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Pakistan vows to promote merit in selection of athletes on International Day of Sports

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif addresses a federal cabinet in Islamabad, Pakistan on July 10, 2024. (PID/File)
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif addresses a federal cabinet in Islamabad, Pakistan on July 10, 2024. (PID/File)
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Updated 06 April 2025
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Pakistan vows to promote merit in selection of athletes on International Day of Sports

Pakistan vows to promote merit in selection of athletes on International Day of Sports
  • International Day of Sport and Development for Peace calls for recognizing power of sport in fostering positive change
  • Pakistani sports federations have been criticized for involvement in politics and poor infrastructure, training programs
Updated 06 April 2025
Arab News Pakistan
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday promised to promote merit in the selection of athletes and institutional discipline across the country’s sports federations, state-run media said, as the world marked the International Day of Sport and Development for Peace (IDSDP). 

The IDSDP is annually celebrated on Apr. 6 to recognize the power of sport in fostering positive change, bridging barriers, and transcending boundaries.

This year, the IDSDP will focus on the theme of ‘Social Inclusion,’ which aims to challenge stereotypes, promote equal opportunities and enable inclusive sport for all.

“The government is introducing reforms to ensure transparency, accountability and professionalism in national sports federations to improve institutional governance, prioritize merit in the selection of athletes and promote ethical values ​​in the field of sports,” Sharif was quoted as saying, according to a statement from his office. 

Pakistan’s sports federations have been heavily criticized for lack of improvements in infrastructure, training programs, or scouting systems for youth. Media reports have alleged that some sports federations are still heavily influenced by political connections due to which they do not select athletes on merit. 

The Pakistani premier noted that sports were an effective way to further national progress, empower youth and highlight Pakistan’s identity at the international level. He said this was the reason that the government had declared sports a central pillar of its development agenda.

Sharif said Pakistan was determined to become the “center of excellence” in sports and tourism in the region by holding countrywide training camps and the 14th South Asian Games in 2026.

He appealed to all the stakeholders, including civil society and development partners to prominently include sports in policies and programs related to education, health, development and peace.

“Let us together strengthen our system of sports and create an all-encompassing, empowered and sustainable society,” Sharif concluded. 

Topics: International Day of Sports

Chasing goals: Women in Karachi take the reins alongside men in polo

Chasing goals: Women in Karachi take the reins alongside men in polo
Updated 7 sec ago
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Chasing goals: Women in Karachi take the reins alongside men in polo

