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  • Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem makes history by advancing to javelin final at Tokyo Olympics 


Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem makes history by advancing to javelin final at Tokyo Olympics 

Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem competes in the men's javelin throw qualification during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo on August 4, 2021. (REUTERS)
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Updated 04 August 2021
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Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem makes history by advancing to javelin final at Tokyo Olympics 

  • Nadeem is the first Pakistani athlete in history to qualify for the final of any track and field event at the Olympics
  • He threw to a distance of 86.39m, his personal best, setting national record during Iran’s Imam Reza contest this year
Updated 04 August 2021
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem created history on Wednesday when he went through to the final of the men’s javelin at the Tokyo Olympics, to be held on August 7.
India’s Neeraj Chopra, the 2018 Commonwealth champion, also qualified with his first throw of the morning at 86.65 meters, while world leader Germany’s Johannes Vetter also advanced.
Nadeem is the first Pakistani athlete in history to qualify for the final of any track and field event at the Olympics.
The Pakistan Olympic Association said Nadeem had, with a “tremendous throw of 85.16 meters,” secured third place in the qualifying round.
“Lt. Gen (R) Syed Arif Hasan, President Pakistan Olympic Association congratulates Mr. Arshad Nadeem and his coach Mr. Syed Fiaz Hussain Bokhari for exceptional performance securing third position in the qualifying round and expressed best wishes for the finals,” POA said in a tweet.

“He was placed in group B for the contest in which the athlete had to throw a minimum of 83.5m to directly qualify for the final,” Geo News reported. “Only six athletes could do so, and Arshad was one of them while the rest of the six athletes advanced to the finals on basis of their respective farthest throw.”
In his first attempt, the 24-year-old Pakistani athlete could reach the 78.5m mark but in the second attempt, he “created history with a throw of 85.16m that also placed him on top of group B.”
Earlier this year, Arshad threw the javelin to a distance of 86.39m, his personal best, setting a national record during the Imam Reza championship in Iran. Earlier in 2019, he threw 86.29m at the South Asian Games in Nepal.
“So, one can safely say that Arshad’s best is yet to come and hope that the best comes at the final on 7th August, which is scheduled to commence at 4:00pm Pakistan time,” Geo News said.
The javelin world record at the Olympics is 90.57m by Norway’s Andreas Thorkildsen.

Topics: Pakistan Arshad Nadeem Javelin throw Olympics 2020

‘Zindagi Tamasha’ selected as first Pakistani full-length film to premiere on TikTok

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‘Zindagi Tamasha’ selected as first Pakistani full-length film to premiere on TikTok

  • Controversial yet critically-acclaimed movie explores prevalent gender roles in Pakistani society 
  • Pakistani film has been divided into 12-15 segments each over a minute long, says TikTok
Updated 7 sec ago
KHURSHID AHMED   

KARACHI: “Zindagi Tamasha” been selected as the first full-length Pakistani film to be released on TikTok, the platform confirmed on Tuesday, describing the development as a “milestone” in the country’s entertainment landscape. 

The 2019 movie which translates into “Circus of Life” in Urdu, was directed by acclaimed Pakistani actor, director and producer Sarmad Khoosat. The film’s protagonist is a male religious devout who is criticized by members of the society for loving to dance effeminately. The film explores the prevalent gender roles in Pakistani society. 

The controversial film garnered international acclaim, winning prestigious awards including the Kim Ji-Seok Award at the Busan International Film Festival, and the Snow Leopard Awards for Best Film at the 6th Asian World Film Festival in Los Angeles. Zindagi Tamasha was also officially selected as Pakistan’s submission for the 93rd Academy Awards.

“TikTok has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Khoosat Films led by the director Sarmad Khoosat,” the social media platform said in a press release. “Zindagi Tamasha becomes the first full-length movie to be released on the short-form video platform.”

TikTok said the partnership means it would be designated as the film’s official entertainment partner, adding that it would be divided into 12-15 segments with each one over a minute long. However, it did not specify a date for when the film would premiere on the video platform. 

“All content related to the movie will be found under the hashtag #ZindagiTamasha on TikTok, making it easy for users to discover and engage with the content,” the platform said. 

It said the movie’s release on TikTok will be accompanied by exclusive content from Khoosat and the film’s leading actors, further enriching the user experience.

“Our film inspires kindness, promotes tolerance, and encourages peace,” Khoosat was quoted as saying by TikTok. “I’m thrilled it will be the first Pakistani film officially released on TikTok and we cannot wait for the platform’s vibrant global community to enjoy the movie.”

Head of Content Operations and Marketing for Pakistan at TikTok, Saif Mujahid, said the video platform was excited to partner with Khoosat Films.

“At TikTok, we are committed to supporting diverse and authentic storytelling, and we look forward to showcasing the best of Pakistani cinema with Khoosat Films,” he said. “Our in-app activations will offer users innovative ways to engage with the film, and we eagerly anticipate the community’s reaction to this much-anticipated release.”

