hajj climaxes with call for unity

Pilgrims pray for forgiveness as sermon stresses brotherhood, global Muslim unity Pilgrims gather near misting fans at Mount of Mercy on the plain of Arafat. Photo: REUTERS MOUNT ARAFAT, SAUDI ARABIA: Millions of Muslims gathered on the plains of Arafat on Tuesday for Waqoof-e-Arafat, the climax of Hajj, as chants of “Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik” echoed…

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Linking KSA troop deployments to regional tensions a ‘distorted narrative’: security sources 

‘Such engagements shouldn’t be mischaracterised as offensive or linked to speculative regional scenarios’ Royal Saudi Land Forces and units of Special Forces of the Pakistani army take part in a joint military exercise called “Al-Samsam 5” in Shamrakh field, north of Baha region, southwest Saudi Arabia on March 30, 2015. Photo: Saudi Press Agency (SPA)…

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AI chip race, taxes hurt mobile output

According to industry projections, sustaining Pakistan’s local mobile industry between 2026 and 2031 could generate foreign exchange savings of more than $2.3 billion while gradually reducing dependence on imports. photo: file KARACHI: Pakistan’s emerging mobile phone manufacturing industry is coming under mounting pressure from a global artificial intelligence (AI)-led technology shift and domestic taxation measures,…

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SBP forex reserves increase $17m

KARACHI: Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) increased by $17 million on a weekly basis to $15.87 billion during the week ended May 8, 2026, the central bank said on Thursday. The country’s total liquid foreign reserves stood at $21.34 billion. Of these, the net reserves held by commercial…

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NDMA issues heatwave alert for Sindh, south Punjab from April 11

Residents advised to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities during peak daytime hours ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Tuesday issued a heat alert for various districts in Sindh and Punjab, warning of potentially severe temperatures starting from April 11. The authority said that districts likely to be impacted include Dadu, Jacobabad, Larkana, and the surrounding…

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Sharae Faisal goes under automated lane watch

E-challans issued for violations as right lanes reserved for private vehicles and left for bikes, commercial traffic Sharae Faisal, which spans approximately 14 kilometres, has been selected for the pilot project due to its importance as Karachi’s main traffic artery and the relative ease of monitoring compliance. PHOTO: ET KARACHI: Traffic authorities have formally launched…

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Mohmand, Dasu dams costs surge by Rs1.6tr

Documents also showed a major increase in allocations for development of local communities affected by projects ISLAMABAD: The construction cost of the Mohmand Dam and Dasu Hydropower Project has increased by a combined Rs1.607 trillion, pushing the total estimated cost of the two mega hydropower projects from around Rs800 billion to nearly Rs2.4 trillion. According…

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