Chasing goals: Women in Karachi take the reins alongside men in polo
  • Traditionally considered a men’s sport, polo was seen as a proving ground for valor and strategy
  • Female players say skill and mental sharpness often outweigh brute strength while playing polo
Updated 7 sec ago
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: With the Arabian Sea breeze sweeping across the field and the clip-clop of hooves pounding on turf, Naziha Hassan leans low off her saddle, eyes fixed on the white ball, her hammer slicing through the air. In one motion, she sends the ball flying between the goalposts of Karachi’s Clifton Polo Ground, a makeshift arena bordered by high-rises on one side and the beach on the other.
In a city known more for its craze for traditional sports like cricket and football, this unlikely seaside field is home to a rare sight: women competing alongside men in polo.
Once a royal pastime in South and Central Asia, polo was seen as a proving ground for valor and strategy. Traditionally considered a men’s sport, it served not only as recreation but also as a means of training cavalry, developing horsemanship and preparing warriors and noblemen for combat.
“I haven’t felt that they’re going easy on me,” Hassan said of being treated differently by male players.
“I don’t think I was ever treated like a girl in the game... if they have to hit me, ride off, to make me fall, they will make me fall and that is perfectly fine,” she told Arab News.
A doctor by profession, Hassan became passionate about polo when she would go to school in Islamabad and stop by the polo club on her way back home, looking at horses.
After relocating to Karachi, she joined the Gallop Club five years ago to take riding lessons before making her way into polo, a high-speed sport where riders clash mid-play, horses collide and players often fall.
For Hassan and her fellow female players, polo’s appeal goes beyond gender. It’s about the skills, the connection with horses and the strategy. Skill and mental sharpness, they say, often outweigh brute strength.
“I don’t think gender makes a difference in the sport, to be fair,” she said. “Yes, there are some things [like] the physical strength and stuff that sometimes is important, but at the same time, like, polo is a bit different because in polo it depends on the horse a lot also. It also depends on your strategy as well.”
That view is shared by a long-time male player at the club who identified himself as Siavash.
“We absolutely don’t care for them [as female players] here,” he said.
“When you’re playing the game, you only see the other person as a player. And if you start thinking that she’s a female, then basically, they won’t let you play,” he said with a smile.
On the field, players engage fiercely and focus purely on the game. Any suggestion of treating female players differently is brushed aside.
“In polo, we say 70 percent of the game is the horse,” Siavash added. “If a girl plays well and rides a good horse, then she’s a proper player. Some girls even play better than men. It’s about your riding, your swing and your strategy, not just strength.”
Alishba Ahsan, another regular on the field, admits it’s a tough space for women, but she embraces the challenge.
“There are barely three or four girls playing here, including me,” she said. “It’s tough, but it’s also a very good experience. You don’t get any leverage for being a girl. You ride and play just like the boys.”
Ahsan, a law student, said she had fallen five or six times, but instead of backing out, she became more determined.
Off the field, the sport is also inspiring a new generation.
Ayesha Naveed, a stay-at-home mother of a first-grade student, said her journey onto the polo field began with her daughter’s interest in horse riding. She initially accompanied her to practice, but later decided to join in herself.
“I want her to become a good polo player someday,” she said of her daughter. “It makes me really happy to see that this is a sport where everyone plays together … There is no segregation like ‘this is the women’s team’ or ‘this is the men’s team.’ And the women are actually doing even better than the men.”
Her daughter, Alaya Naveed, takes riding lessons twice a week after school. She has already mastered the basics — walk, trot and even how to fall properly.
“I only come here on Tuesdays and Thursdays,” Alaya said, her eyes gleaming. “I would like to play polo because I see the other girls and it looks fun.”
“I think it’ll take me ten more months to be a polo player,” she said after a brief pause, with childlike innocence.

Topics: female polo players Polo in Pakistan Women in Sport

Minerals to be ‘real game changer’ for Pakistan’s economy— finance minister

Minerals to be ‘real game changer’ for Pakistan’s economy— finance minister
Updated 35 min 10 sec ago
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Minerals to be ‘real game changer’ for Pakistan’s economy— finance minister

Minerals to be ‘real game changer’ for Pakistan’s economy— finance minister
  • Pakistan hosted minerals investment forum on Apr.8-9 to attract international investment in the sector 
  • Muhammad Aurangzeb urges all economic sectors to export to earn Pakistan valuable foreign exchange
Updated 35 min 10 sec ago
Usama Iqbal Khawaja

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Saturday that the country’s minerals sector would prove to be the “real game changer” for the national economy in the years to come, reiterating the government’s ambitions to ensure export-led growth.

His comments came following the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025 hosted by the government in Islamabad in collaboration with its partners from Apr. 8-9. The summit was aimed at attracting foreign investment in the country’s mining sector and saw participation from major international companies including Canada-based Barrick Gold and government officials from the United States, Saudi Arabia, China, Turkiye, the United Kingdom, Azerbaijan and others.

Pakistan is home to one of the world’s largest porphyry copper-gold mineral zones, while the Reko Diq mine in southwestern Balochistan province has an estimated 5.9 billion tons of ore. Barrick Gold, which owns a 50 percent stake in the Reko Diq mines, considers them one of the world’s largest underdeveloped copper-gold areas, and their development is expected to have a significant impact on Pakistan’s struggling economy.

But despite rich reserves of salt, copper, gold and coal, Pakistan’s mineral sector contributes only 3.2 percent to GDP and 0.1 percent to global exports. The country is now aiming to tap into this underutilized potential.

“So, 2028 onwards when we talk about whether we have an exportable surplus or not, from traditional sectors textile is going to remain absolutely critical for us as we go forward,” Aurangzeb said while speaking to members of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce. 

“IT services [also] as we go forward and minerals, as we go forward,” he added. “This [minerals sector] is going to be the game changer, the real game changer.”

