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Indian cricket official says will send team to Pakistan only with government’s permission​

Indian cricket official says will send team to Pakistan only with government’s permission​
Vice president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Rajeev Shukla (C) is surrounded by journalists in Mumbai, India on February 19, 2016. (AFP/File)
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Updated 07 May 2024
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Indian cricket official says will send team to Pakistan only with government’s permission​

Indian cricket official says will send team to Pakistan only with government’s permission​
  • Pakistan are expected to host Champions Trophy tournament from February to March 2025
  • No Indian team has traveled to Pakistan for cricket since 2008 due to deteriorating political relations 
Updated 07 May 2024
Arab News Pakistan
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ISLAMABAD: A senior official of the Indian cricket board this week confirmed that it would send its team next year to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy tournament only if its central government gave it permission to do so. 

Pakistan is expected to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 tournament from February to March 2025. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has proposed three venues for the tournament— Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi, according to local and international media reports. However, out of the eight participating teams, a question mark looms over whether the Indian cricket team will travel to Pakistan for the tournament. 

The last time an Indian cricket team traveled to Pakistan for a cricket event was in 2008 for the Asia Cup. The Nov. 26 2008 Mumbai attacks caused a severe strain in India-Pakistan relations, forcing both teams to play against each other only during international events and at “neutral venues.”

As hosts of the Asia Cup last year, Pakistan were forced to agree to a hybrid model according to which India played all of their matches, including those against Pakistan, in Sri Lanka. Though Pakistan raised the prospect of a hybrid model for their presence in the ODI World Cup in India last year, they ended up playing all their games in the neighboring country. 

“In the case of the Champions Trophy, we will do whatever the government of India will tell us to do,” Rajeev Shukla, vice president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) told Indian news agency ANI on Monday. 

“We send our team only when the government of India gives us permission.”

According to cricket website ESPNcricinfo, Pakistan has proposed hosting all of India’s Champions Trophy matches in the eastern city of Lahore. The website reported that hosting all of India’s matches in Lahore would mean less logistical and security headaches around their travel. Additionally, the Wagah border crossing in Lahore allows Indian fans a relatively easier option to visit.

Pakistan are defending champions of the ICC Champions Trophy. The green shirts won the trophy under former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed in 2017 at The Oval in London after thrashing India by 180 runs to win the tournament. Champions Trophy 2017 was thought to be the last edition of the tournament until the ICC brought it back in the new rights cycle (2023-2027) and awarded Pakistan the hosting rights for the 2025 edition. 

Topics: Pakistan India Rajeev Shukla ICC Cricket ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Champions Trophy 2025 Arab News Pakistan

Pakistan says it has agreed $1 billion loan with two Middle Eastern banks

Pakistan says it has agreed $1 billion loan with two Middle Eastern banks
Updated 30 sec ago
Reuters
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Pakistan says it has agreed $1 billion loan with two Middle Eastern banks

Pakistan says it has agreed $1 billion loan with two Middle Eastern banks
  • Loans are short-term with 6 to 7 percent interest rate, says Muhammad Aurangzeb
  • Pakistan aims to boost finances after securing $7 billion IMF bailout in September
Updated 30 sec ago
Reuters

DAVOS, Switzerland: Pakistan has agreed terms for a $1 billion loan with two Middle Eastern banks at a 6 percent-7 percent interest rate, its Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb told Reuters on Tuesday, as the South Asian country looks for more financing.

“With two institutions we have now gone forward in signing up the term sheet — one bilateral and one for trade (finance),” Aurangzeb said during an interview on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos.

The loans were short-term — or up to one year, Aurangzeb added.

Pakistan aims to boost its finances after securing a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout in September 2024, with the first review set for late February.

“We have the first formal review of the EFF coming through toward (the) end of February,” Aurangzeb said. “I do think we are in good stead for that review.”

IMF extended fund facilities (EFFs) provide financial assistance to countries facing serious medium-term balance of payments problems resulting from structural weaknesses that require time to address.

Topics: Pakistan economy Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb

Pakistan invites Cambodian businesses to invest in agriculture, tourism, textile sectors

Pakistan invites Cambodian businesses to invest in agriculture, tourism, textile sectors
Updated 21 January 2025
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Pakistan invites Cambodian businesses to invest in agriculture, tourism, textile sectors

Pakistan invites Cambodian businesses to invest in agriculture, tourism, textile sectors
  • Commerce Minister Jam Kamal attends inaugural Pakistan-Cambodia Joint Trade Committee in Phnom Penh
  • Pakistan and Cambodia’s bilateral trade of goods and services valued at $45.5 million, says commerce ministry
Updated 21 January 2025
Hasaan Ali Khan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan on Tuesday invited Cambodian businesses to explore investment opportunities in the country’s agriculture, textiles, pharmaceuticals and tourism sectors, his ministry said, as Islamabad eyes foreign investment to ward off a prolonged economic crisis. 

