Author: Our Correspondent

By our correspondent LAHORE: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has asked its Deputy Chairman, Imran Khwaja, to conduct back-channel negotiations with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) following Pakistan’s decision to boycott its T20 World Cup 2026 match against India, a foreign media reported on Wednesday. Khwaja, who represents the Singapore Cricket Association and is seen within the ICC as a neutral figure, has been tasked with persuading Pakistan to play the group match scheduled for February 15 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, reported Firstpost. The announcement follows Pakistan’s government statement on Sunday confirming the country’s participation in the T20 World Cup…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar held a conversation with Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchway on Thursday, emphasizing Pakistan’s longstanding role as a founding member of the Commonwealth and reaffirming the country’s commitment to democracy, good governance, sustainable development, and multilateral cooperation. During the discussion, both leaders explored opportunities to strengthen collaboration across key areas of mutual interest, focusing particularly on enhancing intra-Commonwealth cooperation. Dar highlighted Pakistan’s continued engagement with Commonwealth initiatives and underscored the importance of collective efforts to address global challenges, including economic development, social progress, and institutional capacity-building. The dialogue also provided a platform to…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev will undertake a two-day official visit to Pakistan on February 5 and 6, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. The visit reflects the growing bilateral ties between the two countries, the Foreign Office added ahead of the Uzbek leader’s state visit. President Mirziyoyev, accompanied by a high-level delegation of ministers and business leaders, will meet President Asif Ali Zardari, hold delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and address the Pakistan-Uzbekistan Business Forum. “Discussions will focus on reviewing the entire gamut of bilateral relations and identifying new avenues to further deepen cooperation…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Thursday acknowledged the pivotal role of Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector in promoting public health, generating employment, and contributing to overall economic activity. Speaking to a delegation from the Pharma Bureau in Islamabad, he highlighted the sector’s significance as both a driver of healthcare access and a contributor to the nation’s economic growth. Discussions covered key policy, regulatory, and economic issues, with particular focus on pricing and availability of medicines, regulatory procedures, investment facilitation, taxation, innovation, and the sector’s export potential. The delegation emphasized the need for a conducive policy environment that would…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Over the past three days, security forces in Pakistan carried out intensive operations against the terrorist group Fitna al Hindustan, resulting in the deaths of 197 militants, officials said. The operations, described by authorities as a coordinated effort to dismantle terrorist networks, reflected an ongoing campaign to curb violent extremism in regions affected by insurgency. According to security sources, the operations came at a high cost. Twenty-two personnel from the army, Frontier Corps (FC), police, and Pakistan Maritime Security Agency were killed while defending the country and safeguarding civilians. The officials described the fallen as heroes…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev is set to arrive in Pakistan tomorrow for a two-day state visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation including senior cabinet ministers and leading business figures. During his stay, President Mirziyoyev is scheduled to meet President Asif Ali Zardari, hold delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and address the Pakistan-Uzbekistan Business Forum. Discussions are expected to review the full spectrum of bilateral relations and explore new avenues to strengthen cooperation in trade, energy, defence, education, people-to-people exchanges, and regional connectivity. This…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev attended the Pakistan-Kazakhstan Business Forum, where the prime minister offered Pakistan’s deep-sea ports at Gwadar and Karachi to Central Asian states. Addressing the forum, PM Shehbaz outlined plans to expand rail and road links via Turkmenistan and Afghanistan. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to a landmark connectivity project that could transform economic integration between Pakistan, Kazakhstan and the wider Central Asian region. “Pakistan is fully committed to participate and contribute meaningfully in undertaking this project, as it will be a game-changer not only between our two countries, but…

By our correspondent KARACHI: Chairman of the Pakistan Red Crescent Society Sindh, Rehan Hashmi, attended the closing ceremony of the Kashmir Solidarity All Karachi Mixed Martial Arts Championship at the Sindh Sports Complex, where he served as the chief guest, bringing an end to a sporting event that combined competitive athletics with a broader message of solidarity. The championship had been organized under the supervision of Asian MMA and jujitsu officials, including Tariq Ali, and featured participation from national-level athletes across all categories. Fighters from both men’s and women’s divisions took part, highlighting the expanding reach of mixed martial arts…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari conferred Pakistan’s highest civil award, the Nishan-e-Pakistan, on the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, at a special investiture ceremony held in Islamabad on Thursday. The award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to strengthening bilateral relations and promoting friendship between nations, was presented in a formal ceremony attended by the country’s top leadership. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Defence Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, federal ministers, senior military officers, and other high-ranking government officials were present to witness the occasion. The ceremony underscored the significance Pakistan attaches…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved four major development projects worth more than 240 billion rupees during a meeting held in Islamabad on Tuesday, with Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar presiding. The approvals signal a renewed focus on infrastructure, healthcare, energy, and skills development across the country. Among the sanctioned projects is the expansion of the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology–National Institute of Heart Diseases (AFIC-NIHD) in Rawalpindi, aimed at improving healthcare facilities and access to advanced cardiac care for patients in the region. The project reflects the government’s ongoing commitment…