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Pakistani players to face Chinese, Iranian opponents in Snooker World Cup quarterfinals today

Pakistani players to face Chinese, Iranian opponents in Snooker World Cup quarterfinals today
Pakistan’s Awaisullah Muneer plays a shot during Asian 6-Red Snooker Championship in Riyadh on July 2, 2024. (Photo courtesy: Asian Confederation of Billiard Sports/File)
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Updated 18 September 2024
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Pakistani players to face Chinese, Iranian opponents in Snooker World Cup quarterfinals today

Pakistani players to face Chinese, Iranian opponents in Snooker World Cup quarterfinals today
  • Asjad Iqbal and Awais Munir have won all their matches during the tournament played in Mongolia
  • Snooker has gained substantial popularity in Pakistan, becoming one of its most followed cue sports
Updated 18 September 2024
Arab News Pakistan
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan cueists Asjad Iqbal and Awais Munir have qualified for the Mongolia Snooker World Cup 2024 quarterfinals scheduled to be played today, Wednesday, at Ulaanbaatar where they go up against China and Iran, state-run media reported.
The Mongolia Snooker World Cup 2024 is taking place from Sep 15-22. The tournament is part of the International Billiards and Snooker Federation’s schedule which has been held annually in Mongolia’s capital since 2019.
“In the quarterfinals to be played on Wednesday, Asjad will face Gao Yang (China) while Awais will be up against Ali Gharahgozlou (Iran),” the Associated Press of Pakistan reported on Tuesday.
According to local media reports, the Pakistani snooker players did not face any defeat in their matches and qualified for the Round of 16.
On Sep 15, Munir beat Iran’s Siyavosh Mozayani 3-1 with frame scores of 9-63, 78-34, 59-50, and 73-13 while Iqbal defeated Qatar’s Ali Alobaidi 3-1 with frame scores of 59-36, 26-63, 58-19, and 70-58.
Snooker has gained substantial popularity in Pakistan over the years, becoming one of the country’s most followed cue sports. Its rise can be attributed to the availability of snooker clubs across the countries, offering affordable access to the game. Pakistani players have also achieved significant success in international snooker, further boosting its appeal.
The breakthrough moment for snooker in Pakistan came in 1994 when Mohammad Yousuf won the IBSF World Snooker Championship, putting the country on the global snooker map. His success inspired many young players to take up the sport.

Topics: Snooker Champion

Pakistan benchmark share index hits all-time high

Pakistan benchmark share index hits all-time high
Updated 20 sec ago
Reuters
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Pakistan benchmark share index hits all-time high

Pakistan benchmark share index hits all-time high
  • Benchmark share index climbs 1.9 percent during intraday trading on expectations of substantive monetary easing
  • Pakistan’s stock market has gained some 13 percent since government passed a reform-heavy budget in June 
Updated 20 sec ago
Reuters

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s benchmark share index hit a record high on Thursday, climbing 1.9 percent in intraday trading, on expectations of further substantive monetary easing to spur economic growth.

The central bank has cut its key policy rate by a total of 450 basis points to 17.5 percent in three successive policy decisions since late July, taking heart as inflation eases.

Pakistan’s stock market hit an all-time high of 82,003 points and was trading at 81,800 as of 1:25 p.m. local time (08:25 GMT). It has gained some 13 percent since the government passed a economic reform-heavy budget in June aimed at securing a new International Monetary Fund program.

“Today’s market rise is reflective of the t-bill auction that happened on Wednesday where the government rejected bids in all tenors indicating a large rate cut in November,” said Ismail Iqbal Securities CEO Ahfaz Mustafa.

Pakistan’s central bank said disinflation was faster than expected and there was a possibility that average inflation for the fiscal year ending mid-2025 would fall below its forecast range of 11.5–13.5 percent.

“This coupled with the recent news of the IMF program and an expectation for inflation to slow to about 8 percent for September is all adding to the market making new intraday highs,” Mustafa added.

The IMF last week announced that its executive board will meet to discuss Pakistan’s $7 billion bailout program on Sept. 25 — allaying fears of a prolonged delay in much-needed funds for the country.

The South Asian nation struck a staff-level agreement with the global lender in June, but board approval for the 37-month program has been pending since then. 

