New York: The United States on Friday marked the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, with a major remembrance ceremony held at the National September 11 Memorial in New York.

The anniversary gathering at Ground Zero brought together victims’ families, senior political figures and former US presidents. The event was also surrounded by political controversy following President Donald Trump’s decision not to attend the New York ceremony and criticism over the participation of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Former US Presidents Attend Ground Zero Ceremony

The memorial ceremony began shortly after 8:40am local time and was designed as a non-political event without speeches.

Vice President JD Vance attended alongside former presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

Family members of those who died in the attacks read the names of the victims, while bells were sounded at key moments to commemorate the events of that day.

Trump Pays Tribute at Pentagon

President Donald Trump chose to commemorate the anniversary at the Pentagon rather than joining the ceremony in New York.

The 9/11 attacks involved four hijacked passenger aircraft. Two struck the World Trade Centre in New York, one hit the Pentagon, while the fourth crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers attempted to regain control of the aircraft.

A total of 2,977 people were killed in the attacks.

Controversy Over New York’s Muslim Mayor

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the city’s first Muslim mayor, attended the Ground Zero ceremony despite a campaign calling for him to stay away.

The campaign received support from conservative figures and media outlets, while a petition reportedly collected more than 100,000 signatures.

Critics questioned Mamdani’s associations and views, while supporters argued that his attendance should not be judged on the basis of his religion.

City Council member Shahana Hanif said it was concerning that the mayor was being treated differently because he is Muslim.

9/11 Health Impact Continues

The legacy of the attacks has extended far beyond the deaths recorded on September 11, 2001.

The collapse of the World Trade Centre created a massive dust cloud, followed by months of pollution and hazardous air conditions in Lower Manhattan. Thousands of people have since developed serious illnesses linked to exposure.

According to the federal programme established to support affected individuals, more than 9,400 people have died from 9/11-related illnesses.

New York Remembers Those Lost

The anniversary also highlighted how the events are being remembered by younger generations.

Millions of Americans were born after the attacks or were too young to understand what happened at the time. Families of victims continue to share their experiences to ensure the events are not forgotten.

The memorial site saw large crowds, with visitors leaving flowers and flags in honour of those who lost their lives.

Tight Security Around Memorial Site

Authorities implemented extensive security measures around the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in Lower Manhattan.

The US Secret Service established a security perimeter because of the presence of senior political figures. New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch also confirmed that an anti-drone team would be deployed as a precaution.

Officials stressed that there was no specific intelligence indicating a threat to the anniversary ceremony.

The 25th anniversary served as a reminder of the lasting human impact of the September 11 attacks and the importance of preserving the memories of those who lost their lives.

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Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail

Birmingham: Pakistan showed signs of resistance on the third day of the third Test against England at Edgbaston, with captain Shan Masood and Azan Awais scoring half-centuries to delay England’s push for another comprehensive victory.

Pakistan reached 184 for 3 at lunch on Friday, still 136 runs behind England’s first-innings total, as the visitors looked to avoid a 3-0 series whitewash.

Shan Masood Leads Pakistan’s Fightback

Pakistan had been in serious trouble after losing two wickets without scoring on Thursday. However, Shan Masood and Azan Awais steadied the innings with a valuable 125-run partnership for the third wicket.

Masood remained unbeaten on 83 at lunch, anchoring the innings and giving Pakistan hope of extending the match into a fourth day.

Azan Awais Scores 59

Azan Awais played a confident innings of 59 runs before being dismissed by spinner Dan Lawrence.

He appeared to have survived when the umpire initially ruled him not out after a catch down the leg side. England reviewed the decision, however, and the call was overturned, with stand-in wicketkeeper Jordan Cox completing the dismissal.

Babar Azam Joins Shan Masood

Pakistan captain Babar Azam came to the crease after Azan’s departure and looked comfortable against the England attack.

Babar was unbeaten on 26 at lunch, with Pakistan hoping the pair could build a substantial partnership and reduce England’s advantage.

England Hold a Huge First-Innings Lead

England had earlier bowled Pakistan out for just 133 runs on the opening day before producing an aggressive batting display to reach 453 all out.

The hosts therefore secured a commanding 320-run first-innings lead, putting themselves in a strong position to complete a series clean sweep.

England Dominates the Test Series

England have already won the first two matches of the three-Test series convincingly.

The hosts secured an innings-and-103-run victory in the opening Test, followed by a 194-run win in the second match.

Pakistan are now fighting to avoid a third consecutive defeat and prevent England from completing a 3-0 series whitewash.

