ISLAMABAD: The US government on Friday hailed the opening of the Kartarpur corridor after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan set the foundation stone to kickstart the construction of the project on Wednesday.
During the daily news briefing, on Thursday, Robert Palladino, US State Department Deputy Spokesman said: “I understand that it’s kind of a visa-free way for Indians to visit this important Sikh site. And of course, the United States – we would welcome efforts to increase people-to-people ties between India and Pakistan.”
Palladino was responding to questions on the construction of the corridor which will connect Darbar Sahib in Pakistan’s Kartarpur, the final resting place of Sikhism’s founder, Guru Nanak Dev, with the Dera Baba Nanak shrine in the Gurdaspur district of India.
The inauguration ceremony on Wednesday was attended by a few political leaders from India, including Cabinet Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Union Minister for State Hardeep Singh Puri.
Khan, in his address, had urged both Pakistan and India that the corridor was an opportunity for both the countries to move ahead. However, while New Delhi welcomed Islamabad’s plans to build the corridor, it refused an invitation to attend the Saarc summit or to resume the bilateral dialogue.
US hails decision to construct Kartarpur corridor
US hails decision to construct Kartarpur corridor
- State Department officials welcome efforts to increase people-to-people ties
- Pakistan PM Khan inaugurated the project this week
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.
