ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday met Federal Minister for Water Resources Faisal Vawda and chairman of the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) retired Lt Gen Muzamil Hussain and discussed with them the Rs300 billion Mohmand dam project that has now become controversial, according to sources. Talking to Dawn, some top-ranking national contractors said the government had made the …

ISLAMABAD: Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) Policy Board Chairman Khalid Mirza has criticised the government as well as the the Federal Investigation Agency(FIA) for conducting a raid on the SECP head office. “Such practice may be justified for those entities that may hide records or facts, but conducting a midnight raid at a regulatory body was an illegal …

ISLAMABAD: In line with a continuous hike in the central bank’s interest rates, the Central Directorate of National Savings (CDNS) on Tuesday increased profit margins on all national savings schemes by up to 2.74 per cent. The new rates would be applicable to deposits and investments made with effect from January 1, 2019. This is the 5th increase in returns …

ISLAMABAD: Amid rising prices despite subsidised imported stocks, the Economic Coordination Com­­­mittee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Tuesday directed the Ministry of Industries and Production (MoIP) to chalk out a plan for continuous and smooth operation of urea plants in the country throughout the year. The meeting presided over by Finance Minister Asad Umar also could not take a conclusive …

South Africa and Pakistan must resolve selection headaches ahead of the second Test starting at Newlands on Thursday. South Africa’s six-wicket win in the first Test at Centurion was set up by the bowling of Duanne Olivier, who had match figures of 11 for 96. Olivier got his chance because of an injury to Vernon Philander, who is fit again …

LAHORE: A 20-member Iranian kabaddi team has arrived here on Tuesday to take part in the three-nation series being held at different cities from January 8 to 14 also involving India and hosts Pakistan. The Indian team is likely to arrive via Wagah Border this week with matches to be held in Sahiwal, Bahawalpur, Sargodha and Lahore. Iran captain Hamid …

LAHORE: Samba Bank and Pakistan Air Force (PAF) earned close victories on the opening day of the Pakistan Polo Cup at the Lahore Polo Club ground on Tuesday. Hissam Ali Hyder’s four goals saw Samba Bank edge past PBG/Remounts 6-4½ while a 2½-goal handicap saw PAF prevail against Olympia 5½-5. PBG/Remounts had a 1½-goal handicap but they were undone by …

CAIRO: Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have again made the shortlist for the Confederation of African Football player of the year award, the second year running the trio have battled it out for the prize. Egypt’s Salah claimed the honour last year and will be favourite again, hoping to become the fourth player to win back-to-back titles after …

PERTH: Roger Federer took the honours in the much-anticipated mixed doubles clash with fellow great Serena Williams in what the latter described as the “match of her career” at the Hopman Cup in Perth Tuesday. In the biggest mixed doubles drawcard in the 31-year history of the tournament, in what is expected to be its final edition, Federer teamed with …

DUBAI: Afghanistan, who made their Test debut barely six months ago, have earned direct entry into the group stage of the T20 World Cup in 2020 but Sri Lanka as well as Bangladesh will have to qualify, the ICC announced here on Tuesday. Afghanistan’s rise to eighth in the ICC T20 rankings means they will go straight into the Super …