Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Home Blog Page 8440

Shaheens to take on Bangladesh A in first four-day on Tuesday

By
NNPS Desk
-
0

ISLAMABAD, Aug 12 (APP): The Pakistan Shaheens cricket team will face Bangladesh ‘A’ in the first four-day match here at the Islamabad Club from August 13 to 16.

The second four-day match will be played at the same venue from August 20 to 23. The two sides had most recently played a two-match series in Darwin, Australia, which ended in 1-1.

Both Pakistan Shaheens and Bangladesh ‘A’ have packed their sides with players who will feature in the ICC World Test Championship fixtures, to be played in Rawalpindi and Karachi on August 21-25 and August 30 to September 3, respectively.

This is due to the fact that both Pakistan and Bangladesh have not played a Test since January and March, respectively. Pakistan’s last Test was against Australia in Sydney, while Bangladesh previous appearance in the current ICC World Test Championship cycle was against Sri Lanka at home in March.

Test probables in the Pakistan Shaheens are Saud Shakeel (captain), Kamran Ghulam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub and Sarfaraz Ahmed, while Hasan Mahmud, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Nayeem Hasan and Zakir Hasan are the Bangladesh ‘A’ players who will join the Test side following the four-day match.

Saud Shakeel, who was recently named Pakistan Test vice-captain and has previously led Shaheens red-ball side against Sri Lanka ‘A’ in October-November 2021, will captain the home side in the first four-day match. Anamul Haque, who has represented Bangladesh in 74 international matches to date, will captain Bangladesh ‘A’.

In the past three years, the Shaheens have played six four-dayers – winning three, losing one and drawing two. The Shaheens began their preparations for the red-ball series on 7 August at the Islamabad Club under the supervision of head coach Umar Gul, while Bangladesh ‘A’ arrived in Islamabad on 10 August.

Sameen Gul has been withdrawn from the Shaheens squad as a precautionary measure. A replacement will be announced in due course.

Pakistan Shaheens captain Saud Shakeel said, “It is an honour for me to lead the Pakistan Shaheens team. I have led this team on a few occasions in the past. I always enjoy my captaincy as I get involved in the game more than usual.
“This four-day series is crucial as some of the players have not played red-ball cricket recently. So, the match starting on Tuesday will serve as an important opportunity for the Test probables to gear up and be fully prepared and ready for the upcoming challenges that include nine ICC World Test Championship Tests.

“Bangladesh are always competitive, particularly with spin. We look forward to the challenge on our home turf.”
Bangladesh ‘A’ captain Anamul Haque said, “We have been very excited about facing the Pakistan Shaheens side in their backyard. The Shaheens squad looks strong, especially the fast bowling department. With the highly experienced players on either side, the first four-dayer will be highly competitive.

“This series is also crucial for the Bangladesh players looking to prepare for the upcoming Test series and youngsters who aim to stake a claim in the senior side.”

Pakistan Shaheens squad (for first four-day match): Saud Shakeel (captain), Kamran Ghulam, Mehran Mumtaz, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rameez Jnr, Mohammad Huraira, Naseem Shah, Saad Baig (wicket-keeper), Saad Khan, Saim Ayub, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper) and Umar Amin.

Bangladesh ‘A’ squad (for first four-day match): Anamul Haque (captain), Hasan Mahmud, Hasan Murad, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Mominul Haque, Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, Mushfiqur Rahim, Nayeem Hasan, Rejaur Rahman Raja, Ruyel Miah, Sahadat Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Zakir Hasan.

Match officials: Faisal Aafreedi and Imran Jawed (on-field umpires), Zulfiqar Jan (third umpire), Nadeem Arshad (match referee).

Gilani calls upon youth to equip themselves with skills, knowledge

By
Kamran Muraad
-
0
ISLAMABAD, Aug 12 (APP):Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani Monday called upon the youth to equip themselves with the skills and knowledge necessary to create a sustainable future.
In his message on International Youth Day, he extended heartfelt greetings to the vibrant and dynamic youth of Pakistan. He said that Pakistan is a country blessed with talent and potential.
Quoting an example of the recent record-breaking success Arshad Nadeem brought to the country, he said, “Young blood with its valour and determination can achieve great things and make the nation proud.”
He added that youth are the real agents of change, and their role is crucial for the country’s progress and prosperity.
The chairman said that youth participation in the democratic process is vital for the continued growth and stability of Pakistan. Gilani said that Pakistan faces many challenges on the socio-economic front.
“With youth constituting more than 60% of the total population, they have the potential to contribute significantly towards the country’s progress, overcoming challenges, and working together for a brighter future” he added.

