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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrives in Jeddah for a brief official visit, meeting Saudi Crown Prince to discuss regional security, bilateral ties, and escalating tensions following the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, the PMO said.

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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan security forces have killed 663 Afghan Taliban and affiliated terrorists and injured more than 887 others during the ongoing cross-border campaign conducted under Operation Ghazab lil Haq, as the operation enters its third week.&nbsp;Pakistan&rsquo;s Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar released the latest operational summary on Friday, saying the military campaign continues to target terrorist infrastructure used for attacks against Pakistan.&nbsp;In a statement posted on X, Tarar said the operation has resulted in the destruction of 249 check posts and 224 tanks, armoured vehicles and artillery systems linked to the Afghan Taliban and associated terrorist groups.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2032430603661111557&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles&sessionId=40893888f87bca9bc9630755cd101612bb851e9b&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 786px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div>&nbsp;According to the minister, 70 locations linked to terrorists and their support infrastructure across Afghanistan have also been effectively targeted through air operations.&nbsp;&ldquo;It is pertinent to mention that on the night of March 12&ndash;13, 2026, Pakistan successfully targeted terrorists&rsquo; affiliated installations in Afghanistan,&rdquo; Tarar said.&nbsp;He added that sites in Kabul, Paktia and Kandahar were struck, including terrorist logistical bases camps and operational hubs.&nbsp;Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab lil Haq following what officials described as repeated cross-border attacks from Afghan territory targeting security forces and civilian areas in Pakistan&rsquo;s northwestern regions.&nbsp;Islamabad says the campaign is aimed at dismantling terrorist networks operating from Afghan soil and preventing further infiltration into Pakistan.&nbsp;Pakistani officials have repeatedly stated that the strikes are directed at verified terrorist infrastructure rather than civilian targets.&nbsp;&ldquo;Pakistan is targeting only the infrastructure of terrorists and their support networks,&rdquo; Tarar said, adding that the operations are conducted on the basis of &ldquo;accurate intelligence information.&rdquo;&nbsp;The information minister also rejected claims circulating from the Afghan Taliban authorities and reports attributed to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan suggesting civilian casualties from the strikes.&nbsp;Tarar said the UN mission&rsquo;s information in Kabul relies on data provided by the Taliban authorities and does not reflect Pakistan&rsquo;s operational assessments.&nbsp;He also dismissed battlefield claims made by Afghanistan&rsquo;s interim government, describing them as inaccurate.&nbsp;&ldquo;The claims of battlefield victories against Pakistan are incorrect and merely propaganda,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;The escalation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border has drawn international attention in recent days, with several governments urging restraint and calling for dialogue to prevent wider regional instability.&nbsp;Pakistani officials, however, maintain that the operation is a defensive response to terrorism and that Pakistan remains committed to regional stability while safeguarding its national security.&nbsp;Islamabad has repeatedly said its demand to the Taliban authorities remains unchanged: verifiable action to ensure that Afghan territory is not used by terrorist groups to launch attacks against neighboring countries.

Security

Pakistan says its forces continue precision strikes against terrorist infrastructure across Afghanistan, targeting camps, logistics hubs and support networks as Operation Ghazab lil Haq advances into its third week amid ongoing regional tensions.

Over 660 Afghan Taliban, terrorists killed as Pakistan operation enters third week