Topics: zindagi tamasha

Pakistan names final football squad for World Cup qualifiers against Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan

Updated 04 June 2024
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Pakistan names final football squad for World Cup qualifiers against Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan

  • Pakistan will face Saudi Arabia men’s football team in Islamabad on June 6
  • South Asian country will take on Tajikistan on June 11 in Dushanbe in away fixture
Updated 04 June 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) on Tuesday announced the names of the final men’s squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Saudi Arabia and Tajikistan, days before Pakistan plays home and away fixtures against the two teams. 

Pakistan will face Saudi Arabia at Islamabad’s Jinnah Football Stadium on June 6 in round 2 of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The clash takes place months after Saudi Arabia thumped Pakistan 4-0 in the first leg of the qualifying matches when the Group G sides faced off at Al Ahsa city in November 2023.

Pakistan suffered another setback in round one of the qualifiers when they lost 6-1 to Tajikistan in Islamabad days after losing to Saudi Arabia. The green shirts will face Tajikistan on June 11 in Dushanbe in what will be their final round 2 away fixture. The South Asian country are in Group G of the World Cup qualifiers with Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Tajikistan. 

“The PFF has named the final national men’s squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier Round 2 matches against Saudi Arabia and Tajikistan,” the PFF said in a statement.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Yousuf Butt (D), Saqib Hanif and Hassan Ali

Defenders: Abdullah Iqbal (D), Mohammad Fazal (D), Haseeb Khan, Rao Omer Hayat, Mamoon Moosa, Mohammad Saddam, Waqar Ihtisham, Moin Ahmed and Abdul Rehman

Midfielders: Rahis Nabi (D), Otis Khan (D), Ali Uzair, Umair Ali, Toqeer ul Hassan, Alamgir Ghazi and Ali Zafar

Forwards: Imran Kayani (D), McKeal Abdulah, Fareedulah, Adeel Younas and Shayak Dost

In the second round of the qualifiers, a total of 36 football squads have been split into nine groups with four teams each. The winners and runners-up from each group would go through to the third round.
Fans can buy tickets for Pakistan’s match against Saudi Arabia on Bookme.pk. 

Topics: Pakistan football team FIFA World Cup qualifiers

Pakistan successfully tests calibration aircraft at Gwadar airport in key step toward its completion

Updated 04 June 2024
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Pakistan successfully tests calibration aircraft at Gwadar airport in key step toward its completion

  • Pakistan expects Gwadar international airport to be operational by fourth quarter of this year
  • Gwadar is a key part of $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor energy corridor in Pakistan
Updated 04 June 2024
Shahjahan Khurram

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani and Chinese teams collaborated on Tuesday to successfully test land a calibration aircraft at the New Gwadar International Airport (NGIAP), the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) said, marking a key milestone in the completion of the project expected to be operational by the fourth quarter of this year. 

The NGIAP is a is a greenfield airport being built in Pakistan’s southwestern port city of Gwadar. The airport, which will handle domestic and international flights, is a joint venture between Pakistan, Oman, and China. The airport is an important part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), an energy and infrastructure corridor between the two countries. CPEC is a flagship of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative through which it has pledged over $60 billion in Pakistan.

“The Flight Calibration and Flight Procedure Design milestone for the New Gwadar International Airport has been successfully achieved today with the successful test landing of the Calibration Aircraft on the newly constructed runway,” the PCAA said in a press statement. 

It added that the calibration aircraft was welcomed to the airport with a customary water cannon salute by the PCAA’s Rescue and Fire Fighting Services department. 

“This significant accomplishment is the result of the collaborative efforts of both the Chinese and Pakistani Project Teams,” the statement said. “The airport is projected to be completed and operational in the fourth quarter of this year.”

The press release said that apart from the Pakistani and Chinese project teams, the PCAA’s technical directorates and Flight Inspection Unit (FIU) played a crucial role in achieving the milestone within a short timeframe.

“The completion of the New Gwadar International Airport is expected to have a transformative impact on the development of Gwadar and its surrounding areas, as well as improve the lives of the people of Balochistan province and the coastal region,” it added. 

The airport, which is being built across 4,300 acres of land, is expected to be one of the biggest in Pakistan. According to the PCAA, it will also become the nation’s second airport capable of handling an A380 aircraft. 

Chinese investment and financial support for Pakistan since 2013 have been key for the South Asian nation’s struggling economy, including the rolling over of loans so that Islamabad is able to meet external financing needs at a time its foreign reserves are critically low.
In recent months, Pakistan has bolstered efforts to attract foreign investment in key economic sectors such as minerals, agriculture, tourism and others in its bid to stabilize its fragile $350 billion economy. The South Asian country has also sought to enhance bilateral ties with Central Asian states such as Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan as it aims to increase regional trade and improve connectivity. 

