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PSX plunges as KSE-100 index drops over 6,000 points

PSX plunges

Karachi: The Pakistan Stock Exchange witnessed a sharp bearish trend at the start of the trading week, with heavy losses recorded throughout the session.

Trading opened on a negative note, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index falling nearly 3% during intraday activity. The index shed around 4,861 points in early trading, reflecting strong selling pressure in the market.

After 1:00 PM, the index hovered around 162,329 points before slipping further to 161,638 points as the downward trend intensified.

By the close of trading, the KSE-100 Index had plunged by 6,600 points, settling at 160,591, marking a significant decline on the first day of the business week.

PM directs continuous monitoring of oil consumption amid regional tensions

PM directs

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to ensure continuous monitoring of oil consumption in the country in view of rising regional tensions.

The directive was issued during a high-level meeting chaired by the prime minister to review petroleum reserves and supply. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal Cheema, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and senior officials.

During the briefing, the prime minister was informed that the country currently has sufficient petroleum reserves and that arrangements have already been made to meet future demand. Officials also stressed the need to maintain austerity measures to ensure efficient use of resources.

Shehbaz Sharif noted that consistent monitoring of oil consumption and reserves has helped avert any crisis so far, adding that government efforts to provide relief to the public will continue.

Miss Universe Pakistan to represent country at Cannes Film Festival 2025c

Miss Universe

Karachi: Roma Riaz, who was crowned Miss Universe Pakistan in 2025, is set to attend the prestigious Cannes Film Festival this year.

Belonging to Pakistan’s Christian community and a Punjabi family background, Roma Riaz confirmed in a conversation with Geo Digital that she will walk the red carpet at the global event and also host the Expedition Gala. She expressed pride in representing Pakistan on such an international platform.

She follows in the footsteps of Erica Robin, who became the first Miss Universe Pakistan to debut at the Cannes Film Festival in 2024, where she attended the premiere of The Substance.

Roma Riaz is expected to showcase outfits by various designers during her appearance at the festival, although she has not yet revealed details about her wardrobe.

The 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival will take place in France from May 12 to May 23, featuring selected films from around the world.

Peshawar Zalmi beat Multan Sultans by 24 runs, move top of PSL 11 table

Peshawar Zalmi

KARACHI:  Peshawar Zalmi secured a comfortable 24-run victory over Multan Sultans in Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 11, registering their fifth win of the tournament.

After being put in to bat, Peshawar Zalmi posted an impressive 196 for 6 in their allotted 20 overs. Kusal Mendis led the charge with a brilliant 68, while Mohammad Haris contributed a quickfire 38. Babar Azam scored 18, Saim Ayub added 30, and Michael Bracewell chipped in with 14 runs.

For Multan Sultans, Mohammad Ismail and Peter Siddle took two wickets each.

Chasing 197, Multan Sultans were restricted to 172 for 8 in their 20 overs. Shan Masood top-scored with 35, while Josh Philippe made 32.

Zalmi’s bowling attack was led by Sufiyan Muqeem, who picked up three wickets, while Iftikhar Ahmed and Nahid Rana claimed two wickets each.

With this win, Peshawar Zalmi moved to the top of the points table with 11 points from six matches, including one no-result, while Multan Sultans remain second with 8 points.

US Central Command begins mine clearance operations in Strait of Hormuz

US Central Command

Washington: The United States Central Command has launched operations to remove naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, aiming to ensure the safety of a key global shipping route.

US Admiral Brad Cooper stated that the USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. and USS Michael Murphy have successfully transited the strait, with two missile-equipped destroyers deployed in the region.

He emphasized that the United States is committed to keeping the waterway secure and has accelerated measures to ensure that this vital corridor for global trade remains open and safe.

CENTCOM further said that details of the secured route will soon be shared with the maritime industry to facilitate safe navigation and restore confidence in shipping operations.

Babar Azam becomes first player to reach 4,000 PSL runs

Babar Azam

KARACHI: Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam has created history in the Pakistan Super League by becoming the first player to score 4,000 runs in the tournament.

The milestone was achieved during a PSL 11 match against Lahore Qalandars, where the Peshawar Zalmi captain reached the landmark, further cementing his status as one of the league’s most consistent performers.

Babar has represented Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, and Peshawar Zalmi during his PSL career. He has played 105 matches so far, registering 2 centuries and 37 half-centuries.

In addition to this achievement, Babar Azam has also equaled the record for most century partnerships in T20 cricket, reaching 46 such stands in his career.

He now shares the record with Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle. Notably, Babar achieved this milestone in just 339 innings, compared to Gayle’s 455 and Kohli’s 400 innings, highlighting his remarkable consistency and efficiency in the shortest format.

US–Iran talks in Islamabad likely to continue on Sunday: reports

US–Iran talks

Islamabad: Ongoing negotiations between United States and Iran in Islamabad are expected to continue tonight and possibly into Sunday, according to media reports.

Citing Pakistani sources, CNN reported that discussions between the two sides may extend beyond the initially planned schedule.

Pakistan is playing a key mediatory role in facilitating the talks, providing a platform for dialogue between the two countries.

Meanwhile, Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said that tensions between the US and Iran span over 47 years, and such complex issues cannot be resolved in just a few hours of meetings.

He noted that both sides are in continuous contact with their respective leaderships and will consult before finalizing any agreements.

Tarar added that while the talks were initially expected to conclude in a day, the positive momentum could lead to an extension of negotiations into the following day.

Second marriage makes life difficult for men too, says actor Ali Tahir

Second marriage

Karachi: Senior Pakistani actor Ali Tahir has said that second marriage is not an easy decision and can make life equally difficult for men.

Speaking during a morning show on a private TV channel, Ali Tahir discussed the sensitive topic of second marriage, highlighting that people often overlook fundamental teachings of religion.

He explained that while Islam permits up to four marriages, it is conditional upon maintaining equality among spouses something he noted is extremely difficult in practice and clearly emphasized in Islamic teachings.

The actor described second marriage as a delicate matter, stating that it can only work if there is mutual understanding and consent among all parties involved. Otherwise, he suggested that separation may sometimes be a better option.

Ali Tahir further added that entering into a second marriage brings its own set of challenges, stressing that it is not easy for men either and requires serious consideration before making such a decision.

PM Shehbaz meets US Vice President JD Vance, discusses regional peace

PM Shehbaz

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with US Vice President JD Vance, during which both sides discussed bilateral relations and key regional issues.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the meeting was also attended by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner from the US side, while Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi accompanied the prime minister.

Discussions focused on regional peace, stability, and prospects for enhanced cooperation between the two countries. Both sides agreed to work together for promoting peace and stability in the region.

During the meeting, the prime minister reaffirmed that Pakistan will continue its efforts to achieve lasting peace in the region.

The White House also confirmed the meeting, highlighting its significance in the context of ongoing diplomatic engagements.

The prime minister appreciated the constructive participation of US and Iranian delegations in the Islamabad talks, expressing hope that the negotiations would prove to be a key step toward sustainable and lasting peace.

He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to facilitating dialogue, stating that continued engagement would help build trust and cooperation between the parties involved.