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Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi passes away in Lahore

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ISLAMABAD, Nov 19 (APP): APP Digital NewsAllama Khadim Hussain Rizvi, the leader of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan breathed his last Thursday night at Lahore, his party announced. He was 55.

No reason for his death was given. His party officials said he was rushed to a hospital after he had problem breathing and had fever for past few days. However he was pronounced dead when he arrived at the hospital.

Senior TLP leader Syed Inayat-ul-Haq Shah also confirmed the news and asked the TLP workers to proceed to Lahore to participate in his last rites. The Tehreek-e-Labbaik announced that his funeral would be held on Saturday at 10 in the morning at Minar-e-Pakistan.

Videos on several social media accounts showed large number of his followers rushing to his home and crying over his sad demise.

The fire brand clerk was known for his protest marches, that often became violent and created law and order problems. His last protest was relatively shorter at Faizabad and ended only after a two day blockade of the twin cities on Monday.

Immediately after the confirmation of the news condolences poured in from all sections of society; including the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister, Information Minister, Chief of Army Staff, Chief Minister Punjab and political leaders of many parties.

Prime Minister Imran Khan in a tweet expressed his grief over the sad demise of Allama Khadim Rizvi and conveyed condolences to his family.

Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa also conveyed his condolences over the demise of the TLP leader.

 

Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Information in Punjab also expressed grief over his sad demise.

Amir Jamat Islami also expressed his grief and prayed to Allah Almighty to bless the departed soul.

Prime Minister Imran Khan’s consistent stance on Kashmir

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Prime Minister Imran Khan’s stance on Kashmir at international fora to highlight gruesome human rights violations by India

 

Indian media’s fake “civil war” in Pakistan, falls flat on face

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APP Digital Small logo
By Shafek Koreshe

In an abortive attempt to create diversion from Narendra Modi’s human rights abuses in Kashmir, the Indian media went berserk by propagating fake news about a “civil war” like situation in Karachi, triggering a hilarious response from the twitterati in Pakistan, who enjoyed every bit of the ridiculous reports.

#CivilWarInPakistan and #KarachiCivilWar were in no time the top trends, with the young twitter users going crazy by posting video clips from action movies, comics, images of the Indian MiG pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, shot down by Pakistan Air Force inside Pakistan’s territory, as scenes from the Civil War, getting an equally enthusiastic response with numerous retweets and likes.

The arrest of PML-N leader Captain (Retd) Safdar on charges of political sloganeering at Quaid’s Mausoleum and leave applications by senior police officers was exploited by the top Indian news channels, who portrayed an administrative issue as a “civil war” and went to the extent of even reporting casualties, and armed clashes.

Indian Media ditches professionalism to dip at to its lowest 

#FakeNews CNN18News
#FakeNews CNN18News

The news reports were part of a persistent barrage of fake news from Indian mainstream media and its RAW controlled assets on social media over the past few months. The trend has witnessed a sharp spike as part of India’s fifth generation war (5GW) against Pakistan.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office on the “malicious and fabricated propaganda” by Indian mainstream and social media claiming civil unrest in Pakistan, said planting such baseless stories were reflective of the “Pakistan-obsessed BJP-RSS” mindset.

“Needless to say that Indian media continues to hit new lows,” he said, when asked to respond over the series of fake news flashed as breaking news across the Indian media about a “civil war in Pakistan”.

“Indian media continues to hit new lows”: FO

The Spokesperson said through “peddling fake news and running propaganda machinery”, India could not wash away the truth about its own gross and systematic human rights violations in Indian Ilelgally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

“Rather than reporting on humanitarian crisis in IIOJK, the Indian media chooses to spread fake and sensational news about Pakistan to detract from core issues,” he said.

5th Gen War – Twitterati bust RAW’s #Fake letter attributed to COAS

 

#FakeNews - Yet another figment of imagination of Indian Media
#FakeNews – Yet another figment of imagination of Indian Media

The Indian media tried hard to appease its own consumers and to create a diversion from its human rights abuses in occupied Kashmir. However in its abortive attempt it created history by churning out fake news overpowered by the anti-Pakistan hysteria, undermining its professional ethics and credibility.

#FakeNews - India Today with its concocted news story
#FakeNews – India Today with its concocted news story

The unleashing of the Indian media did not go unnoticed, as Michael Kugelman, deputy director at the @AsiaProgram and South Asia senior associate @TheWilsonCenter in a tweet pointed that the Indian disinformation accounts were exploiting Pakistan’s current political crisis, and “falsely claiming that the country is no experiencing urban warfare.”