Difficult Tour Continues for Pakistan

The Test series has been particularly challenging for Pakistan, who have struggled for consistency throughout the tour.

Following the second Test defeat, Pakistan released seven players and removed head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and assistant coach Umar Gul. The team also made four changes to its playing XI for the final Test at Edgbaston.

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Gilgit: The Gilgit-Baltistan Wildlife and Parks Department has auctioned hunting permits for 117 trophy animals for the 2026-27 trophy hunting season, with an Astore markhor permit fetching the highest bid of $356,000.

The auction was held on Thursday at the Forest, Parks and Wildlife Complex in Gilgit and attracted a large number of outfitters and hunters.

Astore Markhor Permit Fetches $356,000

Three Astore markhor permits were auctioned during the bidding process.

The first permit received the highest bid of $356,000, while the second was sold for $301,000. The third permit fetched $294,000.

The department also has one additional Astore markhor permit carried forward from the previous hunting season.

Permits Issued for 14 Blue Sheep and 100 Ibexes

The department auctioned permits covering:

• 3 Astore markhors
• 14 blue sheep
• 100 Himalayan ibexes

According to Chief Conservator of Parks and Wildlife Zakir Hussain, the highest exportable blue sheep permit was sold for $31,200.

The lowest bid for a blue sheep permit stood at $25,100.

Himalayan Ibex Permits Also Attract Bids

Himalayan ibex permits also generated significant interest during the auction.

Zakir Hussain said the highest exportable Himalayan ibex permit in the prime category fetched $13,200, while the lowest bid was recorded at $11,500.

The auction brought together hunters and outfitters interested in participating in the upcoming trophy hunting season.

GB Expects Rs. 650 Million Revenue

Wildlife officials expect the trophy hunting programme to generate approximately Rs. 650 million during the 2026-27 season.

The hunting season is scheduled to run from October 15, 2026, to April 10, 2027.

The revenue generated through the programme is expected to contribute to wildlife and conservation-related activities in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Trophy Hunting Season to Begin in October

The auction marks an important step ahead of the new trophy hunting season in the region.

The Wildlife and Parks Department conducted the bidding process for the designated species and categories, with permits allocated through competitive bidding.

The programme continues to attract international and local interest due to the region’s diverse wildlife and mountainous terrain.

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Islamabad: Investments through Pakistan’s Roshan Digital Accounts (RDAs) have reached approximately $13.9 billion, bringing the programme closer to the $14 billion milestone, according to the latest data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

The scheme recorded strong growth in monthly inflows during August 2026, with overseas Pakistanis and other eligible investors continuing to use the accounts for investment and financial transactions.

RDA Inflows Rise 58% Year-on-Year

RDA inflows reached $259 million in August 2026, representing an increase of 58% year-on-year compared with $164 million recorded during August 2025.

However, monthly inflows declined by around 8% compared with July 2026, when the accounts received approximately $282 million.

The total number of Roshan Digital Accounts has now crossed 966,144.

Cumulative Investment Reaches $13.906 Billion

Since the launch of the Roshan Digital Account programme, cumulative funds received through the scheme have reached approximately $13.906 billion.

According to SBP data, around $2.130 billion of the funds received has been repatriated, while approximately $8.767 billion has been utilized within Pakistan.

The resulting net repatriable liability stood at approximately $3.009 billion.

Breakdown of RDA Investments

The latest figures show the distribution of funds across different investment and liability categories:

Roshan Digital Accounts Continue to Expand

The latest figures indicate continued activity through the Roshan Digital Account initiative, which was introduced to facilitate overseas Pakistanis in sending money to the country and accessing investment opportunities.

With cumulative inflows now standing at nearly $14 billion, the programme continues to represent an important channel for attracting foreign funds and encouraging investment in Pakistan.

If the current pace of inflows continues, total RDA investments could cross the $14 billion mark in the coming months.

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Islamabad: Pakistan has reported its fourth polio case of 2026, with the latest infection confirmed in Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to the National Emergency Operations Centre for Polio Eradication (NEOC).

The government-led Polio Eradication Initiative has urged parents and caregivers to ensure that children receive polio vaccinations during the upcoming nationwide campaign scheduled for September 21 to 27.

New Case Reported From Bannu

The affected child belongs to Nurar Union Council in Miryan tehsil of Bannu.

According to the polio programme, vaccination teams have faced difficulties reaching children in the area consistently since 2025 because of security-related challenges.

Officials said the situation has contributed to continued circulation of wild poliovirus in parts of southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Three Cases Reported From Southern KP

Of Pakistan’s four reported polio cases this year, three have been detected in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The polio programme said that although overall poliovirus transmission in Pakistan has declined compared with previous years, the virus continues to circulate in southern KP.

