Latest news with #MuhammadAsif
News18
20-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
Four insurgents killed in Pakistans Balochistan province
Karachi, Jul 20 (PTI) Security forces have gunned down four insurgents, suspected of attacking a passenger bus earlier this week that killed three members of a qawwali troupe, in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province Sunday. The four were killed early in the morning during an intelligence-based operation in the Parod area of Kalat district in Balochistan, security sources said. The insurgents who attacked the bus had taken refuge in the mountainous areas near Parod, the sources said. On July 16, unidentified insurgents had opened fire on the passenger bus on the national highway in Kalat when it was going from Karachi in Sindh province to Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province. The incident had garnered much attention as it was taking a qaawali troupe linked with the late Amjad Sabri group for a private function. Among those killed was Muhammad Asif, an upcoming popular Bass player, Muhammad Bashir Sabri and Muhammad Raza, long-time members of the qawwali troupe. Insurgent groups have been active in recent weeks in the restive Balochistan province. Earlier on July 10, they had attacked a passenger bus in the Zhob-Loralai highway and after offloading nine passengers, all belonging to different areas of the Punjab province, killed them. Incidents of passenger buses being attacked by insurgent groups have increased in the volatile Balochistan province in recent months. Balochistan, bordering Iran and Afghanistan, has been in the grip of low-level violence for the last two decades. Ethnic Baloch groups involved in armed struggle accuse the federal government of exploiting the mineral wealth of the region. PTI CORR NPK NPK (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: July 20, 2025, 18:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Express Tribune
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Snooker success
Listen to article Pakistani snooker players have been orchestrating masterclasses in excellence, dominating the world snooker championships at masters and under-17 level. The annual tournament, organised this year in Bahrain by the International Billiards & Snooker Federation, is the premier amateur event on the snooker calendar. Muhammad Asif and teenager Hasnain Akhtar won their respective titles on the same day, and while Asif still had a competitive 4-3 win against his India rival, Akhtar routed his Welsh opponent without dropping a frame. Meanwhile, just a few weeks back, Pakistani cueists put up strong performances during the group stages of the Asian Championships, showing that despite having limited resources, minimal corporate patronage, and a backdrop of national challenges, our wealth of talent still shines through. However, it is worth noting that even in previous years, top Pakistani amateurs have not been able to dominate the professional game. In most instances, it is for the same reason: limited patronage from the state or corporate sponsors means many of our top amateur athletes lack the opportunity to hone their skills, and talent can only take them so far. This may be best summarised in the career of Mohammad Asif, who has been a dominant force at the amateur level for several years. He is only the second man ever to win three IBSF World Men's Snooker titles, yet he also only managed to reach a career-high professional ranking of 82 during the 2023-24 season. This is in stark contrast to several other talented amateurs who have gone on to have successful professional careers, backed in part by sponsorships that literally afford them the means and opportunity to participate in various international tournaments. Though it is not necessary for the government to provide patronage to every sport — especially at a time when it can barely provide patronage to health and education — it can still encourage private companies to support players, and citizens who claim to be sports fans can start actually going to watch them at the playing venue, instead of sitting home.
Business Recorder
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Business Recorder
Pakistan's Mohammad Asif wins World Masters snooker championship
Pakistan has won two snooker titles in a day — World Masters and Under-17 IBSF World Snooker Championship 2025 — in Bahrain. In the World Masters final, snooker player Mohammad Asif defeated India's Brijesh Damani by 4-3, Radio Pakistan reported. In the final of U-17 World Snooker Championship, cueist Muhammad Hasnain defeated Riley Powell of Wales by 4-0. President Asif Ali Zardari congratulated Asif on winning the world snooker championship and defeating Indian player Damani in the final to win the title. 'Muhammad Asif made the nation proud with his outstanding performance,' said the president. President Zardari said the success in the world competition is a testament to the ability, determination and hard work of Pakistani players. Praising Asif's dedication, courage and professionalism, he said: 'Muhammad Asif proved that Pakistani players are no less than anyone at the global level.'