Topics: Gwadar Gwadar airport

Pakistan fines six food companies catering for its Hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia 

Updated 04 June 2024
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Pakistan fines six food companies catering for its Hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia 

  • 17 penalties amounting to SAR 263,580 imposed on catering companies
  • Penalties imposed for failing to ensure timely and hygienic food to pilgrims 
Updated 04 June 2024
Hasaan Ali Khan

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Hajj Mission (PHM) has imposed 17 penalties amounting to SAR 263,580 ($71,000) on six catering companies contracted to provide meals to Pakistani pilgrims in Makkah, state-run media reported on Tuesday.
Nine catering companies have been employed by the Pakistan Hajj Mission to fulfill the food demands of approximately 70,105 pilgrims who will be performing Hajj under the government scheme this year. More than 55,990 have already arrived in Saudi Arabia via 217 flights since May 9.
Pakistan has a Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims this year, of which around 70,000 people will perform the pilgrimage under the government scheme, while the rest will use private tour operators.
“Most of the penalties are imposed for violating certain elements of the agreement and to ensure timely hygienic food to the pilgrims without any interruption in the supply chain,” the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said, quoting officials at PHM.
The report said PHM staff were closely monitoring hygiene conditions and food quality, and that meals were being provided timely.
Catering companies were selected after a competitive and transparent bidding process to provide the safest and healthiest food to pilgrims: “This rigorous evaluation is an integral part of the initial phase of meal provision, ensuring a thorough preparation process,” APP said. 
The hiring process for caterers was initiated in November last year after the federal cabinet’s approval that quality food would be provided at a rate of SAR 35 per person for a day. 
PHM officials said food coordinators were carrying out continuous surveillance during food preparation and round-the-clock monitoring of kitchens. The quality and quantity of food were rechecked upon arrival at residential buildings and hotels where the pilgrims were being accommodated by the mission. The daily menu includes both Pakistani and continental cuisines while serving times were flexible to avoid rush. Foods on the menu include meat, lentils, vegetables, rice, two types of bread, yogurt, fruit, sweets, tea and water.
APP said the feedback mechanism included a digital app that had so far received and resolved 506 food-related complaints. Manually registered complaints were also being resolved while a 400-member dedicated Pakistan Hajj Medical Mission (PHMM) was also on the ground. 
Pakistan has also established two hospitals and 11 dispensaries in the Saudi cities of Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah to provide health care to Hajj pilgrims.
This year’s pilgrimage is expected to run from June 14-19. Pakistan’s pre-Hajj flight operation, which began on May 9, will continue until June 9.

Topics: Pakistan Hajj mission

Police official deployed with polio team fatally shot in Pakistan’s northwest amid rising militant violence

Updated 04 June 2024
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Police official deployed with polio team fatally shot in Pakistan’s northwest amid rising militant violence

  • Over 200 police personnel have been killed in targeted attacks by unidentified individuals in KP during two years
  • While no group has immediately claimed responsibility for the latest killing, suspicion is likely to fall on the TTP
Updated 04 June 2024
REHMAT MEHSUD

PESHAWAR: Unidentified gunmen on a motorbike fatally shot a police official heading to his duty to provide protection to a polio team in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on Tuesday, bringing the total number of police personnel killed in such targeted attacks in the province to 56 this year.
According to the police, the incident occurred in Peshawar, where another constable was gunned down last Wednesday.
The latest killings come at a time of renewed militant violence in Pakistan’s two western provinces since the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) called off its fragile truce with the government in November 2022.
“Shah Nawaz, the slain police officer who was deputed to guard a polio team, came under attack early morning in the jurisdiction of Badhaber Police Station,” confirmed Safeer Khan, a police spokesperson. “The case is under investigation for us to determine if it was the work of militants because the slain policeman also had some enmities.”
While no group has immediately claimed responsibility for the latest killing, suspicion is likely to fall on the TTP, which has claimed dozens of recent attacks in the country’s militancy-prone northwest.
KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur condemned the attack, directing the police to apprehend the perpetrators behind the killing, according to a statement released by his office.
“These kinds of dastardly acts cannot demoralize the police force,” Gandapur said. “Financial assistance should be extended to the bereaved family of the martyred police officer.”
The killing came amid a mounting wave of attacks on KP police in recent days.
Last week, a senior police officer told Arab News that over 200 of his colleagues had been killed in targeted attacks and ambushes by unidentified individuals in the last two years.
Going by the numbers shared by him, the latest killing has brought the total number of police officers martyred in targeted killings to 56.
Unidentified gunmen also shot dead a policeman in the restive North Waziristan tribal district in May, while six people, including five officials of the customs department, were killed and another wounded when gunmen opened fire on their vehicle in the southern Dera Ismail Khan district of the restive province.
Pakistan has frequently blamed such violence on militants hiding in Afghanistan.
However, Kabul denies the militant presence, blaming Islamabad for not being able to handle its own security challenges.

Topics: Pakistan Polio Service

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