He described the trend as “dangerous and disturbing”, as several of these accounts were verified and had huge followings.

Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari said the Indian media was in “hyper drive with fake news on Pakistan” and regretted that it was “unfortunate that Twitter is [deliberately ignoring it].”

All major media outlets in so-called world’s biggest democracy decimated all journalistic norms as none bothered to fact-check such a huge gaffe. India’s News18, India Today, Zee News, India.com and several others quoted the International Herald which showed old videos of bomb explosions in Pakistan and portrayed it as the ongoing civil war.

#FakeNews - Indian International Herald tweet
#FakeNews – Indian International Herald tweet

The Institute of Policy Research in a report said their data indicates a pattern of Indian propaganda against Pakistan on digital media that grew exponentially after 2018 General Elections in #Pakistan. The propaganda hovers around largely 4 key themes.

IPRI Timeline of Indian Propaganda
IPRI Timeline of Indian Propaganda

Minister for Ports and Shipping pointed that the Indian propaganda was at its peak and “sadly fueled by the PDM Circus.” He said the food inflation was artificially manufactured, but was being brought under control.

Minister for Kashmir Affairs also lambasted the “fake, fabricated and malicious propaganda campaign to malign State institutions of Pakistan. He urged @Twitter to take action against Indian accounts for #FakeNews against Paksitan.

However, this idiocy of Indian media gave the Twitterati a perfect chance to enjoy as the microblogging site was flooded with messages to ridicule the Indian media’s insanity.

“Karachi civil war has gotten so bad that my food panda delivery boy had to crawl through mine fields carrying his AK47, RPG & 9mm along with my nihari and Biryani. This thing is getting so serious. Multiple cows have been killed & people are dying of over eating. #IndianMedia,” commented renowned singer Fakhr-e-Alam.

Besides numerous other fake photos, the Indian media also used an image of a building collapsed following a gas leakage blast in Karachi earlier in the day to substantiate its fake news of civil war.

“A little investigation would have informed Zee News that it wasn’t a bomb blast in ‘civil war’ in Pakistan but the result of a  gas leak in Karachi. Whither truth, objectivity, balance and fairness in reporting?,” said Farhatullah Babr, former senator of Pakistan Peoples Party which rules Sindh province.

“An Aircraft shot during civil war in Karachi… and the pilot captured…,” commented another Twitter user Fasihuddin while sharing the images of Indian aircraft MiG-21 and captured injured pilot Abhinandan following an aerial dogfight during India-Pakistan standoff in 2019.

Pakistan reiterates support for Yemen’s unity, opposes unilateral steps: FO

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ISLAMABAD, Jan 1 (APP): Pakistan on Thursday firmly reiterated its support for the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Yemen, urging all parties to pursue dialogue and diplomacy to achieve a lasting peaceful settlement, while warning against any unilateral actions that could escalate tensions and destabilize the region.

Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi, in his weekly press briefing, said that last evening, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Both leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening of the long-standing fraternal bonds between both countries that had attained new heights during recent months.

The two leaders also discussed and exchanged views on the regional situation and current developments. The prime minister emphasized upon the need to maintain unity and harmony among the ranks of the Ummah, in the midst of various current challenges. While expressing Pakistan’s complete solidarity with the Kingdom, the Prime Minister said that it was imperative to maintain regional peace and stability through dialogue and diplomacy.

Earlier, he said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar also held a telephone conversation Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan. Both leaders exchanged views on the current regional situation and recent developments.

Furthermore, the spokesperson pointed out that the top leadership of Pakistan and United Arab Emirates were also in close contact this week.

President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan undertook an official visit to Pakistan, at the invitation of PM Shehbaz Sharif.

He was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Ministers and senior officials. The two leaders met in Islamabad and later in Rahim Yar Khan.

During these meetings, views were exchanged on bilateral cooperation and a variety of subjects. The meeting capped off a year of extensive leadership-level engagements between Pakistan and the UAE. The visit of His Highness reflects the depth of bilateral relations between the two countries shared commitment of both sides to further enhancing collaboration in key areas, including trade, investment, energy, development and regional stability.

The spokesperson informed that Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq visited Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Wednesday to attend the State Funeral of Former Prime Minster of Bangladesh, Begum Khaleda Zia.

Speaker National Assembly visited the residence of the late former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, where he met her son, Tariq Rehman, and her daughter. He expressed grief and sorrow over the demise of Begum Khaleda Zia and conveyed condolences on behalf the people and leadership of Pakistan.