Authorities have emphasized the need for continued vaccination and disease surveillance, particularly in areas where security conditions make access difficult.

Polio Cases Have Declined Significantly

According to the Polio Eradication Initiative, Pakistan has reduced polio cases by 99.8% compared with estimated levels in the early 1990s.

The programme said the country recorded an estimated 20,000 polio cases in the early 1990s, compared with 31 cases reported during 2025.

Officials stressed that continued vaccination remains essential to prevent the virus from spreading and protect children from permanent disability.

Four Cases Reported Across Pakistan in 2026

The first polio case of 2026 was reported from Sujawal district in Sindh, involving a four-year-old child from Bello Union Council.

The other two cases before the latest Bannu case were reported from Bannu and North Waziristan.

The concentration of cases in southern KP remains a concern for health authorities, particularly in communities where vaccination teams face access and security challenges.

Next Polio Campaign to Target 31 Million Children

Pakistan has already conducted three nationwide polio vaccination campaigns during 2026.

The next campaign will run from September 21 to 27 and aims to vaccinate nearly 31 million children, including children living in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Health authorities have called on families to cooperate with vaccination teams and ensure that eligible children receive polio drops during every campaign.

Vaccination Remains Key to Polio Prevention

Polio is a highly contagious disease that has no cure and can cause lifelong paralysis or, in severe cases, death.

However, vaccination can effectively prevent the disease. The polio programme stressed that every child needs to be protected because continued transmission can put unvaccinated children at risk.

Authorities said maintaining strong surveillance and consistent vaccination coverage across the country is essential to completely eliminate poliovirus from Pakistan.

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Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail

Saltillo, Mexico: Indian archer Dhiraj Bommadevara will be the country’s only representative at the Archery World Cup Final 2026, which gets underway in Saltillo, Mexico, on Saturday.

The season-ending competition brings together 32 of the world’s leading archers, who will compete for titles in the individual men’s and women’s recurve and compound categories.

Dhiraj Bommadevara Earns Place in World Cup Final

Bommadevara secured his place in the prestigious final after winning the men’s individual recurve gold medal at Stage 3 in Antalya.

The Indian archer also partnered with Asian Games-bound Kumkum Anil Mohod to win the mixed team gold medal at the same event.

Bommadevara will now look to finish India’s international archery season on a high against the world’s best competitors.

India Wins Seven Medals in 2026 World Cup Stages

India enjoyed a strong campaign across the four Archery World Cup stages held in Puebla, Shanghai, Antalya and Madrid.

Indian archers collected seven medals, including four gold, one silver and two bronze medals.

Bommadevara was the country’s only archer to win an individual gold medal during the four-stage World Cup series.

India’s other gold medals came from the women’s recurve team featuring Ankita Bhakat, Deepika Kumari and Kumkum Mohod, while Madhura Dhamangaonkar, Pragati and Jyothi Surekha Vennam won gold in the women’s compound team event.

Deepika Kumari Misses Out on Final

Despite India’s overall success during the season, several leading Indian archers failed to qualify for the World Cup Final.

No Indian recurve archer in either the men’s or women’s category, including four-time Olympian Deepika Kumari, made the final field.

India’s women’s compound archers also failed to secure qualification for the season-ending competition.

The qualification process included the individual winners from the four World Cup stages, along with the highest-ranked archers in the season standings.

32 Archers to Compete for Four Titles

The Archery World Cup Final will feature eight archers in each of the four individual categories.

The competitions will determine champions in:

• Men’s recurve
• Women’s recurve
• Men’s compound
• Women’s compound

India’s most recent medal at the World Cup Final came in Shanghai last year, where Jyothi Surekha Vennam won silver in the women’s compound event.

Where to Watch Archery World Cup Final 2026 in India

Fans in India can watch the Archery World Cup Final 2026 through Archery+, which will provide live streaming of the event.

The competition is not scheduled for live television broadcast in India.

Archery World Cup Final 2026 Schedule

All timings are in Indian Standard Time (IST).