Dutch envoy calls on Defence Minister, express willingness for constructive bilateral ties

By
NNPS Desk
-
0

ISLAMABAD, Aug 12 (APP): Ambassador of the Kingdom of Netherlands, Henny Fokel De Vries called on Minister for Defence, Defence Production and Aviation Khawaja Muhammad Asif here Monday and expressed her willingness to promote constructive bilateral ties in various sectors.

The Federal Minister emphasized that Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Republic of Netherlands and wants to further enhance defence collaboration, a news release said.

Latest security situation along Pak-Afghan border and Pakistan’s commitment to peace and stability in the region came under discussion.

He also impressed upon Pakistan’s commitment to eradication of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

Both sides reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and explored various possibilities of further strengthening political, economic ties with focus on global and regional issues.

WAPDA all sets for diversion of River Swat in a few days

By
NNPS Desk
-
0

ISLAMABAD, Aug 12 (APP): WAPDA is all set for diversion of Swat River at Mohmand Dam Hydropower Project, as the diversion tunnels have been completed. The project team is likely to divert River Swat after completion of the river-closure-dyke in a few days.

Despite high flow season full effort is being made to achieve this significant milestone, said a press release.

With this significant development in the offing coupled with other multiple construction activities going on at the project, Chairman WAPDA Engr Lt Gen Sajjad Ghani (Retd) visited Mohmand Dam Hydropower Project and reviewed construction progress on the project.

WAPDA all sets for diversion of River Swat in a few days

He had a detailed visit of various work fronts which included diversion tunnels’ outlets and inlets, powerhouse, spillway and power intake to inspect the construction activities.

GM/PD Mohmand Dam Project with his team and representatives of the Consultants and Contractors briefed the Chairman on progress of each work front.

The Chairman was briefed that concrete lining of diversion tunnel 3/1 has been completed; its inlet structure is also ready for river diversion, while excavation and rock support of the powerhouse and power intake, and concreting at the spillway are also progressing at a faster pace. He was further briefed that the dam fill material has also been sent to China as per the schedule for large scale tri-axial testing.

The Chairman also presided over a progress review meeting at the project office with team WAPDA, the Consultants and the Contractors. The river diversion plan, quarries development plan and construction schedule of the main dam were discussed in detail during the meeting. The Chairman directed the Consultants and the Contractors to ensure that quality of work is in accordance with the specifications.

It is important to note that WAPDA is constructing Mohmand Dam Project across River Swat in Mohmand District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is the 5th highest concrete-face-rock-fill dam (CFRD) in the world and first highest CFRD in Pakistan. The project is scheduled for completion in 2026-27.

Mohmand Dam is a multipurpose project, which will store water for agriculture, control floods, supply water to Peshawar for urban use and generate green, clean and economically affordable hydel electricity. Mohmand Dam will store 1.29 MAF of water to irrigate 18,237 acres of new land in Mohmand and Charsadda and supplement irrigation supplies to 160,000 acres of existing land. The project has an installed power capacity of 800 MW with annual energy generation of 2.86 billion units of electricity. It will also provide 300 million gallons water per day to Peshawar for drinking purpose. Annual benefits of the project are estimated at Rs. 51.6 billion.

PDWP approves development scheme worth Rs 213b

By
Ali Ali
-
0
LAHORE, Aug 12 (APP):Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) in its 16th meeting of current financial year, approved a development scheme of irrigation sector with an estimated cost of Rs 213,000 million, here on Monday.
Presided over by P&D Board Chairman Barrister Nabeel Ahmad Awan, the meeting approved the following schemes:
Construction of Cholistan Canal and its System at the cost of Rs 213,000 million.
P&D Board Secretary Dr Asif Tufail, Chief Economist Dr Nasir Iqbal Malik, Members P&D Board, heads and other senior representatives of the relevant provincial departments attended the meeting.

