KARACHI   –   The Student Advisor Office (SAO) of the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology (FUUAST) conducted interviews for various positions in student societies and student platforms, attracting enthusiastic participation from students. The interviews were held for the positions of President and Vice President of the FUUAST Science Society, FUUAST Literary and Debate Society, and FUUAST Arts and Culture Society, as well as for Student General, Student Magazine, and Student Media Channel positions. The interview panel comprised Dr. Saadia Khalil, Dr. Sajid Jahangir, Dr. Ubaid Karai, Haider Ali (Former President, Debate and Literary Society), and Sarfraz Ahmed (Afzal Memorial Organization). The panel thoroughly evaluated the candidates’ leadership abilities, communication skills, creative thinking, teamwork, and vision for promoting student activities. According to the Student Advisor Office, the initiative aims to promote leadership, responsibility, creativity, and a positive educational environment among students, enabling them to contribute effectively to the development of both the university and society.

KARACHI  –  Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has directed the food department and district administration to launch a strict crackdown on wheat hoarding and profiteering, warning that artificial shortages and market manipulation would not be tolerated as the province prepares for its wheat requirements for the remainder of the year.

Presiding over a high-level meeting at the CM to review wheat availability, stock positions and market trends, the chief minister said the government would take all necessary measures to ensure uninterrupted availability of wheat and flour at reasonable prices across Sindh. The meeting was attended by Provincial Ministers Makhdoom Mahboobzaman (Food), Mukesh Kumar Chawla (Excise & Taxation), Mohammad Bux Khan Mahar (Agriculture) and Jam Khan Shoro (Irrigation), Adviser Gianchand Esrani (Rehabilitation), Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Secretary to CM Asif Jameel, Agriculture Secretary Zaman Narejo, Food Secretary Ghulam Abbas Naich and other senior officials.

Minister Food Makhdoom Mahboob informed the CM that Sindh produced 4.8 million metric tonnes (MMT) of wheat during the 2025-26 crop season (which is a bumper crop), while the province’s annual consumption requirement stood at 6.53 MMT, indicating a structural shortfall.

According to the presentation, Sindh had a total wheat stock availability of 4.94 MMT, including carryover stocks. However, after accounting for consumption during April-June and wheat moved to other provinces, the province is projected to face a deficit of around 2.1 MMT by March 2027 if market supplies do not continue to flow. The Minister Food told the chief minister that the Food Department currently holds 0.2218 MMT of wheat stocks, including carryover reserves and fresh procurement.

The meeting was told that Pakistan had an estimated net wheat balance of 24.39 MMT, of which nearly 12.2 MMT was believed to be in the possession of farmers and households.

Officials noted that only a fraction of these stocks was currently visible in the market, with approximately 2.5 MMT in Punjab and 1 MMT in Sindh readily traceable, while nearly 9.5 MMT remained outside normal market channels. Expressing concern, Murad Shah said that hidden stocks could create unnecessary market pressure and encourage speculative trading. “The government will not allow hoarders and profiteers to exploit consumers through artificial shortages. Wheat is a strategic commodity, and its availability must be ensured at all costs,” the chief minister said.

The meeting reviewed wheat price trends across the country and was informed that wheat prices had risen sharply in recent months.

Current wheat prices per 40 kilograms were reported at Rs 4,150 – Rs 4,350 in Punjab, Rs 4,680 in Sindh, Rs 4,680 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Rs 4,600 in Balochistan: Rs4,600 Officials noted that wheat prices in Punjab had climbed from around Rs3,200 per 40 kg in early April to between Rs4,200 and Rs4,600, representing an increase of more than 30 to 40 per cent within a few months. The chief minister was also briefed that returns from holding wheat stocks had begun to exceed the returns available through National Savings instruments, creating incentives for speculative storage and hoarding. The meeting reviewed flour prices in major cities and was informed that average atta prices per kilogram were Rs135 in Karachi, Rs 131 Hyderabad, Rs124 in Sukkur, Rs 124 Larkana. An analysis was presented in the meeting showing that rising wheat prices were directly translating into higher flour and roti prices.

Murad Shah emphasised that the government’s priority was to protect consumers from unjustified price increases. “Any increase in wheat prices must not become an excuse for excessive profiteering. The administration must ensure that consumers receive flour at fair prices,” he said.