Arab News
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Pakistani cueist Muhammad Asif advances to IBSF World Masters final in Bahrain
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Muhammad Asif has qualified for the final of the Masters category at the IBSF World Snooker Championships in Bahrain, defeating India's Manan Chandra 4-2 in the semifinal, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported on Friday. The 42‑year‑old from Faisalabad — a three‑time IBSF World Amateur Champion (2012, 2019, 2024) and recipient of Pakistan's Pride of Performance Award in 2015 — took the first frame 118‑6 before conceding the next two, then reeled off three straight wins to secure his place in the final. He will now face Brijesh Damani in the final, scheduled for Friday, 6pm Bahrain Time, 8pm PKT, the IBSF said in a post on Instagram. 'Another Pakistan cueist Hasnain Akhtar has also reached final in the U-17 category of IBSF World Masters Final after beating Oliwier Nizialek of Poland by 4-0,' Radio Pakistan reported. Asif qualified for the semifinals of the masters after defeating Habib Sabah (Bahrain) 4-0 (68(68)-8, 57-37, 68(68)-8, 40(40)-8) in the quarterfinal on Thursday. In the pre-quarterfinals, Asif defeated Mohamed Shehab (UAE) 4-2 (56-68, 21-72, 57-21, 80(80)-0, 68-45(43), 68-58). The IBSF World Snooker Championships are being held in Manama from July 13–24 and feature top amateur players in Masters and youth categories. Pakistan has a long record of success in amateur snooker.
Business Recorder
16-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
UK removes flight ban on Pakistan
In a major development for the country's aviation sector, the UK's Air Safety Committee, following air safety improvements, has lifted its restrictions on Pakistani carriers. Individual airline carriers will still need to apply for permits to operate to the UK through the UK Civil Aviation Authority, read a statement released by the British High Commission. 'I'm grateful to aviation experts in the UK and Pakistan for their collaborative work to drive improvements to meet international safety standards,' said Jane Marriott, British High Commissioner. 'While it will take time for flights to resume, once the logistics are in place, I look forward to using a Pakistani carrier when visiting family and friends.' Flight resumption: UK's go-ahead likely by first quarter of 2025 Decisions on de-listing states and air carriers from the UK Air Safety List are made through an independent aviation safety process. This is overseen by the UK's Air Safety Committee, which has been closely engaging with the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority over several years, it said. The committee has judged that necessary safety improvements have been made since its original decision in 2021. Therefore, based on this independent and technically-driven process, it has decided to remove Pakistan and its air carriers from the list. With over 1.6 million people of Pakistani heritage living in the UK and thousands of British nationals in Pakistan, today's announcement brings opportunities to make it easier for families to reunite, read the statement. The UK is Pakistan's third-largest trading partner, with a bilateral relationship worth £4.7 billion. Any ease in travel between both countries will help this important trade relationship to thrive, the British High Commission said. It is pertinent to mention that the ban was imposed in 2020, days after Pakistan launched an investigation into the validity of pilot licenses issued in the country following a PIA plane crash that killed 97 people. Boost privatisation efforts Addressing a press conference, Federal Minister for Aviation Khawaja Muhammad Asif said that the resumption of all routes would improve PIA's value ahead of the privatisation. 'We hope to fetch better value for PIA amid the latest development.' Earlier this month, Pakistan approved four groups to bid for a 51-100% stake in PIA. Final bids are expected later this year. He strongly criticized former aviation minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan for inviting international regulators, which ultimately led to a ban on Pakistan's national airline. 'I believe he [Sarwar] committed a crime against the state. To date, he has not given any explanation,' said Asif. 'We suffered losses amounting to billions while our national reputation was severely damaged.' Before the suspension, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) operated 21 weekly flights to the UK, including 10 to London, 9 to Manchester, and 2 to Birmingham. The potential resumption could substantially improve the connectivity for Pakistani passengers travelling to the UK and Europe. 'The government will now pursue action against those who are responsible for this loss,' Asif added. 'Now that the ban has been lifted, we will apply for operating licenses,' he said, adding that Air Blue, alongside PIA, has also been allowed to resume operations. Asif said that the development serves as an endorsement by the UK and European authorities that Pakistan's civil aviation regulator is operating in line with international standards. Apart from this, the government is also pursuing the resumption of flight operations to New York. 'Although there was no official ban, we were unable to operate amid aircraft shortage,' he said. PM lauds development In a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), PM Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the lifting of the ban on Pakistani airlines by British authorities. 'Due to irresponsible statements by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders in the past, Pakistani airlines were banned and the country's reputation was damaged,' the PM was quoted as saying in the statement. He said the resumption of PIA flights between Pakistan and the UK is an important milestone for the country. 'This positive development will enhance Pakistan's reputation internationally and further promote Pakistan's bilateral cooperation with the UK.' Steps are being taken to bring Pakistani airlines on par with global companies, he added.