While in Dhaka, the Speaker National Assembly also met Bangladesh’s National Security Advisor Mr. Khalil ur Rehman, Advisor on Law and Justice, Mr. Asif Nazrul and Acting Chairman of BNP, Mr. Tarique Rahman.

As regards situation in Somalia, the foreign office spokesperson said that Pakistan strongly condemns any attempts to undermine the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Somalia, and rejects, in this regard, the announcement made by Israel recognizing the independence of the so-called Somaliland region of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

Pakistan reiterates its complete support for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, as well as for all efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace and stability in the country.

Pakistan also reiterates its unequivocal rejection of any steps aimed at the forced displacement of Palestinians from their land under any circumstances, and reaffirms its unwavering support for the Palestinian people in their just struggle for self-determination and for a sovereign, independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

Deputy PM Ishaq Dar joined the Foreign Ministers of Algeria, Comoros, Djibouti, The Gambia, Egypt, Kuwait, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Maldives, Nigeria, Oman, Palestine, the State of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Türkiye, Yemen, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, in issuing a joint statement underscored unequivocal rejection of Israel’s recognition of the “Somaliland” region of the Federal Republic of Somalia, condemnation in the strongest terms of such recognition, which constitutes a grave violation of the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter, full support of the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Somalia, recognition of parts of states constitutes a serious precedent and threatens international peace and security, and violates the cardinal principles of international law and the United Nations Charter, and full rejection of any potential link between such measure and any attempts to forcibly expel the Palestinian people out of their land, which is unequivocally rejected in any form as a matter of principle.

As regards situation in Afghanistan, he said since the closure of the border, Pakistan;s embassy and consulates have constantly been in touch with the Pakistani nationals in Afghanistan, including students, who sought assistance for their repatriation.

“Our Missions are also in contact with the Afghan authorities regarding their safety and wellbeing, and are coordinating with our relevant authorities to ensure their safe return,” he added.

As of now, 15 students and 291 individuals, who were in contact with our Embassy, have safely returned to Pakistan, for which our Embassy undertook requisite coordination with local authorities and offered necessary assistance.

To a question, the spokesperson said Pakistan will continue to adhere to the One-China principle and regard Taiwan as an inalienable part of China. “We urge relevant countries to abide by their historical commitments, take steps to foster peace, security and development in the Taiwan Strait and the broader region and refrain from measures that may aggravate tensions or undermine peace and stability in the region.”

To another question, he said reports regarding Indian plans to construct Dulhasti State-II Hydroelectric Project on the Chenab River raise serious concerns as no prior information or notification was shared with Pakistan with regard to this project as mandated under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) of 1960.

He said Pakistan called upon India to urgently return to treaty compliance and respond to the queries raised by our Indus Waters Commissioner in his latest as well as earlier communications.

IGP Rizvi lauds officers for effective New Year’s Night security

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ISLAMABAD, Jan 01 (APP): Inspector General of Police (IGP) Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi on Thursday praised officers and personnel of Islamabad Capital Territory Police for ensuring effective security and smooth traffic management across the federal capital on New Year’s Night.
A police official told APP that the IGP commended the professionalism and dedication shown by the force despite harsh weather conditions, saying their efforts helped maintain peace and order throughout the celebrations.
IGP Rizvi lauds officers for effective New Year’s Night security
He said that more than 3,500 Islamabad Police officers were deployed for security duties, while 350 officers were assigned to traffic management. Female police officers also actively performed duties in both security and traffic arrangements, while senior officers personally supervised deployments in their respective areas.
The IGP noted that traffic flow across the city remained smooth, with no major congestion reported at any location. He added that Quick Response Force (QRF) units stayed on high alert throughout the night to promptly deal with any untoward situation.
IGP Rizvi lauds officers for effective New Year’s Night security
Extending New Year 2026 greetings to citizens, Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi said the successful arrangements were made possible due to the cooperation of the public, for which the police were grateful.
He reaffirmed that Islamabad Police would take even stronger measures in the new year to further enhance the protection of citizens’ lives and property.

RPO vows to ensure implement ban on kite flying in region

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FAISALABAD, Jan 01 (APP):RPO Suhail Akhtar Sukhera has issued instructions to strictly implement the ban on kite flying and effective monitoring in all districts of the region.
He said that implementation of law and order should be implemented without discrimination, said spokesman here Thursday.
He issued instructions to the CPO Faisalabad, and DPOs of district Jhang, Toba Tek Singh and Chiniot to ensure the law which prohibited the kite flying and manufacturing.
He said that there is a complete ban on kite flying across the province under the “Kite Flying Regulations Bill-2025”. Cases should be registered immediately against the elements involved in kite flying, he added.
He further directed to ensure effective monitoring in their respective districts and sending reports on a daily basis to his office.
He directed to constitute special teams in coordination with the special branch to launch crackdown on violators.
He cleared that Illegal kite flying is a serious threat to human lives as well as public safety, therefore, zero-tolerance policy should be adopted against kite flying, adding that ensuring the safety of citizens’ lives and property should be the top priority of the police department.