Reviewing proposals submitted by the Food Department, the chief minister directed authorities to immediately intensify enforcement under the Sindh Essential Commodities Price Control and Prevention of Profiteering and Hoarding Act, 2005.

He ordered district administrations to identify illegal stockpiles, inspect warehouses and take action against unlicensed wheat traders.

The meeting was informed that border monitoring had already been initiated to prevent the unauthorised movement of wheat outside the province.

Murad Shah directed the food department to strictly monitor wheat stocks across Sindh; enforce licensing requirements for wheat storage and trading; take legal action against hoarders and profiteers; strengthen border surveillance to curb unauthorised wheat movement; ensure regular market supplies to stabilise prices; and expedite proposals for fixing stock limits for flour mills.

The chief minister was informed that a summary proposing stock limits for flour mills had already been submitted for consideration by the Sindh Cabinet.

It was also proposed that wheat stocks seized from illegal hoarders be treated as government-procured wheat and shifted to official godowns. Under the proposal, the owners of seized stocks would be compensated at a rate of Rs3,500 per 40 kg.

Concluding the meeting, Murad Shah directed all concerned departments to maintain close coordination and submit regular reports on wheat stocks, prices and market conditions.

“Our objective is simple: wheat and flour must remain available, affordable and accessible to every citizen of Sindh. No one will be allowed to manipulate the market at the expense of the public,” the chief minister said.

The World Cup last-32 game between Mexico and Ecuador at the Estadio Azteca on Tuesday has been delayed by heavy rain, a message on the stadium scoreboard said.

“The match has been delayed,” said the message. The game was due to kick off at 0100 GMT but no new time was given.

It is the first time at the 2026 tournament co-hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada that the start of a game has been delayed due to the weather.

The group game between France and Iraq in Philadelphia on June 22 was interrupted at half-time for around two hours due to storms.

Thomas Tuchel said England should be expected to beat DR Congo in the World Cup last 32 on Wednesday, but is wary of facing a side that he believes has already overachieved to reach the knockout stages.

England are aiming to end a 60-year wait to win a major tournament, but have got off to an unconvincing start in the United States.

A 4-2 victory over Croatia was followed by a failure to break down Ghana in a 0-0 draw.

Goals from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane ensured there was not another slip up against Panama in a 2-0 win that secured top spot in Group L.

Tuchel has been hired to get an England side that lost in the final of the past two European Championship finals over the line and the former Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Chelsea boss was again bullish over his side’s chances.

“I feel it is a privilege to be in these situations. I think we can just accept it, we are the favourites (against DR Congo),” Tuchel said at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

“We play against our own expectations, we expect from us to go further than round of 32, that’s just how it is, so why would our fans not expect it? Why would the public opinion not be the same?” added the 52-year-old German.

Two European powerhouses are already out after Germany and the Netherlands were beaten on penalties in the last 32 by Paraguay and Morocco respectively.

Tuchel said those exits and narrow wins for Brazil and Canada in the last 32 show what to expect against a DR Congo side that pushed Portugal and Colombia during the group stage.

“We expect from us what we expect, but we respect the opponent, we know about their quality,” added Tuchel.

“The games so far in round of 32 speak a very clear language. It’s narrow, narrow margins. It makes me personally more calm than it makes me more nervous because that’s just what it is.”

James, Quansah out 

Tuchel confirmed that Reece James and Jarell Quansah will both miss Wednesday’s match due to injury, leaving the German open to criticism for not selecting more options at right-back.

England have so far been reliant on moments of magic from Kane and Bellingham, but Tuchel said he was not overly concerned about having to depend on the two standout players in his squad.

“It would be ideal (if others came to the fore), but honestly I have no problem if the two continue,” he added.

“That’s what key players do, and that’s what key players do in key moments.”

Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford could be another important figure if England are to progress with the possibility of penalties now looming in the knockout stages.

Pickford is into his fifth major tournament as England’s number one and is desperate to end the nation’s long wait since the 1966 World Cup for glory.

“It’s everyone’s dream, everyone’s goal in life (to win the World Cup),” said Pickford.

“I’m so proud as an English fan to put the shirt on and every time I put it on, I’m passionate.

“That’s our dream, but you’ve got chapters all along the way, first and foremost we’ve got Congo tomorrow and not looking beyond them.”