CM Bugti cuts cake on occasion of National Minority Rights Day

By
Ali Ali
-
0
Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti
QUETTA, Aug 12 (APP):Balochistan Chief Minister (CM) Mir Sarfraz Bugti on Monday cut the cake on the occasion of National Minority Rights Day organized by Parliamentary Secretary Minority Affairs Sanjay Kumar and Hindu Minority.
 Addressing the ceremony, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti said that the minorities in Balochistan have full protection and there were pleasant and respectful relations between the local people of the minorities living in the province for centuries.
 He said that the Balochistan government was trying to create such development and social welfare projects in consultation with the minority representatives for the welfare and well-being of the minorities.
.

Punjab cabinet to approve LG law draft soon: Minister

By
Ali Ali
-
0
LAHORE, Aug 12 (APP):Provincial Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq has said that the legislative process is underway to conduct local bodies elections in Punjab. There is ambiguity in the law made by the former government.
He was addressing a round table conference on the topic of local democratic governments. Civil society representatives, senior journalists and others also participated in the conference. The participants emphasized the need for early holding of local body elections in Punjab.
Minister Zeeshan Rafiq said that the Local Government Act 2019 called for the abolition of the Union Council, the basic unit of local bodies. He regretted that elected local bodies were not allowed to flourish in the past decades, but Muslim League-N has a track record of conducting local bodies elections during its tenure.
Zeeshan Rafiq reminded that Muhammad Nawaz Sharif strengthened the local bodies during his prime ministership, but the government that came after him sent the local bodies of the Muslim League-N government home. He said that under the supervision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the preparation for holding local body elections in Punjab is proceeding ahead. “Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has set up a high-level committee within a month of assuming power, which has studied various systems and sent the recommendations of the new bill to the cabinet.”, he said.
The Minister expressed the hope that the provincial cabinet will soon approve the draft law after which the matter will go to the Punjab Assembly. He termed the Local Government Act of the previous government as unworkable, adding that the division between cities and villages was abolished in this law, which created complexity in the system. “It is clear that cities have their own problems and rural populations have their own issues’, he added.
The Provincial Minister further told that Town Committee and Tehsil Council are being added in the new local bodies system. “We completed all this within a few months. In this regard, financial aspects are also taken into consideration”, he said. The Minister agreed that the task of repairing and rehabilitation of the streets should be the responsibility of the local representatives. “We want the new system to have no loopholes so that it will continue in the future too”, said Minister Rafiq.

CM meets Imam Masjid-e-Nabawi

By
Ali Ali
-
0

LAHORE, Aug 12 (APP):Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif accorded a warm welcome to the Imam Masjid-e-Nabawi Dr. Salah bin Muhammad Al Budair on his arrival at the Chief Minister’s Office here on Monday.
The CM said, “On behalf of people of Punjab, I welcome your highness, Pakistan is your home.” She also prayed for the health and long life of the Saudi King, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. The CM said the friendship of the Saudi royal family with her father Muhammad Nawaz Sharif is enviable. She added, “I follow Hazrat Umar Farooq’s (RA) governance model. Hazrat Umar Farooq (RA) was a beacon of light for the rulers. Our powerhouse is in Madinah. I don’t know much about Lahore, but I know about every street in Madinah.”
CM Maryam Nawaz noted that the meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman along with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif was great. She added, “Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman wants to serve his people which is my mission as well. Prince Muhammad bin Salman is serving the people of Saudi Arabia with sincerity,” she said.
The CM said, “After the Qur’an and Sunnah, we take guidance from Imam of Kaaba and Imam of the Prophet’s Mosque in Saudi Arabia.” She added listening to the recitation of Imam Dr. Salah bin Muhammad Al-Budair, one’s grief fades away and one’s faith is revitalised. She underscored visiting Imam of Masjid-e-Nabawi is a great honour for every Pakistani.
Imam Masjid-e-Nabawi Dr. Salah bin Muhammad Al-Budair expressed good wishes for the people of Punjab from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the people of Madinah. He thanked Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif for the warm welcome, and said that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are like two pole stars shining together in the sky. He added Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are strategic friends, they were in the past and will be in the future. He highlighted Muhammad Nawaz Sharif is a friend of Pakistan, his leadership is a source of improvement and prosperity for Pakistan. “Maryam Nawaz Sharif is following in his footsteps as a daughter.”
Dr. Salah bin Muhammad Al-Budair said, “I was overjoyed at listening to the speech of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, I pray may Allah keep her love for Pakistani people intact.”
Dr. Salah bin Muhammad Al-Budair was given full hospitality on arrival in Punjab. He called Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif his sister and invited her to visit Madinah Munawara. He also prayed for the development of Pakistan, the prosperity of its people and the blessing of good fortune on them.
Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Maliki, DG Ministry of Islamic Affairs Mehtab Muhammad Al-Gadaei, Abdul Rahman Abdul Karim Al Harbi, Director of Protocol Hani Obaidul Ramzani and Public Relations and Protocol Officer Zahid Malik were present in the meeting. Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman, Principal Secretary to CM Sajid Zafar Dal and other relevant officers were also present.