Pakistan TV Satellite

ISLAMABAD: Former Saudi ambassador to Pakistan Dr Ali Awadh Asseri has hoped that consultations between the leadership of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia would yield positive results not only for the two countries but also for the wider region. Speaking on Pakistan TV&rsquo;s programme The Newsroom, Dr Asseri, while referring to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif&rsquo;s meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, said the engagement was particularly significant given the challenging situation in the region.&nbsp; He expressed optimism that high-level engagement between their leadership would contribute to regional peace and stability. The former envoy said relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia remained unique, profound and durable.&nbsp; &ldquo;I have no illusion whatsoever that the visit of the prime minister and the consultation between the two leaderships will achieve good, hopefully peace and tranquility for both nations to begin with and for the whole region,&rdquo; he said. Dr Asseri said Pakistan-Saudi relations had deep historical roots and continued to grow stronger with successive governments in both countries.&nbsp; &ldquo;The unique thing about this relationship is that it is a people-to-people relationship, and that is what makes it special,&rdquo; he said, adding that while leaders may change, the relationship continues to be reinforced by new leadership in both countries. Highlighting the scope of cooperation between the two countries, Dr Asseri said the relationship encompassed economic and military cooperation, including a defence pact.&nbsp; He also pointed to the presence of around 2.5 million Pakistanis living and working in Saudi Arabia as a key pillar of bilateral ties. The former ambassador also stressed the importance of diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation in the region.&nbsp; He said Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries had supported dialogue between the United States and Iran, facilitated by Oman&rsquo;s foreign minister, in the hope that it would yield positive results. He said Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and other GCC states were keen to see tensions reduced as the conflict served neither the Islamic world&rsquo;s interests nor the global economy, particularly amid disruptions to global oil supplies and rising prices.

The Newsroom

Former Saudi ambassador Dr Ali Awadh Asseri said Pakistan-Saudi leadership consultations, including Shehbaz Sharif’s meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, could strengthen bilateral ties, reduce regional tensions, and promote peace, stability, dialogue, and cooperation.

Consultations between Pakistan, Saudi leaderships to yield positive results for wider region: former envoy

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan conducted airstrikes targeting the Taliban&rsquo;s military positions in Afghanistan last night, security sources said on Friday. According to the security sources, airstrikes targeted the Brigade Headquarters in the Pul-e-Charkhi area of Kabul, Afghanistan. The airstrikes also targeted the Kandahar Airport. The airstrikes targeted the Taliban&#39;s military positions in Chamkani District of Paktia Province of Afghanistan, the sources said. They said that Taliban positions in Khost have also been struck.

Pakistan conducted airstrikes targeting the Taliban’s military positions in Afghanistan last night, security sources said on Friday.

Pakistan conducts airstrikes targeting Taliban’s military positions in Afghanistan: Security sources 

ISLAMABAD: The United Nations Development Program (UNDP), with support from the Government of Germany through KfW Development Bank and in partnership with the Government of Balochistan, has handed over 118 climate-resilient homes to flood-affected families in Hanna-Urak, Quetta District, said a press release issued by UNDP on Friday. The houses provide safer shelter for families whose homes were destroyed during the devastating floods in 2022, supporting communities to rebuild their lives while strengthening resilience to future climate shocks. The handover ceremony was attended by Mr. Mir Murad Baloch, Honorary Consul of Germany in Balochistan, and senior representatives from the Government of Balochistan, including Mr. Zeeshan Javed, Secretary of the Planning and Development Department (P&amp;DD); Ms. Batool Asadi, Chief of Foreign Aid, Planning and Development Department (P&amp;DD); and Mr. Naveed Ahmed Sheikh, Director Planning &amp; Coordination at the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), alongside local authorities and community representatives. The housing initiative forms part of the Flood Reconstruction and Coordination Program, through which UNDP is supporting the construction of 700 climate- and disaster-resilient houses in Balochistan.&nbsp; Over 150 houses handed over&nbsp;With the latest handover, 158 houses have now been completed and handed over, while the remaining houses are expected to be completed over the course of the coming months as the project continues to progress on schedule. The houses incorporate climate- and disaster-resilient features, including raised plinths to reduce flood risk, reinforced structural elements for improved seismic safety, and improved ventilation to better adapt to rising temperatures. Dr Samuel Rizk, Resident Representative of UNDP Pakistan, noted that the initiative reflects the importance of strong partnerships in supporting communities to recover from climate disasters.&nbsp; He emphasized that together with the Government of Germany and the Government of Balochistan, UNDP is committed to helping flood-affected families rebuild safer homes while strengthening long-term resilience to climate impacts. Beyond housing reconstruction, the program is also supporting resilient community physical infrastructure, benefiting thousands of people in Hanna-Urak, contributing to safer, stronger, and more resilient communities in Balochistan.

Economy

With the latest handover, 158 houses have now been completed and handed over, while the remaining houses are expected to be completed over the course of the coming months as the project continues to progress on schedule.