Saturday, September 12

• Men’s compound quarter-finals — 9:35 PM
• Men’s compound semi-finals — 10:35 PM
• Men’s compound bronze medal match — 11:05 PM
• Men’s compound final — 11:19 PM

Sunday, September 13

• Women’s compound quarter-finals — 1:35 AM
• Women’s compound semi-finals — 2:35 AM
• Women’s compound bronze medal match — 3:05 AM
• Women’s compound final — 3:19 AM
• Men’s recurve quarter-finals — 9:35 PM
• Men’s recurve semi-finals — 10:27 PM
• Men’s recurve bronze medal match — 10:53 PM
• Men’s recurve final — 11:05 PM

Monday, September 14

• Women’s recurve quarter-finals — 1:35 AM
• Women’s recurve semi-finals — 2:27 AM
• Women’s recurve bronze medal match — 2:53 AM
• Women’s recurve final — 3:05 AM

With Bommadevara as India’s lone representative, the focus will be on whether the Asian Games-bound archer can add another major international achievement to his 2026 campaign.

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Dhaka: Bangladesh is planning to expand its liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure by developing two new import terminals by 2030 to meet growing demand for the fuel.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit said on Friday that the country plans to commission a new floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) by 2028. A separate land-based LNG import terminal is also planned at Matarbari by 2030.

New Floating LNG Terminal to Add 600 mmcfd Capacity

The proposed floating LNG facility will be located near Moheshkhali Island in Cox’s Bazar district.

According to the minister, the terminal will have an estimated regasification capacity of around 600 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd).

Bangladesh currently operates two floating LNG import terminals with a combined regasification capacity of approximately 1,100 mmcfd.

Matarbari Terminal Planned for 2030

The government is also preparing to establish a land-based LNG import terminal at Matarbari.

The facility is expected to have a regasification capacity of around 1,000 mmcfd, significantly increasing the country’s ability to process imported LNG.

The expansion is being planned in anticipation of rising natural gas demand over the coming decades.

LNG Demand Expected to Rise Sharply

Amit said Bangladesh will require an additional 3 to 4 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG between 2026 and 2030.

The projected requirement is expected to increase substantially during the following decade, with additional LNG demand estimated at around 17 to 18 mtpa between 2031 and 2040.

The government is therefore seeking to strengthen import and regasification infrastructure to prepare for future energy requirements.

Bangladesh Imported Nearly 7 Million Tonnes of LNG

Bangladesh imported nearly 7 million tonnes of LNG in 2025, with Qatar supplying the largest share of the country’s imports, according to data from analytics firm Kpler.

However, LNG supplies have faced disruptions this year following damage to Qatar’s LNG facilities amid the US-Iran conflict.

As a result, Bangladesh has increasingly relied on spot-market LNG purchases to maintain supplies.

Qatar Cuts Scheduled LNG Deliveries

In July, QatarEnergy reduced its scheduled LNG deliveries to Bangladesh for the year by half.

Petrobangla Acting Chairman Abdul Mannan previously said that the impact of the conflict had affected LNG shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.

Bangladesh’s state-owned energy company has consequently been exploring alternative supply arrangements, including additional spot-market purchases and government-to-government agreements with other LNG producers.

Bangladesh Turns to Other Energy Sources

Bangladesh has also adjusted its power generation strategy amid higher LNG prices and supply challenges.

In March, when Asian spot LNG prices rose to three-year highs and nearly doubled, the country reportedly increased coal-based power generation as well as electricity imports from coal-fired power plants.

The planned LNG terminals are expected to give Bangladesh greater flexibility in securing gas supplies and supporting its energy needs as demand continues to grow.

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Peshawar: Pakistani airline AirSial has announced a new international flight route connecting Peshawar with Jeddah, expanding its network of direct services between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

The airline will begin operating three weekly flights from Peshawar to Jeddah from November 17, 2026.

New Direct Travel Option for Passengers

The new service will provide passengers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with another direct travel option to Saudi Arabia.

The Peshawar-Jeddah route is expected to make international travel more convenient for passengers who previously had to consider other cities or connecting flights.

AirSial Expands International Network

AirSial currently operates international flights connecting major Pakistani cities with destinations including Jeddah, Madinah, Dammam and Muscat.

With the addition of the Peshawar-Jeddah service, the airline will further strengthen its international network and increase connectivity between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

Flights to Start From November 17

According to the airline’s announcement, the new route will commence operations on November 17, 2026, with three flights scheduled every week.

The service will offer passengers from Peshawar and surrounding areas a new option for direct travel to Jeddah.

Tickets Available Through AirSial

AirSial has encouraged passengers planning to travel on the new route to book their tickets in advance.

Flight schedules, booking details and other information regarding the airline’s international services are available through its official website.

The launch of the new route is expected to provide additional air connectivity for passengers travelling between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Saudi Arabia.

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Islamabad: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has presented a package of 23 economic measures aimed at creating fiscal space of up to Rs. 3.102 trillion annually without increasing the petroleum levy on consumers.

