ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Monday discussed ways to bolster bilateral ties by way of increased cooperation in the fields of media and culture.
Shafqat Jalil, additional secretary in Pakistan’s Information Ministry, discussed with Saudi Culture and Information Minister Dr. Awad bin Saleh Al-Awad the importance of new media in the lives of youths, and exploring ways to tap into that.
“We have an independent and vibrant media, and in order to interact and engage with it — the Pakistani and Western mixture of it — we’d have to explore the entire gamut,” Jalil told Arab News.
“Our youths aren’t aware of the relationship we have with Saudi Arabia, and to take forward our relations it’s important to involve new media, be it Facebook, Western media, Twitter etc.,” he said.
“Media personalities from Radio Pakistan and Pakistan Television (PTV) will be extended an invitation for Hajj.”
When asked about a tentative timeline for projects and media exchanges, Jalil said Al-Awad is keen to start but is waiting for Pakistan’s new government to settle in. Al-Awad accepted Jalil’s invitation to visit Pakistan.
On Saturday, Jalil called for the unconditional restoration of the internationally recognized Yemeni government of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, and the withdrawal of rebel forces from territories seized by them, including the capital Sanaa.
“Pakistan supports all efforts for peace in Yemen, and urged all parties to return to the negotiation table,” Jalil said.
Pakistani, Saudi officials discuss bolstering ties via new media
Pakistani, Saudi officials discuss bolstering ties via new media
- Saudi Minister expressed keenness to evolve Pak-Saudi relationship by way of media exchanges
India captain says will travel for Pakistan clash despite boycott
- Pakistan have announced they will boycott their match against India on Feb. 15 in Sri Lanka
- India need to be at the stadium on Feb. 15 to ensure they are awarded two points for match
MUMBAI: India captain Suryakumar Yadav said Thursday that his team would show up in Colombo for their T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan, despite their Group A opponents and arch-rivals boycotting the match.
“We haven’t said no to playing them (Pakistan),” Yadav told reporters at Mumbai’s Wankhede stadium, where India will begin their campaign against the United States on Saturday’s opening day.
“They are the ones who have said no. Our flights are booked and we are going to Colombo.”
India need to be at the stadium and ready to take the field for the February 15 match in order to make sure of being awarded the two points for a match forfeit.
The tournament, co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India, has been overshadowed by weeks of political posturing in the build-up.
Bangladesh were kicked out for refusing to play in India and Pakistan’s government then told its team not to show up at the clash of the arch-rivals as a show of support for Bangladesh.
Pakistan and India have not played bilateral cricket for more than a decade, and meet only in global or regional tournaments events.
India start the T20 World Cup on home soil with a great chance of retaining the title they won two years ago and Yadav agreed they were the side to beat.
“The way we have been playing, it looks like we are the favorites,” he smiled.
If that seemed like an overconfident statement, the India captain was quick to caution: “There are 19 (other) good teams in the tournament, though.
“On a given day, when you play, you have to bring your A-game and play good cricket.”
India know that their opening opponents, the United States, caused the biggest upset of the 2024 tournament when they beat Pakistan in a super over.
Yadav said no team would be taken lightly.
“I’m sure every game will be very important,” he said.