UNDP, Germany support climate-resilient housing for flood-affected families in Balochistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, announced Friday the launch of a new feeder shipping service from Karachi Port to the United Arab Emirates, marking a key step toward transshipment capabilities. According to a statement issued on Friday, Chaudhry said that Karachi Gateway Terminal (Private) Limited (KGTL), which is KPT&rsquo;s major business partner, will be supported by a dedicated feeder service linking Karachi with the UAE ports of Fujairah and Khor Fakkan, strengthening maritime connectivity for Pakistan&rsquo;s trading community amid evolving regional shipping dynamics. Regular shipping linkChaudhry said the new service establishes a regular shipping link between Karachi and two of the region&rsquo;s key transshipment hubs, enabling Pakistani importers and exporters to maintain reliable access to global container shipping networks. &quot;The service will call at KGTL, part of AD Ports Group&rsquo;s international operating arm, Noatum Ports. The first vessel of the service arrived at KGTL on the evening of 11 March, officially marking the start of regular operations,&quot; the minister added. Chaudhry noted the new feeder link supports supply chain continuity through KGTL and helps ensure Pakistan&rsquo;s trade maintains dependable access to international markets. Cargo routed through Fujairah and Khor Fakkan will benefit from seamless connectivity to regional and international shipping networks, supported by the UAE&rsquo;s advanced logistics infrastructure. Containers can be efficiently transferred via integrated road and rail corridors to major commercial hubs and logistics centers across the UAE. Talking on the new feeder service, Rear Admiral Shahid Ahmed (Retd), chairman, Karachi Port Trust, said, &quot;The introduction of this feeder service further enhances Karachi Port&rsquo;s connectivity with key regional hubs and supports Pakistan&rsquo;s growing trade requirements.&rdquo; Strengthening Pakistan&rsquo;s maritime connectivityHe added, &quot;Strengthening maritime links with the UAE will help facilitate smoother cargo movement while providing greater flexibility for the country&rsquo;s trading community as per the vision of Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Choudhry.&rdquo; &nbsp; Khurram Aziz Khan, chief executive officer of Karachi Gateway Terminal (Private) Limited (KGTL), said, &ldquo;The commencement of this feeder service reflects KGTL&rsquo;s continued commitment to strengthening Pakistan&rsquo;s maritime connectivity and supporting the country&rsquo;s trading community. By linking Karachi directly with major UAE transshipment hubs, this service provides importers and exporters with reliable access to global shipping networks while reinforcing the role of Karachi Gateway Terminal as a key gateway for international trade.&rdquo; Junaid Chaudhry said Pakistan&rsquo;s economy relies heavily on maritime trade, and strengthened connectivity with regional transshipment hubs provides additional resilience for exporters, importers, and supply chains.

Pakistani maritime affairs minister says the new service establishes a regular shipping link between Karachi and two of the region’s key transshipment hubs, enabling Pakistani importers and exporters to maintain reliable access to global container shipping networks.

