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Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Pak Women's WC ties in Colombo
Colombo's famous R Premadasa Cricket Stadium, acting as a neutral venue, is likely to host Pakistan's matches during the ICC Women's World Cup which is to be held in India in October this year. PHOTO: AFP Pakistan will play all their women's 50-over World Cup matches in Sri Lanka's capital Colombo when India hosts this year's tournament, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Monday. Politically-estranged India and Pakistan, who have not played a bilateral series since 2013, will play their matches in neutral venues when either country hosts an ICC event, the sport's global governing body announced in December. "The venues for the knockouts are dependent on Pakistan qualifying as two alternative venues have been identified for one semi-final and the final," the ICC said. "Colombo will be the venue for the first semi-final and the final only if Pakistan qualify for those stages." Bengaluru, where the tournament will start with India playing in the opening match, will host the final on November 2 if Pakistan are knocked out earlier in the tournament, the ICC added. Bengaluru will also stage the second semi-final on October 30, a day after the first semi-final in Colombo or Guwahati. Visakhapatnam and Indore are the two other host cities for the eight-team tournament. India played all their matches in Dubai when Pakistan hosted the men's Champions Trophy this year, including the final which they won. Both the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Pakistan Super League were suspended last month amid clashes between the two countries following an attack targeting tourists that killed 26 people in Kashmir in April. Matches resumed after a ceasefire was announced. The neutral venue arrangement between the countries will also be in place for the men's T20 World Cup in 2026, which India will co-host with Sri Lanka, and the women's T20 World Cup in 2028 in Pakistan. Reuters Women's Emerging Asia Cup postponed The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has officially announced the postponement of the ACC Women's Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2025, which was originally scheduled to begin on June 6 in Sri Lanka. The decision follows a formal request from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) President Shammi Silva, who wrote to ACC President Mohsin Raza Naqvi, citing adverse weather conditions and growing health concerns stemming from a chikungunya outbreak in the region. In a statement, ACC President Mohsin Naqvi reaffirmed the council's dedication to women's cricket. "The ACC is committed to providing opportunities for young women cricketers to develop their skills and compete at the highest level," said Mr. Mohsin Raza Naqvi, President Asian Cricket Council. "We understand the strategic significance of this tournament in shaping the future of women's cricket in Asia, and we will work diligently to reschedule the event at the earliest possible date," he added. The ACC emphasised that it remains focused on promoting women's cricket and nurturing emerging talent across the continent. New dates for the tournament will be announced in due course. Meanwhile, speculation had been circulating in the media regarding India's possible withdrawal from ACC tournaments due to ongoing cross-border tensions. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has strongly refuted these claims. Speaking to the Indian media, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia clarified the board's position regarding participation in ACC events, firmly denying any withdrawal rumors. "There has been no discussion or decision to withdraw from any ACC event. Our current focus remains on the Indian Premier League and the upcoming England series for both the men's and women's teams."
Business Recorder
15-05-2025
- Health
- Business Recorder
President visits CMH
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday visited CMH to inquire after the health of Jawans of Pakistan Army and civilians who were injured during the Indian aggression. The president was accompanied by Minister for Interior Mohsin Raza Naqvi, Commander 10 Corps and administration authorities of the hospital, President House Media Wing said in a press release. The president met every Jawan and civilian individually and praised their valour, sacrifice and patriotism. He said that they were proud of the sacrifices of their Jawans and the entire nation saluted their brave Sepoys and civilians. The president said that Pakistani nation faced the enemy's aggression with determination and termed Indian aggression and extremist a threat to the regional peace. He further observed that entire regional security was at risk due to the Hindutva ideology, adding Modi's government wanted to use aggression against Pakistan for its political mileage. He reiterated that they would not allow any harm to Pakistan's sovereignty and national solidarity and the entire nation was untied, spirited and vigilant to counter any aggression. President Zardari said that Pakistan was capable of fully responding to any aggression and giving a befitting reply. He also thanked the doctors, nursing staff and administration authorities for looking after the injured. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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Express Tribune
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
60 Afghans rounded up in twin cities
Edema Bibi, 66, an Afghan citizen, stands at the entrance of her house as a police officer checks her registration card in an Afghan Camp on the outskirts of Karachi, November 21, 2023. PHOTO; REUTERS After the expiry of a deadline for their voluntary return to Afghanistan, authorities in Pakistan on Thursday swung into action and arrested 60 illegal Afghan migrants from different areas of Rawalpindi and Islamabad during a search operation. According to sources, the operation was carried out by police in collaboration with secret agencies on the basis of tip-offs. In Islamabad, the operation was carried out in Tarnol, Barakahu, Ghauri Town and Mirabad areas, from where 22 Afghan nationals were rounded up. Thirty-eight Afghans were detained during the operation in Rawalpindi's Fauji Colony and its adjoining areas. All the people were later shifted to a temporary camp in the Haji camp area. After their biometric and registration at the camp, these people will be shifted to the Landi Kotal area in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) from where they will be deported to Afghanistan through Torkham border crossing. Pakistan had set a March 31 deadline for all illegal residents, including Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holder, to voluntarily return to their home countries. However, with the deadline now past, the government has signaled the start of forcible removals and legal measures against those still residing in the country without proper documentation. According to official data, a total of 886,242 undocumented Afghan nationals left Pakistan as of April 1, with repatriations continuing. Authorities warned of strict legal action against those who failed to leave by the deadline, reinforcing the government's commitment to enforcing immigration laws. There are 43 camps for Afghan refugees in the K-P. The number of Afghan nationals in Pakistan holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards is 1,344,584. In the K-P, the total number of registered Afghan refugees is 709,278, out of which 344,908 are residing in camps. The number of Afghan refugees holding ACC is 307,647. Since 2013, a total of 465,000 Afghan refugees have returned through the Torkham border. In Balochistan, there are 317,000 registered Afghan refugees; in Punjab, there are 196,000 refugees; in Sindh 74,117; Islamabad 42,718, and in Azad Kashmir there are 4,448 registered Afghan refugees. The Afghan interim government under the Taliban on Tuesday called upon Islamabad not to start deportation of Afghan nationals. "Notably, Pakistan has announced a renewed crackdown, stating that it will deport individuals without legal residence permits, even as valid cardholders face uncertainty," an Afghan government statement said on April 1, according to the Afghan official Bakhtar news agency. The mass deportation drive, launched last year, is part of Pakistan's broader strategy to regulate undocumented migration and address rising security concerns. On Wednesday, Interior Minister Mohsin Raza Naqvi called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and briefed him about the progress with regard to the repatriation process of the Afghan nationals.