Aurangzeb said the minerals summit hosted by Pakistan was reflective of the country’s economy heading in the right direction. 

He said around 300-400 delegates from several countries attended the conference with a keen interest in investing in Pakistan’s minerals. 

“These are all manifestations that we have to take this forward,” the minister said. 

Reiterating the government’s resolve to ensure export-led growth in the economy, Aurangzeb called upon all economic sectors to export their products to earn Pakistan valuable foreign exchange. 

“Every single sector has to export,” he said. “No one has taken the responsibility that only textile has to export or any other has to.”

The finance minister noted that Pakistan’s auto manufacturers have started exporting their products, saying there were markets for Pakistani exporters in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and African countries.

Topics: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025 Pakistan economy

Pakistan skipper Rizwan says ‘not ashamed’ he can’t speak English fluently

Pakistan skipper Rizwan says ‘not ashamed’ he can’t speak English fluently
Updated 12 April 2025
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Pakistan skipper Rizwan says ‘not ashamed’ he can’t speak English fluently

Pakistan skipper Rizwan says ‘not ashamed’ he can’t speak English fluently
  • Fans frequently poke fun at Mohammad Rizwan for his inability to speak English fluently during post-match conferences
  • Pakistani captain says nation demands cricketing achievements from him rather than ability to speak English fluently
Updated 12 April 2025
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s ODI skipper Mohammad Rizwan said this week that he was “not ashamed” of his inability to speak English fluently, adding that only his ability to perform as a cricketer mattered at the end of the day. 

Rizwan, like several other Pakistani professional cricketers, had to choose the sport over education to pursue it as a full-time career. Fans have poked fun in the past at iconic Pakistani cricketers such as Javed Miandad, Inzamam ul Haq, Saeed Ajmal and others for their inability to speak English fluently. 

Since being appointed captain last year, Rizwan’s interactions with the media have increased. This has put his inability to speak English fluently with reporters from around the world in the spotlight. Cricket fans have poked fun at Rizwan with memes on the Internet while others have criticized him for not opting for a translator when speaking to the press in English. 

“I am proud that whatever I say, I say it from the heart and I tell the truth,” Rizwan said while speaking to reporters at a press conference in Karachi on Friday.

“But I am not even one percent ashamed that I am a Pakistani and I can’t speak English,” he added. 

The Pakistan captain said he regretted not completing his education, admitting that he could not express himself properly due to it. Rizwan said he advises young cricketers to pursue education so that they can express themselves properly unlike him. 

“My Pakistan at this time is demanding cricket from me,” Rizwan said. “It is not demanding English. If it wants English, I will leave cricket to become a professor, learn it and then return. But I don’t have time for that.”

Rizwan, who leads the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Multan Sultans, will be seen in action on Saturday against the Karachi Kings. 

The third match of the PSL 2025 is scheduled to kick off at 8:00 p.m. in the southern port city of Karachi. 

Defending champions Islamabad United cruised to an eight-wicket win over Lahore Qalandars in Rawalpindi in the PSL opener on Friday night.

Topics: Mohammad Rizwan Pakistan cricket Multan Sultan Pakistan Super League (PSL)

Pakistan says Zainebiyoun Brigade militant arrested in Karachi for involvement in sectarian attacks

Pakistan says Zainebiyoun Brigade militant arrested in Karachi for involvement in sectarian attacks
Updated 12 April 2025
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Pakistan says Zainebiyoun Brigade militant arrested in Karachi for involvement in sectarian attacks

Pakistan says Zainebiyoun Brigade militant arrested in Karachi for involvement in sectarian attacks
  • CTD says suspect was directly and indirectly involved in sectarian activities funded by Zainebiyoun Brigade
  • Pakistan’s interior ministry designated Zainebiyoun Brigade as a “terrorist” organization in March 2024
Updated 12 April 2025
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: The Counterterrorism Department (CTD) in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province said on Saturday it had arrested a key member of the Iran-backed Zainebiyoun Brigade outfit in Karachi, accusing him of being involved in sectarian attacks in the city. 

Pakistani authorities have arrested several militants affiliated with the Zainebiyoun Brigade in recent years, notably in the country’s commercial hub of Karachi. The city has been a significant recruitment hub for the militant outfit, along with three other regions – Parachinar, Quetta and Gilgit Baltistan.

