ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday directed the authorities concerned to achieve targets set by the Mineral Development Framework (MDF) to get maximum benefits from minerals and natural resources of the country. The prime minister emphasised the need for provision of electricity, gas, tax relief and other facilities to Special Economic Zones (SEZs) being developed under the China Pakistan …

KARACHI: The first day of the week on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a declining trend with the benchmark index dropping 647.89 points or 1.46 per cent to close at 43,829.35 points as foreigners continued selling stocks unabated. According to Topline Sec­urities, TRG Pakistan Ltd alone dented the KSE-100 index by 118.55 points. The stock dragged the index down …

ISLAMABAD: To reduce chances of Covid-19 transmission during the upcoming Eid Miladun Nabi celebrations, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has issued standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the occasion. On the other hand, more than 1,000 coronavirus cases surfaced after a gap of three days. The NCOC, which met on Monday, issued guidelines to local authorities, organisers and participants …

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi will host a special summit of the Group of 20 major economies on Tuesday to discuss Afghanistan, as worries grow about a looming humanitarian disaster following the Taliban’s return to power. Since the Taliban took over Afghanistan on Aug 15, the country — already struggling with drought and severe poverty after decades of war — …

MADRID: Spain was on Monday evacuating via Pakistan Afghan helpers left behind when western forces quit Kabul, a government source confirmed on condition of anonymity. The government source declined to give any details of the move, citing security concerns. But Spanish media, including daily El Pas and National Radio, reported that Madrid would bring close to 250 Afghan citizens, who had already crossed …

FRANKFURT: German rail operator Deutsche Bahn and industrial group Siemens on Monday unveiled the world’s first automated, driverless train in the city of Hamburg, billing it as more punctual and energy efficient than traditional trains. Four such trains will join the northern city’s S-Bahn rapid urban rail network and start carrying passengers from December, using the existing rail infrastructure. Other …

Internet users faced disruptions in parts of the country on Monday as a submarine cable developed a fault near Fujairah, UAE, according to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). The PTA said some users might have faced degradation in services due to the fault, adding that “the faulty cable segment has been repaired and work is underway to make the services fully …

LAHORE: With the prospects of coping with the dew factor in the National T20 Cup semi-final, Sindh missed out avoiding the inevitable with a sluggish five-wicket win over the already-eliminated Balochistan on Monday. On a Gaddafi Stadium pitch heavily loaded in favour of spinners, even chasing a negligible 114 became as arduous as climbing a mountain. Sindh — who had …

KARACHI: Experienced second seed Mohammad Sajjad finally halted an unprecedented run of young Ahsan Ramzan as the former recorded an excitement-filled 7-6 victory in the final to win the fourth overall national snooker title here at the NBP Sports Complex on Monday. Fresh from his victories over Asif and Babar Masih in preceding matches, Punjab’s Ahsan moved led 1-0, 2-1, …