ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has asked authorities to provide extra security to candidates running in the July 25 general election.
This followed a presentation on Saturday by the head of the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA), Dr. Suleman Ahmad, to ECP officials on the security situation in the country and threats to candidates.
Pakistan has witnessed a surge in terrorist attacks in the run-up to the election. The authorities have named politicians whose lives are said to be in danger.
The ECP on Saturday said the election will take place as scheduled and campaigning nationwide will continue.
A NACTA official told a Senate committee that six leading candidates are in the crosshairs of terrorist groups seeking to disrupt the election process.
The six candidates are Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan; Asfandyar Wali and Ameer Haider Hoti of the Awami National Party; Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao of the Qaumi Watan Party; Akram Khan Durrani of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl; and Talha Saeed of Allah-o-Akbar Tehreek.
Last week, there was a botched attempt on Durrani’s life when his convoy was attacked in Bannu. Two suicide bombings killed politicians who were not on the aforementioned list.
Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari canceled his forthcoming public rallies due to the surge in violence.
ECP wants more security for election candidates
ECP wants more security for election candidates
- Pakistan has witnessed a surge in terrorist attacks in the run-up to the election
- A NACTA official told a Senate committee that six leading candidates are in the crosshairs of terrorist groups
PCB sets Feb. 11 as date for player auction for Pakistan Super League 11th edition
- The squad composition would be a minimum of 16 players and a maximum of 20
- The number of foreign players would be five to seven depending on the squad size
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday announced that the player auction for the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will be held on Feb. 11, setting the stage for franchises to begin assembling squads for the country’s premier Twenty20 tournament.
The development came after a workshop regarding PSL player auction at the Qaddafi Stadium, which was presided over by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and PSL CEO Salman Naseer.
The workshop was attended by PSL officials, all eight franchise representatives, members of Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad, PCB officials and other capped players.
“The HBL PSL management shared a detailed presentation on the mechanics of the retention and the auction process and consulted with all the participants,” the PCB said.
“It was agreed that the HBL PSL player auction will take place on Wednesday, 11 February.”
The squad composition would be a minimum of 16 players and maximum of 20 players per franchise. The number of foreign players would be five to seven depending on the squad size, according to the PCB.
It would be mandatory for the franchises to play minimum of three and maximum of four foreign players in the playing XI. The teams are also required to have minimum of two uncapped Under 23 players in the squad and one in the playing XI.
Players either retained or picked in the auction will be engaged for two-year contracts with their respective franchise teams, the board said, adding that franchise teams will be able to retain a maximum of seven players for the 12th edition of the tournament.
“I’m delighted that a consultative and productive session was held between the franchises, players and management today resulting in informed and strategic decisions which will pave the way for bright future for the HBL PSL,” Naqvi said.
“The Player Auction model is a landmark step for the HBL PSL, offering players better financial opportunities through an increased salary purse and a transparent acquisition process, while making the league more competitive and attractive.”
PSL CEO Naseer said the player auction system modernizes player recruitment by promoting fairness, transparency, and market-driven value, strengthening the PSL’s appeal for both players and franchises.
“Today’s workshop saw all views being taken into consideration and this rich feedback will be reflected in our execution of a successful player auction scheduled next month,” he said.
PSL has become a key pillar of the country’s cricket economy, providing financial stability to the PCB and serving as a talent pipeline for the national team. The 11th edition of the league is set to begin from Mar. 26 while the final is expected to be played on May 3, as per the PCB’s schedule.