UAE, Pakistan launch new feeder service to strengthen maritime connectivity

NEW YORK CITY: The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday debated Iran&rsquo;s nuclear program amid rising tensions in the Middle East, with Pakistan telling the 15-member body that an enduring situation lies in embracing diplomacy rather than abandoning it &ldquo;for short-sighted policies.&rdquo;&nbsp; &ldquo;It is clear that dialogue, diplomacy and constructive engagement remain the only viable way forward. And yet, diplomacy has been forfeited in favour of military means,&rdquo; Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, permanent representative of Pakistan to the United Nations (UN), said during a discussions on the UN &lsquo;Committee 1737&rsquo;, which oversees international sanctions on Iran regarding its nuclear and missile programs. &ldquo;The developments since last June as well as the ongoing situation that started with the unprovoked and unwarranted attacks on Iran have deeply impacted the context of Iran nuclear file,&rdquo; he said.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2032313042986271046&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2Fnew%2F&sessionId=c248310fe0919f799bba80033d73f620b941b880&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 841px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div>Regretting the breakdown of diplomacy on the Iranian nuclear issue, the Pakistani envoy said the validity of the fundamental principles and the multilateral spirit that led to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal, remained intact as also the consensus adoption of resolution 2231 in 2015. (But President Donald Trump, during his first term announced in 2018 the withdrawal of the United States (US) from JCPOA, terming it a &ldquo;horrible,&rdquo; &ldquo;one-sided&rdquo; deal that failed to protect US national security interests.) &ldquo;More than ever, and even during the current conflict and heightened tensions, it is clear that an enduring solution lies in embracing those time-tested principles rather than abandoning them for short-sighted policies,&rdquo; Ambassador Asim Ahmad said. The JCPOA, he said, &nbsp;was a &ldquo;unique instrument &ldquo;, manifestation of an approach based on dialogue, diplomacy and pragmatism, highlighting that it was the outcome of painstaking and arduous, yet constructive negotiations that charted a roadmap to comprehensively address the concerns of the parties based on reciprocal actions and thus embodying peaceful resolution of disputes that is at the heart the UN Charter. &ldquo;Pakistan lent its support to the negotiated settlement of the issue, and it remains our core position till today&rdquo;, he added. &ldquo;We have condemned all use of force, targeting of civilian infrastructure, and strikes on nuclear sites under IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) safeguards&rdquo;, the Pakistani envoy said, pointing out that strikes against nuclear facilities carried huge environmental and safety risks for the local population and people all around the region.He warned against disrupting IAEA&rsquo;s crucial verification mandate, saying that the agency is responsible for verifying compliance with respective nuclear safeguards obligations of Member States in an objective, impartial and credible manner on technical grounds. &ldquo;The IAEA should be enabled to fulfill this statutory function and its verification activities in Iran should resume unimpeded,&rdquo; the Pakistani envoy said.Pakistan, he said, &nbsp;calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities in the Middle East, and urged all parties to show maximum restraint, avoid further escalation, institute a permanent ceasefire, and resume dialogue. &ldquo;All our efforts aim in that direction&rdquo;, he said.

Pakistan told the UNSC that diplomacy, not military action, remains the only viable solution to Iran’s nuclear issue, urging restraint, ceasefire, renewed dialogue, and unimpeded IAEA verification activities.

As UNSC debates Iran nuclear program, Pakistan stresses diplomacy only way forward

DHAKA: Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Ramis Sen on Friday paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister&rsquo;s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir and reiterated Turkiye&rsquo;s support for Bangladesh&rsquo;s candidature for the presidency of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for the 2026&ndash;2027 term. The meeting took place at the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office in the capital&rsquo;s Tejgaon area in the afternoon, according to Prime Minister&rsquo;s Deputy Press Secretary Zahidul Islam Rony. During the meeting, both sides explored ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation. The adviser and the Turkish envoy exchanged views on expanding collaboration in key sectors including trade and investment, defense cooperation, education and cultural exchange, technology, and infrastructure development. They also discussed several regional and global issues, with particular focus on challenges faced by the Muslim world, humanitarian cooperation, and the importance of strengthening mutual support on international platforms. Both sides expressed optimism about further consolidating the historic friendship and cooperation between Bangladesh and Turkiye in the coming years. They reaffirmed their commitment to working together for the welfare of the people of both countries based on mutual respect, trust, and cooperation.

Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh, Ramis Sen, met with Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser, Humayun Kabir, today at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in Dhaka. Photo: BSS

Bangladesh

Turkish Ambassador Ramis Sen met Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir in Dhaka and reaffirmed Türkiye’s support for Bangladesh’s candidature for the presidency of the UN General Assembly’s 81st session (2026–2027).