The development took place as both sides took part in the inaugural session of the Pakistan-Cambodia Joint Trade Committee (JTC) in Phnom Penh. 

Khan arrived in Cambodia on Jan. 19 for a three-day official visit to the country to engage in bilateral trade talks amid Islamabad’s push to seek closer trade ties as it targets sustainable economic growth. 

“Pakistan’s Minister for Commerce highlighted Pakistan’s strategic location, growing economy and investment-friendly policies, inviting Cambodian businesses to explore opportunities in agriculture, textiles, pharmaceuticals and tourism,” Pakistan’s Commerce Ministry said. 

The minister stressed Pakistan’s efforts to improve ease of doing business and its potential as a gateway to key markets in South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East.

The ministry further said Khan and Cambodian Commerce Minister Cham Nimul discussed mutual interests such as trade, health, banking, agriculture, aviation and customs. 

She appreciated the first JTC meeting between the two sides and expressed interest in visiting Pakistan for the second JTC meeting after Khan extended her a formal invitation. 

Nimul called for exploring joint ventures to leverage regional opportunities, highlighting Cambodia’s market access within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, Pakistan’s commerce ministry said. 

“Both countries also expressed interest in MoUs for aviation, banking, and customs cooperation,” the statement said. 

“With bilateral trade currently valued at $45.5 million, both sides acknowledged significant untapped potential and committed to building stronger ties.”

The ministry said both sides will appoint focal persons to expedite negotiations for signing MoUs aimed at enhancing cooperation. 

Additionally, Pakistan and Cambodia also agreed to share trade-related information, organize trade delegations and facilitate their respective business communities.

Topics: Pakistan Cambodia ties Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan

Pakistan invites global stakeholders to invest in priority sectors during WEF summit

Pakistan invites global stakeholders to invest in priority sectors during WEF summit
Updated 21 January 2025
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Pakistan invites global stakeholders to invest in priority sectors during WEF summit

Pakistan invites global stakeholders to invest in priority sectors during WEF summit
  • Pakistan’s finance minister is in Davos to attend annual WEF summit from Jan. 20-24
  • Invites global investors to invest in agriculture, IT, mining, minerals and energy sectors
Updated 21 January 2025
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Tuesday invited global investors and stakeholders to invest in Pakistan’s priority sectors during the ongoing World Economic Forum (WEF) summit in Davos. 

Aurangzeb is in the Swiss city to attend the WEF’s annual summit from Jan. 20-24 where the world’s top business and political leaders are meeting to address key global and regional challenges.

Pakistan, which has struggled with a prolonged economic crisis for the past two years, is struggling to bring about an economic revival. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s coalition government has vowed to do that by privatizing state-owned enterprises, reducing interest rates, slashing inflation and increasing exports to achieve a 6 percent growth rate in the coming years. 

“Global stakeholders are invited to support Pakistan’s journey by investing in priority sectors such as agriculture, IT, renewable energy, mining and minerals, textiles and apparels, pharmaceuticals, while capitalizing on Special Economic Zones (SEZs),” Aurangzeb wrote in an article for the WEF. 

The minister said Pakistan is addressing structural inefficiencies in revenue collection, energy and SOEs. 

“Rightsizing the federal government, reforming SOEs, and fostering export-led growth will strengthen internal revenue streams and reduce reliance on international funding programs,” he added. 

He said Pakistan was on a path to economic recovery, noting that inflation had dropped to 4.1 percent, and foreign exchange reserves now provide over two months of import coverage.

The Pakistani finance minister said the current account had recorded a surplus for three consecutive months while the country’s goods exports have risen by 7.1 percent, 

“Pakistan’s global default risk has dropped by 93 percent, signaling renewed faith in the country’s fiscal stability,” he said. 

“Local and foreign investors, including global giants like Aramco, BYD and Samsung, are contributing to this economic revival, reflecting Pakistan’s potential as a lucrative investment hub.”

The minister said the cornerstone of Pakistan’s economic transformation is visionary leadership and political will. 

“With a remarkable workforce, abundant natural resources, and immense production potential, Pakistan is poised to soar to new heights – contributing to regional stability and global economic progress,” he said. 

Aurangzeb’s activities at the forum would include taking part in panel discussions on the rising global debt burden on developing economies. 
He will also take part as a panelist in a discussion on the revolutionary impact of new technologies, especially Artificial Intelligence and automation, in promoting trade and investment, the finance ministry said this week. 
It said the minister will also give interviews to selected international media representatives during the summit.