The proposals focus on reducing government expenditure, restructuring the energy sector, improving tax collection and cutting unnecessary financial burdens.

JI Seeks Changes to Petroleum Pricing

The party has proposed reforms to the import parity pricing mechanism for locally produced petroleum products.

According to JI estimates, the measure could result in annual savings of up to Rs. 120 billion.

The party has also suggested importing crude oil instead of finished petroleum products and increasing domestic refining capacity. It estimates that these steps could generate additional savings of around Rs. 185 billion per year.

JI has further called for an independent audit of refinery upgrade fees and other charges, arguing that consumers should not bear additional costs related to refinery modernization.

Government Spending Cuts Proposed

JI has recommended reducing federal government expenditure by eliminating unnecessary spending and shifting certain responsibilities to provincial governments.

The party estimates that these measures could create annual savings of up to Rs. 949 billion.

It has also proposed reducing the federal Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) from Rs. 1 trillion to Rs. 800 billion.

The party wants overlapping federal and provincial development projects to be removed to prevent duplication of spending.

Monetary and Debt-Related Reforms

For reducing financial costs, JI has proposed increasing the State Bank of Pakistan’s cash reserve requirement to 15%.

The party estimates that this measure could result in annual savings of approximately Rs. 448 billion.

It has also recommended reducing the policy rate from 11.5% to 9%, claiming that the move could lower interest-related government expenditure by around Rs. 100 billion annually.

Reforms Proposed for Power Sector

JI has called for an audit of the remaining agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs).

The party has proposed renegotiating costly contractual terms where possible and estimates that reforms in this area could generate annual savings of up to Rs. 400 billion.

According to JI, reducing unnecessary costs in the electricity sector could provide additional fiscal space and ease pressure on consumers.

JI Calls for Closing Tax Gap

The party has also focused on improving tax collection rather than increasing the burden on existing taxpayers.

JI estimates that closing the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) tax gap could generate up to Rs. 3.4 trillion in additional revenue.

It has also proposed withdrawing most tax exemptions, while retaining exemptions related to essential areas such as food, health, education and defense.

According to the party, this could increase annual government revenue by approximately Rs. 250 billion to Rs. 350 billion.

World Bank Reforms Also Highlighted

JI has referred to reforms identified by the World Bank that it says could generate federal savings of up to Rs. 1.1 trillion annually.

The party has also called for reductions in non-development expenditure and spending on luxury items as part of a broader effort to improve fiscal management.

Focus on Avoiding Higher Petroleum Levy

The central point of JI’s proposal is that the government should create additional fiscal space through expenditure cuts, energy-sector reforms and stronger tax collection.

The party argues that these measures could help the government manage its finances without imposing an additional petroleum levy on consumers, potentially reducing pressure on fuel prices.

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Karachi: The Sindh government has decided to seek approval from the provincial cabinet for establishing a new logistics park and procuring 500 electric buses as part of its plans to modernize transportation across the province.

The decision was made during a meeting of the Sindh Mass Transit Authority Board chaired by Provincial Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit Sharjeel Inam Memon.

Plans to Expand Modern Public Transport

The meeting reviewed several initiatives aimed at expanding the province’s mass transit network and promoting cleaner and more efficient modes of public transportation.

Officials and board members discussed the proposed logistics park, procurement of electric buses and other measures to strengthen Sindh’s transport infrastructure.

It was decided that all necessary technical and administrative preparations for both projects would be completed before the proposals are presented to the Sindh Cabinet for approval.

Logistics Park Expected to Ease Karachi Traffic

Sharjeel Inam Memon said the proposed logistics park would be an important development for Karachi’s transportation and logistics sector.

According to the minister, the project could help reduce pressure caused by heavy traffic and improve the movement of goods in and around the city.

He added that the logistics initiative would support the development of Sindh’s transportation and logistics infrastructure according to modern requirements.

Sindh to Procure 500 Electric Buses

The provincial government is also preparing to purchase 500 electric buses to expand environmentally friendly public transport services.

The move is part of Sindh’s broader efforts to introduce modern transportation options while reducing dependence on conventional fuel-powered vehicles.

The minister directed the relevant departments and authorities to complete the required technical and administrative procedures as soon as possible.

Government Prioritizes Public Transport Expansion

Sharjeel Memon reiterated that expanding the modern public transportation network remains a key priority for the Sindh government.

The proposed logistics park and electric bus project are expected to form part of the province’s wider strategy to improve urban mobility and develop a more modern and environmentally sustainable transport system.

The projects will move toward implementation after completion of the required formalities and approval from the Sindh Cabinet.

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