Lahore: Special Assistant to Prime Minister Allama Tahir Ashrafi said that Saudi Arabia is a good friend of Pakistan and it never interfered into its internal or political matters.

“Stop spreading such rumors,” said Allama Tahir Ashrafi indirectly addressing the claim of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Sher Afzal Marwat that Saudi Arabia was also behind the ouster of Imran Khan from the power.

The PM’s aide said that such statements were given to anger Saudi Arabia.

“Saudi Arabia has nothing to do with the motion to oust Imran Khan from the power. The arrival of Saudi delegation is a good thing,” said Allama Ashrafi.

He expressed these words while addressing a press conference in Lahore on Friday.

Allam Tahir Ashrafi who is also chairman of Pakistan Ulema Council and the Patron In-Chief Hajj Organizers Association of Pakistan (HOAP), also stated that Pakistan did not want aid, it wanted trade, pointing out that Saudi Arabia always supported Pakistan during the difficult times.

The PM’s aid also rejected the rumours about closure of the booking for Hajj.

“The process of booking for private Hajj is underway, and all facilities will be provided to the intending pilgrims,” he made it clear.

He said that there is no truth about the rumours regarding closure of booking for private Hajj. He stated that they are supporters of the establishment of an independent and autonomous Palestinian state.

“We will never accept Israel,” he said.

He said that they had asked the Saudi government for the appointment of employees for Hajj training, which they provided to Pakistan, and they are extremely grateful to the Saudi government. He said that due to the efforts of the Chief of Staff, the dollar came down, due to which there has been a reduction of Rs 100,000 in the Hajj package. This time, due to the efforts of the Army Chief, 904 companies would take their pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, while 24,000 pilgrims who are going under the private scheme would go through the road to Saudi Arabia, he added.

Islamabad: A condolence reference was held at Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) headquarters on Friday in memory of the five Customs officials who were martyred in D.I.Khan.

The Customs officials were martyred on April 18 while conducting an intelligence-based operation, read a statement issued by the department.

Chairman FBR Malik Amjad Zubair Towana, Board members and officers participated in condolence reference.

Chairman FBR, members and officers appreciated the eminent sacrifice of the martyrs and recited Fatiha and prayed for their forgiveness.

Karachi: The 100-Index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) turned around to bullish trend on Friday, gaining 619.79 points, a positive change of 0.88 percent, closing at 70,909.90 points against 70,290.12 points the previous trading day.

 A total of 475,833,699 shares valuing Rs.23.220 billion were traded during the day as compared to 440,314,409 shares valuing Rs.24.362 billion the last day.

Some 370 companies transacted their shares in the stock market; 200 of them recorded gains and 149 sustained losses, whereas the share prices of 21 remained unchanged.

The three top trading companies were Pak Refinery with 49,662,377 shares at Rs.30.09 per share, Cnergyico PK with 26,777,007 shares with Rs.4.47 per share and Kohinoor Spinning with 22,834,000 shares at Rs.4.96 per share. Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited witnessed a maximum increase of Rs.200.00 per share price, closing at Rs.20,900.00, whereas the runner-up was Hoechst Pakistan Limited with a Rs.97.49 rise in its per share price to Rs.1,397.49.

Rafhan Maize Products Company Limited witnessed a maximum decrease of Rs.30.10 per share closing at Rs.8,350.00, followed by Services Industries Limited with Rs.9.50 decline to close at Rs.602.50.