Turkish Envoy reaffirms support for Bangladesh’s UNGA presidency candidature

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has successfully evacuated thousands of its citizens from Iran amid escalating tensions, said Muhammad Mudassir Tipu, Pakistan&rsquo;s Ambassador to Iran. In an exclusive interview on the Pakistan TV programme The Newsroom, Ambassador Tipu said that Pakistan has approximately 35,000 nationals living across Iran, with a significant number concentrated in the Sistan-Balochistan province near the Pakistan border, as well as in major cities such as Tehran, Isfahan, Hamadan, Qom and Karaj.&nbsp; He said a large portion of the population includes students, businessmen, pilgrims and individuals on short-term visits. &ldquo;Since the outbreak of hostilities, we have evacuated about 2,000 Pakistanis through government-coordinated efforts, while another 2,000&ndash;3,000 returned independently with our assistance,&rdquo; Tipu said, adding that over the past weeks the Pakistan embassy has been in constant contact with its citizens, guiding and sensitising them to the evolving situation. The ambassador highlighted the embassy&rsquo;s 24/7 operational centre, which coordinated evacuations by collecting citizen information, arranging buses, and guiding individuals to Pakistan&rsquo;s border at Taftan, adding that other routes, such as the Azerbaijan border, were also used to facilitate safe passage. Special attention was given to Pakistani students, including those at Tehran Medical University and other educational institutions.&nbsp; Tipu noted that Pakistani nationals in remote areas, including ports such as Bandar Abbas, were also assisted directly by embassy staff to ensure safe transport back to Pakistan. &ldquo;Citizens must be aware of working banking centres, ATM availability, and medicine supplies.&nbsp; Due to intermittent disruptions of Wi-Fi and navigation systems, we advised downloading Iranian navigation apps to ease travel within the country,&rdquo; he stressed. He urged Pakistani citizens still in Iran to contact the embassy via Twitter, Instagram, or official Foreign Ministry channels, which remain operational despite high call volumes.&nbsp; &ldquo;When the conflict began, we were receiving 400&ndash;500 calls daily, including messages from families in Pakistan seeking updates from their children,&rdquo; Tipu said.

In an exclusive interview on the Pakistan TV programme The Newsroom, Ambassador Tipu said that Pakistan has approximately 35,000 nationals living across Iran, with a significant number concentrated in the Sistan-Balochistan province near the Pakistan border, as well as in major cities such as Tehran, Isfahan, Hamadan, Qom and Karaj. 

Pakistan evacuates about 2,000 nationals amid rising tensions in Iran: Envoy

HONG KONG: Oil prices held gains above $100 Friday, and most equity markets dropped after Iran&#39;s leader called for the blocking of the crucial Strait of Hormuz and the opening up of new fronts in the US-Israeli war on Iran. With the conflict heading towards its third week and showing no signs of ending, investors are growing increasingly worried about an extended crisis that could fan inflation and hammer the global economy. Tehran has targeted energy facilities this week across the Gulf, with ships hit near Iraq, fuel tanks attacked in Bahrain, and drones fired at oil fields in Saudi Arabia. And it warned on Thursday that it would &quot;set the region&#39;s oil and gas on fire&quot; if its own energy infrastructure and ports were targeted. In his first public comments since succeeding his father four days ago, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said the Strait of Hormuz -- through which a fifth of global oil and gas passes -- must remain effectively shut. &quot;The lever of blocking the Strait of Hormuz must definitely be used,&quot; Khamenei said in a message read by an anchor on state television. Crude surges&nbsp;He also said, &quot;Studies have been conducted into opening other fronts where the enemy has little experience and would be highly vulnerable, and their activation will take place if the state of war persists&quot;. Crude surged more than nine percent Thursday, with Brent ending above $100 for the first time since 2022 when Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine.&nbsp; Brent is up around 40% since the US-Israeli war on Iran began on Feb. 28. And it held there in early Friday business, with analysts saying the record 400 million barrels released from International Energy Agency stockpiles had little impact. &lsquo;Largest supply disruption&rsquo;The IEA said Thursday that the war &quot;is creating the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market&quot;. Meanwhile, Donald Trump has faced intense political pressure as the global economic fallout of the crisis has mounted, while markets have brushed off his assertions that the battle would be short-lived. The US president struck a defiant tone in a social media post Thursday, writing that the United States &quot;is the largest Oil Producer in the World, by far, so when oil prices go up, we make a lot of money&quot;. &quot;BUT, of far greater interest and importance to me, as President, is stopping an evil Empire, Iran, from having Nuclear Weapons, and destroying the Middle East and, indeed, the World.&quot; However, Pepperstone&#39;s Chris Weston said: &quot;With crude closing near its highs, markets are increasingly pricing in a longer duration for the conflict and the continued impact of a potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz. &quot;Donald Trump may continue to explore the idea of assisting vessels through the strait, and if that were to materialize, the market could see a strong relief rally. &quot;For now, however, the dominant features are higher energy prices and extremely elevated volatility markets.&quot; As concerns over the impact mount, equity traders are taking flight, with Asian economies most at risk owing to their reliance on energy imports. Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Seoul, Mumbai, Bangkok, Wellington, Manila, and Jakarta were all down. The dollar held its gains against major rivals owing to its safe-haven status, fears of inflation, and expectations that interest rates will remain elevated longer than expected. Matt Weller, head of market research at City Index, warned that markets could be in for more pain after years of generally strong equity markets, subdued energy prices, and broadly low interest rates &quot;Those trends have reversed, and the default assumption as long as the Strait of Hormuz remains functionally closed is that stocks will be under pressure, oil prices will trend higher, and interest rates will tick up in unison,&quot; he wrote. &quot;Unless or until we see meaningful progress toward a ceasefire in the Middle East, traders should shift their expectations that the coming weeks and months will look different than the past couple of years, weighing on risk appetite at an accelerating rate.&quot; <h2 style="line-height: 2;">Key figures at around 0700 GMT&nbsp;</h2>West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 0.2% at $95.50 a barrel Brent North Sea Crude: UP 0.1% at $100.56 Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 1.2% at 53,819.61 (close) Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.9% at 25,477.39 Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.8% at 4,095.45 (close) Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1500 from $1.1514 on Thursday Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3321 from $1.3346 Dollar/yen: DOWN at 159.35 yen from 159.39 yen Euro/pound: UP at 86.29&nbsp;pence from 86.27 pence New York - Dow:&nbsp;DOWN 1.6% at 46,677.85 (close) London - FTSE 100: DOWN 0.5% at 10,305.15 (close)