Governor Kundi highlights shared security challenges of KP, Balochistan due to borders with Afghanistan

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PESHAWAR, Jan 01 (APP): Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Thursday said that KP and Balochistan face similar security challenges due to their shared borders with Afghanistan and common cultural linkages, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts to ensure lasting peace in both provinces.
He expressed these views while addressing the participants of the 18th National Workshop Balochistan visited the Governor House Peshawar. The delegation was led by Brigadier Bilal Ghafoor and comprised students and faculty members from various universities of Balochistan.
Welcoming the participants, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi extended New Year greetings and appreciated the initiative of bringing together youth and academia from different provinces.
During an interactive session, the workshop participants raised questions regarding the law and order situation, university affairs, development of the education sector, counter-terrorism measures, and the natural resources of the province.
Addressing the delegation, the Governor said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan share common cultural values and face similar security challenges due to their proximity to the Afghan border. He regretted that funds allocated for the war against terrorism were not utilized to enhance the capacity of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police.
He said that KP Police is a brave and highly professional force, but unfortunately it has not been provided with the modern weapons and facilities required to effectively counter terrorism.
The Governor added that the province is now facing Indian-backed terrorism from across the Afghan border, and political leaders across the province are deeply concerned about the deteriorating law and order situation in their respective areas.
Governor Kundi emphasized that sustainable peace is only possible through intelligence-based operations, questioning how terrorism can be eliminated without effective intelligence-led actions.
He expressed concern over hate-based propaganda against security institutions and stressed that political differences should be resolved within the political domain.
He further said that Afghan nationals have been found involved in several terrorist incidents in the province. Alongside security challenges, the Governor said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also suffered severe impacts of climate change over the past year.
Speaking on education, the Governor underlined the need for serious attention and concrete measures to improve the education sector.
He said that only Rs 4 billion has been allocated in the budget for 34 public sector universities of the province, adding that meaningful academic outcomes cannot be achieved without providing universities with adequate funding.
The Governor pointed out that despite the presence of oil, gas, and power generation resources, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has not been receiving its due share of benefits. “Instead of resolving issues, we are complicating them further,” he remarked.
Highlighting Pakistan’s improving global standing, Governor Kundi said that world leaders are visiting Pakistan, and all segments of society, including the business community, should benefit from these diplomatic engagements. He said Pakistan is currently witnessing success on the diplomatic front.
Referring to hydel power, he said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has vast potential in this sector. Concluding his address, the Governor said that educated youth are the country’s most valuable asset and it is through education, positive thinking, and skills that young people will lead Pakistan towards progress and prosperity.

Pakistan, India exchange lists of nuclear installations, facilities

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ISLAMABAD, Jan 1 (APP): Pakistan and India on Thursday exchanged the lists of their respective nuclear installations and facilities. The exchange took place pursuant to the Agreement on Prohibition of Attacks against Nuclear Installations and Facilities between Pakistan and India, according to a press release issued by the Foreign Office Spokesperson.
Accordingly, the list of nuclear installations and facilities in Pakistan was officially handed over to a representative of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Simultaneously, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs handed over the list of India’s nuclear installations and facilities to a representative of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.
The Agreement on Prohibition of Attacks against Nuclear Installations and Facilities between Pakistan and India, provides that both countries shall inform each other of their nuclear installations and facilities, falling within its definition, on 1st January of each calendar year.
The Agreement was signed on 31 December 1988, and entered into force on 27 January 1991. Both countries are exchanging the lists since 1st January 1992, the press release added.