Topics: Pakistan economy Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb

Lawmakers in Pakistan’s Punjab impose total ban on kite flying over safety concerns

Lawmakers in Pakistan’s Punjab impose total ban on kite flying over safety concerns
Updated 21 January 2025
AP
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Lawmakers in Pakistan’s Punjab impose total ban on kite flying over safety concerns

Lawmakers in Pakistan’s Punjab impose total ban on kite flying over safety concerns
  • Measure comes days ahead of decades-old Basant festival which features kite flying
  • Those breaching the law could face up to 3-5 years in prison, pay heavy fines of $7,200
Updated 21 January 2025
AP

LAHORE, Pakistan: Lawmakers in Pakistan’s most populous Punjab province on Tuesday passed a law permanently banning kite flying.

The measure, which includes enhanced prison terms and heavy fines on kite fliers and kite manufacturers, comes ahead of the decades-old festival of Basant.

A ban on kite flying was initially imposed in 2005 in Lahore, the capital of the province, when at least 11 bystanders were fatally cut by wire or string made from metal or coated with glass during competitions.

The ban was extended beyond Lahore to other cities and under the latest legislation it will come into effect across the province ahead of the Basant festival, whose centerpiece is kite flying to welcome spring.

Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, a lawmaker from the ruling Pakistan Muslim League party, moved the bill in the Punjab Assembly on Tuesday, which was passed with a majority vote. Those breaching the law could face a prison sentence of between three to five years and a fine of up to 2 million rupees ($7,200).

Manufacturers of kites and strings could also face custodial sentences of up to seven years and a fine of five million rupees ($18,000), Rehman said. He said the new law was needed to save the lives of innocent people.

The centuries-old Basant festival traditionally culminates with thousands of kites soaring into the sky. Basant means “yellow” in the Hindi language, a reference to the fields of blooming yellow flowers as spring approaches.

Topics: Punjab Assembly Kite flying

Pakistan to start selection process of Hajj support staff from Jan. 25— religion ministry

Pakistan to start selection process of Hajj support staff from Jan. 25— religion ministry
Updated 21 January 2025
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Pakistan to start selection process of Hajj support staff from Jan. 25— religion ministry

Pakistan to start selection process of Hajj support staff from Jan. 25— religion ministry
  • Pakistan’s religion ministry to select approximately 950 Hajj assistants and administrators
  • Over 170,200 pilgrims from Pakistan are expected to perform annual pilgrimage this year
Updated 21 January 2025
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will kick off the selection process of approximately 950 Hajj assistants or “moavineen” and administrators, also known as “nazims,” through the National Testing Service (NTS) on Jan. 25, a religion ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday. 

Pakistan selects hundreds of doctors and assistants each year to facilitate local pilgrims in Saudi Arabia during Hajj. These assistants provide Pakistani pilgrims with guidance regarding the pilgrimage, the holy sites in Makkah and Madinah, as well as logistical support and medical aid if necessary.

The new Hajj Policy, passed in November last year, introduced the position of administrator to ensure improved services for those undertaking the annual Islamic pilgrimage. According to the policy, the government will appoint one nazim for every 100 Pakistani pilgrims.

“We will require approximately 800 Hajj support staff (moavineen) and around 150 supervisors (nazmeen), who are being included for the first time under the Hajj Policy 2025,” Muhammad Umer Butt, a spokesperson of the Ministry of Religious Affairs told Arab News.

“To ensure merit-based selection and transparency, the government will once again select all staff through the National Testing Service (NTS) tests, which will commence on Jan. 25 and will subsequently be conducted in different parts of the country,” he added.

The NTS designs and administers tests and assessments to various institutions and organizations in Pakistan for admissions, scholarships, recruitment, promotions and assessments. 

Butt said NTS has started issuing roll numbers to applicants who have applied for the Hajj assistants (moavineen) positions.

He added that the ministry also provided applicants syllabus for the test, which was based on the Hajj Policy 2025, key responsibilities of the staff and various aspects of Hajj operations. 

Additionally, Butt said all relevant information was published on the ministry’s website.

“In the first week of February, the successful candidates will undergo interviews and medical fitness tests, as Hajj is a demanding duty,” he said. 

Butt said the final list of selected candidates will be prepared in February and letters confirming the selections will be issued later. 

“Afterward, the selected candidates will undergo final training,” he said. 

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed the Hajj 2025 agreement this month, according to which 179,210 pilgrims from the South Asian country would perform the annual pilgrimage in 2025. 

The quota for pilgrims is divided equally between government and private schemes.

Pakistan this week kicked off preparations for the Hajj by conducting mandatory training sessions for its nationals selected to perform this year’s pilgrimage under the government scheme. 

The Ministry of Religious Affairs also launched the Pak Hajj 2025 mobile application, available for both Android and iPhone users, to assist pilgrims.

Topics: Pakistan Hajj mission Hajj 2025

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