ISLAMABAD: Commissioner Karachi Iftikhar Shallwani said on Thursday that Karachi will stand out as the “Cricket City” during the upcoming season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
The title was given to the city during a meeting on Thursday wherein Shallwani was briefed about PSL’s fourth edition which will take place from February 14 to March 17.
The T20 tournament will span across Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi in the UAE leg, before moving to Lahore and Karachi for the final eight matches.
A statement released by the Deputy Commissioner of the Karachi division said that Karachi’s National Stadium will host a total of five matches, with the first to take place on March 7 when the Karachi Kings will take on the Peshawar Zalmi.
The other four matches will see the Karachi Kings against the Quetta Gladiators on March 10, Qualifier 1 against Qualifier 2 on March 13, Eliminator 2 on March 15 and the final on March 17.
The Qaddafi Stadium in Lahore will host the Lahore Qalandars when they go head to head with the Islamabad United on March 9. It will then be the Lahore Qalandars against the sixth team on March 10 and Eliminator 1 (3 versus 4) on March 12.
In order to ensure that the PSL season remains a success, the commissioner said that images of cricket legends will be displayed across different parts of the metropolis during the length of the tournament.
“Special measures are being taken to make the PSL matches successful and memorable,” Shallwani said. “The surroundings of National Stadium and different areas as well as roads and intersections of the metropolis will be decorated.”
With the help of former test cricketer Sadiq Muhammad, the commissioner said that measures are being taken to live stream the matches in different parks of the city. “Such live streaming would be arranged at about 10 parks where cricket lovers can watch PSL matches,” Shallwani added.
‘Cricket City’ all set to enthrall crowds with PSL’s fourth chapter
‘Cricket City’ all set to enthrall crowds with PSL’s fourth chapter
- Karachi’s National Stadium will host five matches of the popular event
- Measures in place live stream the games, commissioner says
Pakistan raises fuel prices by Rs55 per liter as Middle East conflict drives oil surge
- Government says adequate fuel stocks in place despite global energy shock
- Oil prices jump from about $78 to over $106 per barrel amid regional conflict
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday increased petrol and diesel prices by Rs55 ($0.20) per liter each as escalating conflict in the Middle East sent global oil prices sharply higher and disrupted energy supply routes, officials said.
Global oil markets have been rattled since coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran began last week, triggering retaliatory attacks across the region, raising fears of disruption to key energy shipping routes and pushing petroleum prices sharply upward.
The price adjustment in Pakistan was announced after a joint press conference by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, who said the government was monitoring international energy markets and domestic supply conditions amid the crisis.
“So, the decision we have made by changing the levy a little bit is that we are going ahead with increasing the price of both fuels, petrol and diesel, by Rs55 ($0.20),” Malik told reporters.
“And as soon as this matter settles, we will revise the prices downward with the same speed and take steps on how to increase people’s income and purchasing power.”
He said Pakistan entered the crisis with “comfortable energy reserves” due to earlier planning but rising global prices had forced the government to adjust domestic fuel rates to maintain supply continuity.
He said international petrol prices had climbed from roughly $78 per barrel on March 1 to around $106.8 per barrel, while diesel prices had risen to about $150 per barrel.
Malik added that the government had taken steps to minimize the burden on consumers, noting diesel plays a critical role in agriculture, transportation and public mobility.
Malik also warned that authorities would take strict action against anyone attempting to hoard fuel or manipulate supply for profiteering.
The minister said Pakistan was working with international partners to secure additional energy supplies, including arrangements with Saudi Aramco and the use of Pakistan National Shipping Corporation vessels to transport crude oil imports.
Finance Minister Aurangzeb said a high-level government committee formed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had been meeting daily to review developments in global petroleum markets and their potential impact on Pakistan’s economy.
“Pakistan currently maintains adequate energy stocks and macroeconomic stability,” Aurangzeb said, adding that the government’s response was based on preparedness rather than panic.
He said the committee, which includes senior ministers, the governor of the State Bank of Pakistan and other officials, was assessing short-, medium- and long-term implications of the crisis for inflation, foreign exchange reserves and broader economic indicators.
Deputy PM Dar said the regional conflict had significantly disrupted global energy markets, with international petroleum prices rising by as much as 50–70 percent in recent days.
The deputy prime minister added that Pakistan was also engaged in diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions and restoring stability in the region.
Petroleum prices will now be reviewed more frequently, potentially on a weekly basis, and any reduction in global oil prices would be passed on to consumers.
Pakistan, which relies heavily on imported fuel to meet its energy needs, is particularly vulnerable to global oil price shocks that can quickly feed into inflation and pressure the country’s external accounts.