PFA lodges 8 FIRs, seals 14 food points, imposes heavy fines

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LAHORE, Jan 01 (APP): The enforcement teams of Punjab Food Authority, under the directions of Director General Muhammad Asim Javaid, carried out extensive operations across Lahore zone at the start of the new year, inspecting 3,427 food units and points, registering eight FIRs, sealing 14 food businesses over serious violations, and imposing fines worth Rs2.05 million on 150 units for non-compliance with food laws.
Food safety teams conducted early morning operations in Badami Bagh and raided two honey units, discarded 160 kilograms of fake honey along with more than one maund of glucose recovered from the premises.
Director general said that inspections increased by 105 percent during 2025 as compared to previous years, with more than 1.35 million food points checked across Punjab. He said that 309 million litres of milk were tested during the year and 1,068 FIRs were registered against the milk adulteration mafia.
He said that from the beginning of the new year, uploading complete records related to water and milk quality, along with traceability, has been made mandatory on the digital portal. He stated that during the current year, slaughterhouses will be remodeled, digital monitoring will be strengthened and field operations will be supervised through new uniforms and body cameras.
DG further stated that the scope of the school meal program is being expanded, while a food laboratory and PFA House will be established in Rawalpindi. He said that the PFA is taking comprehensive measures to bring all stages from food preparation to transportation in line with international standards.
Director general said that on the directions of the Chief Minister Punjab, strict action is being taken across the province against food fraud, adding that PFA teams remain active round the clock to curb adulteration.

KP launches Pakistan’s first provincial university ranking system

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PESHAWAR, Jan 01 (APP): Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Higher Education Department has approved launch of Pakistan’s first provincial-level university ranking system marking it a major policy initiative aimed at improving academic quality, transparency and institutional performance across public universities in the province.
The approval was granted by Provincial Minister for Higher Education and Local Government Meena Khan Afridi. He said the ranking framework would introduce healthy competition among universities and encourage measurable improvements in governance, research and academic standards.
KP University Ranking System has been developed after reviewing leading international frameworks such as QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education (THE), as well as the national ranking criteria of the Higher Education Commission (HEC). Relevant indicators from these systems have been adapted to suit provincial requirements.
Under the new framework, all public sector universities in KP have been directed to submit required data through a prescribed proforma within one month. The first provincial ranking list is expected to be published in March.

Fake CM office personnel arrested

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SARGODHGA, Jan 01 (APP):A man impersonating an official from the Chief Minister’s Office was arrested on Thursday near Chak 47-NB, under the jurisdiction of the Cantonment Police Station.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), police were tipped off by locals who reported a suspicious individual allegedly posing as a CM office official. The man was found to be receiving written complaints from locals and stamping them with a fake seal from the Chief Minister’s Office.
Upon receiving the tip, police conducted a raid and apprehended the suspect, catching him red-handed with the forged stamp and several other fake documents.
The arrested man was identified as Muhammad Safder, son of Muhammad Iqbal, a resident of Muhammadi Colony, 49 Tail area. Police have filed an FIR against him under sections 419 (cheating by impersonation) and 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property).
Further investigation is ongoing.

Bahawalnagar-bound bus catches fire

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LAHORE, Jan 01 (APP):A Bahawalnagar-bound passenger bus caught fire near Pattoki on the national highway on Thursday. There were more than 45 passengers on board.
Due to timely action by the Motorway Police, all passengers remained safe and were evacuated.
A Motorway Police spokesperson said all 45 passengers were safely evacuated within a few minutes.

PCB stadium upgradation programme transforms cricketing landscape

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LAHORE, Jan 01 (APP): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) continued to strengthen Pakistan’s cricket infrastructure in 2025 through an ambitious programme of stadium renovation and development, reaffirming the country’s readiness to host major international events and enhancing facilities for players and fans alike.
Cricket grounds represent the identity and face of the game in any nation and guided by this philosophy, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi placed strong emphasis on upgrading Pakistan’s premier venues ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy – the first ICC event since 1996. Central to this vision was the comprehensive redevelopment of Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, which was completed in record time.
Players’ facilities were enhanced through new dressing rooms, while new enclosures and better access points have improved crowd movement and viewing experience. State-of-the-art LED floodlights and large digital screens further lifted broadcast and in-stadium standards. With the project completed ahead of its inauguration, Gaddafi Stadium successfully hosted international cricket, including tri-series matches involving New Zealand and South Africa, prior to the ICC Champions Trophy.
Karachi’s National Bank Stadium also underwent significant improvements during the year. New dressing rooms and hospitality boxes were constructed, LED lighting systems were upgraded and seating in various enclosures was modernised. In addition, the PCB approved a second phase of construction to further elevate the stadium’s facilities and overall appearance.
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium remained a key international venue, with additional facilities introduced for both players and spectators. Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium, returned to the international arena after a gap of 17 years by hosting an ODI series against South Africa.
As part of its long-term infrastructure roadmap, the PCB is progressing plans to develop Muzaffarabad as an international cricket centre and to construct a state-of-the-art cricket stadium in Islamabad, reflecting its continued commitment to sustainable growth and excellence in Pakistan cricket.