Business

Brent is up around 40% since the US-Israeli war on Iran began on Feb. 28; IEA said Thursday that the war ‘is creating the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market.’

Oil holds above $100, stocks fall as war enters day 14

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed has been signed by an Indian-owned franchise during the player auction for England&rsquo;s The Hundred tournament, a move that has triggered criticism and debate among cricket fans across India.&nbsp;Sunrisers Leeds, a team owned by Sun Group, which also owns Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League (IPL), secured the Pakistani spinner for $255,00 (&pound;190,000) during the auction held in London.&nbsp;The team&rsquo;s head coach, Daniel Vettori explained that the decision saying, &ldquo;We just planned for everyone who was at the auction, there wasn&rsquo;t a discussion about no Pakistan players.&rdquo; He added, &ldquo;It was simply about who was the best option available.&rdquo;&nbsp;The signing makes Abrar Ahmed the first Pakistani cricketer to be picked by a franchise owned by Indian investors in The Hundred tournament, despite long-standing tensions between the two rivals, with no Pakistani players participating in the IPL since 2009.&nbsp;The development has drawn sharp reactions from Indian fans on social media, with most criticizing the decision and the franchise owners.&nbsp;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; 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visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 720px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="2032148313701781576"></iframe></div></div> Abrar Ahmed has represented Pakistan in Twenty20 internationals since making his debut in 2024 and has taken more than 50 wickets in the format.&nbsp;His selection also appears to counter earlier reports suggesting that teams in The Hundred with links to the IPL might avoid signing Pakistani players due to political sensitivities.&nbsp;The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had earlier reminded franchises that players must not be excluded from the competition on the basis of nationality.&nbsp;The bidding during the auction was conducted by Sunrisers chief executive Kavya Maran, who represented the franchise during the player selection process, according to Indian media reports.&nbsp;Meanwhile, mystery spinner Usman Tariq, was also picked during the auction after Birmingham Phoenix signed him for &pound;140,000, although that franchise has no ownership links to the IPL, according to international media reports.&nbsp;The Hundred tournament, which features a unique 100-ball format, is scheduled to run from July 21 to August 16 this year.

Cricket

Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed is signed by Indian-owned Sunrisers Leeds in The Hundred auction, becoming the first Pakistani player picked by an IPL-linked franchise in the tournament, prompting backlash and criticism from Indian fans.

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