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Alarm bells over water levels rising in Chenab, Jhelum


ISLAMABAD: Both River Chenab and its local tributaries (Nullahs) are expected to flow in medium to high flood during the next 24 hours, Federal Flood Commission (FFC) noted in its daily report on Wednesday. It has also issued warnings with regard to River Jehlum, which might also flow in high to very high flood at Mangla.

However, all other main rivers, which included Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej, were found to be flowing normally, with the exception of River Indus---running in low flood at Kalabagh. The report also added that Tarbela and Mangla reservoirs stood at the elevations of 1515.24 feet and 1230.70 feet respectively, which are 34.76 feet and 11.30 feet below their respective Maximum Conservation Levels of 1550.00 feet and 1242.00 feet. When compared to last year, the total capacity of Tarbela, Chashma and Mangla reservoirs had also gone down from 12.901 MAF to 11.094 MAF.

The Lahore Division of FFC also said that the trough of a westerly wave observed over Northeastern Iran on Tuesday currently lies over the northern parts of Afghanistan. However, a seasonal low still prevails over Northern Balochistan and strong moist currents from the Arabian Sea are now found to have penetrated upto 7000 feet into the upper parts of the country. The Division has also forecasted a widespread thunderstorm and heavy rain at scattered places in the upper catchments of rivers Chenab, Jhelum, Ravi and Sutlej including areas in Northern and Northeastern Punjab (Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Gujranwala and Lahore Divisions) as well as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the next 24 hours.
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Box Office: 'Star Trek Beyond' racks up solid $59.6 million, 'Lights Out' scores


Star Trek Beyond debuted to a solid $59.6 million this weekend, signaling that after six television series, 13 movies and 50 years in the pop culture conversation, there’s still life left in one of Hollywood’s most durable franchises.

And there are more intergalactic missions to come. As boon to Trekkies, Paramount took the unusual step of announcing yet another sequel was in the works even before this latest USS Enterprise adventure sailed into theaters. The studio has lined up Chris Hemsworth to reprise his role as Capt. Kirk’s father despite the fact that he was incinerated in a spaceship disaster in a previous film. In science-fiction, it seems, death is merely a temporary predicament.

“You can count on one hand the brands that have this kind of longevity and viability over time,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at comScore. “These characters are so clearly defined and people just respond to their sense of camaraderie.”

The latest chapter in the Star Trek saga performed respectably, but its opening is down from the two previous films in the series. Star Trek Beyond couldn’t match the $70.2 million launch of 2013’s Star Trek Into Darkness nor could it top the $75.2 million bow of 2009’s Star Trek. Moreover, with a price tag of $185 million, plus tens of millions in promotional spending, the film needs to perform well overseas if it’s going to make a profit.
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Traders want early completion of CPEC-related projects


ISLAMABAD: The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has said that the business community wanted early completion of the projects related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), so that Pakistan could enjoy the fruits of massive Chinese investment. "Chinese investment of $34 billion in Pakistan's energy sector will end load shedding forever besides turning the wheel of economy," said FPCCI President Abdul Rauf Alam on Sunday, adding that the business community of Pakistan was poised to offer all out cooperation to the Chinese companies involved in the CPEC projects. He said the FPCCI would play its role in creating synergies between Chinese and local companies for which all the chambers of commerce would be taken on board. The FPCCI president said that CPEC was a great opportunity for Pakistan, which should be fully utilised as it was meant to provide economic advantage, a land route to China and integration with different nations. 
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Traders played vibrant role for strengthening national economy: SCCI


SIALKOT: Mansoor Ahmed, President, Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) said on Sunday the SCCI had focused its special attention on enhancing export volume.
Talking to media sources, he said that strengthening of national economy had become a significant imperative at this juncture and business community of Sialkot was ready to play its vibrant role with missionary zeal in this regard.
In this regard, special attention is being paid to strengthen the SME sector, he added.
Sialkot is an export-oriented city as well as a hub of cottage industry, which represents SME sector. The traders are playing a significant role in not only providing employment opportunities but also strengthening the national exchequer, he added.
"We are actively considering to arrange foreign tours for SMEs with the active cooperation of Commerce Ministry and Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP)," he noted.
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FBR plans evolving new system to facilitate taxpayers