Express Tribune
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Afghans brace for crackdown post-Eid
With Eid holidays coming to an end on Wednesday, the process to expel all illegal foreigners and Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders is likely to gain momentum as the deadline for their voluntary departure has officially expired. In this connection, Interior Minister Mohsin Raza Naqvi called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday and briefed him about the progress with regard to the repatriation process of the Afghan nationals. According to official data, a total of 886,242 undocumented Afghan nationals have left Pakistan as of April 1, with repatriations continuing. Authorities have warned of strict legal action against those who failed to leave by the deadline, reinforcing the government's commitment to enforcing immigration laws. Pakistan had set a March 31 deadline for all illegal residents, including Afghan Citizen Card holders, to voluntarily return to their home countries. However, with the deadline now past, the government has signaled the start of forcible removals and legal measures against those still residing in the country without proper documentation. The deadline for their return ended on March 31, but the repatriation process could not formally begin due to the Eid holidays. There are 43 camps for Afghan refugees in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. The number of Afghan nationals in Pakistan holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards is 1,344,584. In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the total number of registered Afghan refugees is 709,278, out of which 344,908 are residing in camps. The number of Afghan refugees holding Afghan Citizen Cards is 307,647. Since 2013, a total of 465,000 Afghan refugees have returned through the Torkham border. In Balochistan, 317,000 Afghan refugees are registered, while Punjab has 196,000, Sindh has 74,117, Islamabad has 42,718, and Azad Kashmir has 4,448 Afghan refugees residing. The Afghan interim government under the Taliban on Tuesday had called upon Islamabad not to start deportation of Afghan nationals. "Notably, Pakistan has announced a renewed crackdown, stating that it will deport individuals without legal residence permits, even as valid cardholders face uncertainty," an Afghan government statement said on April 1, according to the Afghan official Bakhtar news agency. The mass deportation drive, launched last year, is part of Pakistan's broader strategy to regulate undocumented migration and address rising security concerns. Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies in the twin cities have been instructed to apprehend and deport Afghan nationals involved in criminal activities, along with their families. In Rawalpindi, the police chief has ordered the superintendents of the Rawal, Potohar, and Saddar divisions to take legal action against undocumented Afghan nationals residing or working in the district. Authorities have been explicitly directed to detain any Afghans implicated in criminal activities. However, the directive also calls for a broader punitive approach, stipulating that if any member of a family is found guilty of a crime, the entire family will face deportation. Following the Rawalpindi city police officer's (CPO) orders, all station house officers (SHOs) have been tasked with identifying and detaining Afghan nationals living in their respective jurisdictions and their families. Meanwhile, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has acknowledged Pakistan's hospitality toward refugees, while stressing that a sustainable solution requires "all of us working together - Afghanistan, Pakistan and the international community". In her Eid message, UNHCR Pakistan representative Philippa Candler reiterated that Pakistan could not be expected to shoulder the responsibility of hosting Afghan refugees indefinitely. She called for a comprehensive approach to address both the immediate and long-term challenges faced by Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Afghan refugees themselves. Candler further stressed the crucial role of the international community, highlighting the need for continued humanitarian aid, not just for short-term relief but also to support long-term development initiatives.
Express Tribune
10-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Dematerialised digital identity card launched
NADRA has announced the launch of Pakistan's first "dematerialised digital identity card" during its Silver Jubilee ceremony on Monday. In his message, Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control, Mohsin Raza Naqvi, termed the launch of Pakistan's first dematerialised digital identity card as a significant step toward digital identity transformation. He announced that after integrating this feature into the Pak ID mobile app, citizens will be able to store their identity cards on their smartphones. Additionally, a digital verification system will be introduced soon, facilitating secure and instant verification for various services under the World Bank-backed Digital Economy Project.