Topics: Pakistan Pakistan economy Pakistan Stock Exchange

Pakistan defeats Brazil to win Karate Light Heavyweight Championship in Singapore

Pakistan defeats Brazil to win Karate Light Heavyweight Championship in Singapore
Updated 52 min 22 sec ago
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Pakistan defeats Brazil to win Karate Light Heavyweight Championship in Singapore

Pakistan defeats Brazil to win Karate Light Heavyweight Championship in Singapore
  • Shahzaib Rind from southwestern Balochistan beats Brazilian Luiz Victor Rocha in final match
  • Pakistan diplomat Rabia Shafiq congratulates Rind for a “smashing fight and historic victory“
Updated 52 min 22 sec ago
Hasaan Ali Khan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has won the World Karate Combat Light Heavyweight Championship, state media reported on Thursday, as Shahzaib Rind beat Brazil’s Luiz Victor Rocha in the final in Singapore.
The World Karate Combat is a professional martial arts league which hosts events around the world, showcasing bouts between fighters from different weight classes and countries. The Light Heavyweight Championship is a specific weight class typically for fighters weighing between 175 to 205 pounds (79 to 93 kg).
“Pakistan’s Shahzaib Rind from Balochistan has won the World Karate Combat Light Heavyweight Championship in Singapore,” Radio Pakistan said on Thursday. “He defeated his Brazilian rival Luiz Victor Rocha in the final.
Pakistan High Commissioner to Singapore, Rabia Shafiq, congratulated Rind for the “smashing fight and historic victory” at the Karate Combat Singapore. 
“You have done us all proud. Keep reaching new heights, champ! Shout out to Pakistanis in Singapore for a massive show of support,” she said in a post on the social media site X.


Earlier this year, Pakistan edged India out 2-1 in the Karate Combat 45 competition in Dubai, with an “unstoppable” Rind convincingly beating India’s Rana Singh to seal the win. 
The fixture between the arch-rival neighbors was a much awaited one, especially due to the pre-match hype between fighters of the two countries.

Topics: shahzaib rind Karate Combat 45

Four security personnel killed in two separate attacks in northwest Pakistan

Four security personnel killed in two separate attacks in northwest Pakistan
Updated 19 September 2024
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Four security personnel killed in two separate attacks in northwest Pakistan

Four security personnel killed in two separate attacks in northwest Pakistan
  • Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has witnessed attacks on police and security personnel, along with polio vaccination teams
  • The two attacks took place in Karak and North Waziristan districts, close to Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan
Updated 19 September 2024
REHMAT MEHSUD

PESHAWAR: Almost a week after police protested against militant attacks in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, four security personnel were killed in a targeted attack and a gunbattle with armed factions in the region on Thursday, confirmed police officials.
The first incident occurred in Karak, a southern district of the province, where unidentified assailants on a motorbike gunned down an official of the paramilitary Levies Force, an ill-equipped outfit, earlier in the day.
“Unidentified gunmen shot dead the Levies Force official in the center of the district after he left his home for duty,” Shaukat Khan, a police spokesperson in Karak district, told Arab News over the phone.
He informed that a police contingent arrived at the crime scene to gather evidence and trace the killers.
In another incident, three security personnel lost their lives in an exchange of fire with militants in North Waziristan’s Boya village near the border with Afghanistan.
“We have information of an exchange of fire near Boya in which three security personnel lost their lives,” Murad Khan, an official deployed at the police control room in the area, told Arab News.
KP, which borders Afghanistan, has witnessed numerous attacks on police, security personnel and anti-polio vaccination teams in recent months, along with kidnappings of civil and military officials.
Only a week ago, police in the volatile district of Lakki Marwat called off their days-long protest, condemning a spike in militant attacks and targeted killings of police officials.
Last week, unidentified gunmen opened fire on police guards escorting a polio vaccination team, killing one of them.
The Pakistan Army has a heavy presence across the province, where it has been battling militants from Al Qaeda, the Pakistani Taliban and other groups for nearly two decades.
There have been protests in several districts of KP since July, when Pakistan’s cabinet announced a new military operation amid a surge in terror attacks across the country.
People in KP have rejected plans for an armed operation and demand that civilian agencies like the police and the counter-terrorism department be better equipped.
No group has claimed responsibility for the latest attacks so far, but officials in Islamabad say militants associated with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) are primarily responsible for violence against the police and security personnel.
Islamabad has even blamed Kabul’s Afghan Taliban rulers for “facilitating” anti-Pakistan militants, a charge Kabul denies.