RAWALPINDI: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Nisar Muhammad Khan has said that the concerns of taxpayers and tax law partitions would be resolved by keeping in view the difficulties of filers as well as practitioners.
While addressing a seminar organised by the Pakistan Tax Bar Association (PTBA) during Summer Camp 2016 at Murree, which was conducted PTBA Secretary General Abdul Qadoos Mughal, he said it was imperative to evolve a tax culture with an aim to enhance financial resources for socioeconomic development and welfare of the country.
Tax law professionals from all over the country and PTBA office-bearers participated in the proceedings of Summer Camp 2016 in which learned sessions were conducted by the national experts and eminent scholars.
The FBR chairman said that new taxation system would be evolved to improve the efficiency of FBR as well as to facilitate taxpayers. He also disclosed that research and marketing analyses cells would be established in FBR to resolve the issues in a proficient manner and streamlining the working procedure. 
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Yasir Shah suffers injury scare ahead of Old Trafford test


MANCHESTER: Pakistan leg-spinner Yasir Shah suffered a worrying injury scare on Wednesday when he was knocked to the floor in the practice nets by one of his own bowlers, Daily Express reported.

The 30-year-old, who was instrumental in Pakistan’s victory at Lord’s last week, was left on the ground struggling in pain for over a minute towards the end of his batting session in the nets, after being struck with the ball on his left shoulder.

Yasir was helped up by pacer Wahab Riaz and attended by Pakistan’s team doctor before returning to the dressing room, holding his left arm, in clear discomfort.

The team management insisted that the spinner would be fine and was not in doubt for the second Test starting on Friday. However, they will be hoping the injury does not stiffen up or further examination reveal damage to the bone.
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To defeat England at Lord’s is special: Misbah



MANCHESTER: Pakistan test captain Misbahul Haq said that beating England at the ‘Home of Cricket’ in the first Test was special. The Green Caps astonished the hosts in the opening Test to secure a 75-run victory on Friday, which was their first on the venue in 20 years.

Misbah, who was the only one to score a century in the match, and also became the fourth Pakistan captain after Imran Khan, Javed Miandad and Wasim Akram to secure victory at one of the most iconic venue of the cricket world, also described why the team did push ups after securing a historic victory. “To defeat England at Lord’s is special,” said Misbah in an interview. “For me as captain, this win at Lord’s is special in many ways, as it was after the spot-fixing scandal on this venue, after which I was appointed as the Test captain and we started rebuilding the team.
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Pakistan 198 all out in second Test against England


MANCHESTER: Pakistan were bowled out for 198 in reply to England's first innings 589 for eight declared, a huge deficit of 391 runs, on the third day of the second Test at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Despite the mammoth lead, England captain Alastair Cook decided against enforcing the follow-on. All-rounder Chris Woakes took four for 67, while Joe Root followed his first innings 254, his Test-best score, with four catches at second slip. Pakistan lead the four-match series 1-0 after their 75-run win in the first Test at Lord's last week.
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G20 will use 'all policy tools' to protect growth as Brexit looms


Chengdu Leaders from the world's biggest economies are poised on Sunday to renew their commitments to support global growth and better coordinate actions in the face of uncertainty over Britain's decision to leave the European Union and growing protectionism.

The meeting of finance ministers and central bankers from the Group of 20 major economies in China's southwestern city of Chengdu is the first of its kind since last month's Brexit vote and a debut for Britain's new finance minister. Philip Hammond faced questions about how quickly the UK planned to move ahead with formal negotiations to leave the EU.

"We are taking actions to foster confidence and support growth," a draft statement by the policymakers seen by Reuters said.

"In light of recent developments, we reiterate our determination to use all policy tools – monetary, fiscal and structural – individually and collectively to achieve our goal of strong, sustainable and balanced growth," it said.

The International Monetary Fund this week cut its global growth forecasts because of the Brexit vote.
Data on Friday seemed to bear out fears, with a British business activity index posting its biggest drop in its 20-year history.
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Ashraf Ghani stresses Pak-Afghan intensive efforts to sustain peace


ISLAMABAD: President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani said that Pakistan and Afghanistan were tied in deep historical bonds and both the countries should work together for regional peace and stability.

In an interview with Geo television channel aired on Saturday night, the Afghan president said Afghanistan was pursuing the policy of good neighbourly relations with Pakistan.

He said there was dire need for unity against terrorism to purge the region from this menace.
Ghani said Afghan forces were bravely fighting against terrorism in partnership with the international forces.

He said Afghan government was thankful to Pakistan for hosting millions of Afghan refugees; however, his government was keen to manage their return to their homeland.

Ghani said in order to ensure refugees return his government would have to improve the national economy up to 9 percent of growth rate.
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