LDA seals 40 properties

By
Ali Ali
-
0
LAHORE, Aug 12 (APP):Lahore Development Authority (LDA) on Monday sealed another 40 properties during an operation against commercial fee defaulters and illegal commercial usage in Shadman and Gulshan Ravi.
On the directives of DG LDA Tahir Farooq, the LDA teams took action and sealed properties include private schools, offices, shops, academies, and other establishments.
These properties were found to be defaulters of millions of rupees in commercialization fees. The operation was led by Director Town Planning Zone II under the supervision of Chief Town Planner I, Asad Ul Zaman. Prior to the operation, multiple notices had been issued to the owners of these properties.

Mohmand Dam Project: WAPDA all set for river diversion in a few days

By
Ali Ali
-
0
LAHORE, Aug 12 (APP):WAPDA is all set for diversion of Swat River at Mohmand Dam Hydropower Project, as the diversion tunnels have been completed. The project team is likely to divert River Swat after completion of the river-closure-dyke in a few days. Despite high flow season full effort is being made to achieve this significant milestone.
With this significant development in the offing coupled with other multiple construction activities going on at the project, Chairman WAPDA Engr Lt Gen (Retd) Sajjad Ghani visited Mohmand Dam Hydropower Project and reviewed construction progress on the project. He had a detailed visit of the various work fronts which included diversion tunnels’ outlets and inlets, powerhouse, spillway and power intake to inspect the construction activities, the WAPDA spokesman told media here Monday.
GM/PD Mohmand Dam Project with his team and representatives of the Consultants and Contractors briefed the Chairman on progress of each work front.
The Chairman was briefed that concrete lining of diversion tunnel 3/1 has been completed; its inlet structure is also ready for river diversion, while excavation and rock support of the powerhouse and power intake, and concreting at the spillway are also progressing at a faster pace. He was further briefed that the dam fill material has also been sent to China as per the schedule for large scale tri-axial testing.
The Chairman also presided over a progress review meeting at the project office with team WAPDA, the Consultants and the Contractors. The river diversion plan, quarries development plan and construction schedule of the main dam were discussed in detail during the meeting. The Chairman directed the Consultants and the Contractors to ensure that quality of work is in accordance with the specifications.
It is important to note that WAPDA is constructing Mohmand Dam Project across River Swat in Mohmand District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is the 5th highest concrete-face-rock-fill dam (CFRD) in the world and first highest CFRD in Pakistan. The project is scheduled for completion in 2026-27.
Mohmand Dam is a multipurpose project, which will store water for agriculture, control floods, supply water to Peshawar for urban use and generate green, clean and economically affordable hydel electricity. Mohmand Dam will store 1.29 MAF of water to irrigate 18,237 acres of new land in Mohmand and Charsadda and supplement irrigation supplies to 160,000 acres of existing land. The project has an installed power capacity of 800 MW with annual energy generation of 2.86 billion units of electricity. It will also provide 300 million gallons water per day to Peshawar for drinking purpose. Annual benefits of the project are estimated at Rs. 51.6 billion.
1...8,4398,4408,441...31,097Page 8,440 of 31,097

ABOUT US

Serving the nation since 1947 by providing an accurate, objective, uninterrupted flow of news to the people, the national news service is pursuing a comprehensive strategy to transform the existing news operations into a forward-looking service – APP Digital for its diverse subscriber-base and the public.

Contact us: news@app.com.pk

FOLLOW US

Copyright © Associated Press of Pakistan