Topics: Pakistan Army Karak

ICC team discusses security arrangements with Karachi police ahead of Champions Trophy

ICC team discusses security arrangements with Karachi police ahead of Champions Trophy
Updated 19 September 2024
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ICC team discusses security arrangements with Karachi police ahead of Champions Trophy

ICC team discusses security arrangements with Karachi police ahead of Champions Trophy
  • ICC delegation is on four-day visit to Pakistan ahead of tournament from Feb.19 to Mar. 9, 2025
  • Pakistan is continuing with final preparations to host their first multi-team event since 2008
Updated 19 September 2024
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: A delegation from the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday visited a special unit of the Sindh police in Karachi to discuss security arrangements for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, which will be hosted by Pakistan from February 19 to March 9 next year.
In addition to Karachi where it reviewed security arrangements at the National Stadium on Wednesday, the ICC team, which is on a four-day visit to Pakistan, will visit key cricket venues in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Lahore to ensure they are in top condition to host the tournament next year. The delegation’s visit follows a previous inspection conducted by a three-member ICC team in April of this year.
On Thursday, the ICC delegation headed by Security Head of ICC Recce Team, David Masker, visited the Special Security Unit (SSU) Headquarters in Karachi.
“The visit aimed to strengthen collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the ICC to ensure a safe and secure environment for players, officials, and fans during the prestigious event,” the SSU said in a statement. 
Commandant SSU Anwar Khetran briefed the ICC on security arrangements to be implemented during matches scheduled at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi. 
“He emphasized the importance of a coordinated approach to security, which includes crowd management, emergency response plans, and collaboration with various stakeholders,” the statement added. 
DIG Security & Emergency Services Division Dr. Maqsood Ahmed also met with delegation and “encouraged all stakeholders to maintain high performance standards and to communicate any resource needs to management promptly, ensuring that all necessary support is in place for a successful tournament.”
The ICC delegation, according to the statement, reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to working closely with local authorities to enhance security measures for the event.
The ICC delegation is scheduled to depart for Dubai on September 21 as Pakistan continues final preparations to host their first multi-team event since 2008.
Last week, ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice confirmed there were currently no plans to relocate the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 from Pakistan.

Topics: ICC in Pakistan Champions Trophy 2025

‘Particularly worried’ about penetration of militants from Afghanistan into Pakistan — UN chief 

‘Particularly worried’ about penetration of militants from Afghanistan into Pakistan — UN chief 
Updated 19 September 2024
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‘Particularly worried’ about penetration of militants from Afghanistan into Pakistan — UN chief 

‘Particularly worried’ about penetration of militants from Afghanistan into Pakistan — UN chief 
  • Pakistan has seen rise in attacks in recent weeks which it blames on militants operating from Afghanistan
  • Afghan Taliban say they do not allow Afghanistan’s territory to be used by militants against other nations 
Updated 19 September 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Wednesday the international body was “particularly worried” about the penetration of militants from Afghanistan into Pakistan, calling on Kabul not to allow its soil to be used by terror groups.
Pakistan has seen a rise in militant attacks in recent weeks, with many of them taking place in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan where Islamabad says groups like the outlawed Pakistani Taliban, or TTP, are hiding and from where they daily target security forces convoys and check posts, and carry out targeted killings and kidnappings of law enforcers and government officials. 
Militants, particularly from separatist groups, have also repeatedly struck in the southwestern Balochistan province, which borders Afghanistan and Iran.
“We are particularly worried… when we look into the neighboring countries, we are particularly worried with the fact that there is a penetration of terrorists from Afghanistan into Pakistan and that that is creating, of course, many innocent victims and being a threat to Pakistani security,” Guterres told reporters in response to a question about what the UN planned to do about militants using safe havens in Afghanistan to launch attacks in Pakistan. 
“So, one of the things that is absolutely essential is that Afghanistan controls its territory and doesn’t allow terrorist groups from any other country to operate from Afghanistan.”
Islamabad says militants mainly associated with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) frequently launch attacks from Afghanistan and has even blamed Kabul’s Afghan Taliban rulers of facilitating anti-Pakistan militants. Kabul denies the charges.
Over 80 policemen have been killed in ambushes and target killings in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2024, according to police figures.

Topics: Pakistan Afghanistan

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