Pakistan’s interior ministry designated Zainebiyoun Brigade as a “terrorist” organization in March 2024, saying it had reasons to believe the outfit was engaged in certain activities “prejudicial to the peace and security of the country.”

The CTD said in its press release that Syed Muhammad Musa Rizvi, alias Kamran, was arrested from the city’s Soldier Bazaar area, adding that the accused had been in hiding for fear of being arrested.

“The suspect is an important member of the Zainebiyoun Brigade and has been directly and indirectly involved in various sectarian activities that have been regularly funded by the organization,” the CTD said. 

It said Rizvi had confessed to carrying out a sectarian attack in Karachi’s Taimuria area on Sept. 5, 2023, which had resulted in the killing of a person named Qari Khurram and injuries to two others. 

The CTD said Rizvi also confessed to killing a person named Sher Khan on Sep. 20, 2023, in Karachi’s Mobina Town with his accomplices and another named Jannat Gul on Nov. 26, 2023, in the city’s Sachal area. 

It said that Rizvi confessed that on Nov. 13, 2024, that he played the role of a facilitator in the killing of a person named Syed Abu Hashim in Karachi’s Samanabad area.

It said that the suspect was being investigated for terror financing and other cases based on which he had been arrested. 

“The investigation of the accused is going on and more revelations are expected,” the CTD said. 

In January 2024, Sindh CTD said it had apprehended Syed Muhammad Mehdi, a suspected militant associated with the Zainebiyoun Brigade who had been involved in an assassination attempt on Mufti Taqi Usmani, a top Pakistani cleric, in Karachi in 2019. The attack had killed two of Mufti Usmani’s guards.

In July 2022, then Pakistan interior minister Rana Sanaullah Khan told the Senate that Zainebiyoun Brigade members were among the militants “found actively involved in terrorist activities” in the country in 2019-2021.

Topics: Zainebiyoun Brigade Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) CTD

Pakistan Navy stresses importance of combat readiness to counter regional maritime threats

Pakistan Navy stresses importance of combat readiness to counter regional maritime threats
Updated 12 April 2025
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Pakistan Navy stresses importance of combat readiness to counter regional maritime threats

Pakistan Navy stresses importance of combat readiness to counter regional maritime threats
  • Pakistan navy chief chairs meeting of apex decision-making forum to discuss plans, review policies
  • Appreciates navy’s efforts in acquiring advanced platforms and technologies to counter threats
Updated 12 April 2025
Shahjahan Khurram

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s navy chief this week stressed the importance of maintaining combat readiness to counter conventional and non-conventional regional maritime threats, the navy said in a statement, appreciating the force’s efforts in acquiring the latest technologies and advanced platforms. 

Pakistan’s Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf chaired the Command & Staff Conference at the Naval Headquarters in Islamabad on Friday. 

The Command & Staff Conference is the apex decision-making forum of the Pakistan Navy, where Ashraf, along with all principal staff officers and field commanders, review policies and strategic plans. 

“The Naval Chief emphasized the importance of maintaining perpetual combat readiness to effectively counter both traditional and non-traditional threats in the maritime domain,” a statement by the navy said on Friday.

“He appreciated the navy’s efforts in acquiring advanced platforms and technologies, expressing confidence in its operational preparedness to safeguard Pakistan’s maritime frontiers.”

The navy said that participants of the conference assessed the evolving maritime situation in the region with a focus on national security, geostrategic affairs and combat readiness.

Ashraf commended the navy for successfully hosting the multinational AMAN-25 naval exercise and the AMAN Dialogue, underscoring their significance in fostering maritime collaboration among regional and extra-regional naval forces. 

“He noted that these initiatives reflect Pakistan’s commitment to cooperative maritime security, in line with the navy’s vision for a secure and stable maritime environment,” the navy said. 

Pakistan Navy regularly collaborates with allies and friendly nations, conducting joint military exercises and other activities to enhance synergy, promote regional peace and stability, deter piracy, drug trafficking and other illicit maritime activities.

Topics: Pakistan navy chief Naveed Ashraf Pakistan Navy

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