ISLAMABAD: Former unified light-welterweight world champion Amir Khan on Wednesday thanked Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman for giving him the opportunity to fight in Saudi Arabia, and praised his endeavors to promote sports activities in the Kingdom.
The boxer is currently in Pakistan. In July, he won the World Boxing Council international welterweight title by knocking out Australia’s Billy Dib at the inaugural Fight Night in Jeddah.
That fight, part of a series of events at Jeddah’s Season Festival, was only the second mega boxing event of it’s kind in Saudi Arabia, following last year’s fight in which British boxers Callum Smith and George Groves competed for the Muhammad Ali Trophy in Jeddah.
Khan has been vocal about his hopes that the Keddah event would catapult boxing to the center stage in the Middle East and make him the face of the sport in the region.
“I think [Crown Prince] Muhammad Bin Salman is an amazing person who has supported me in my fight in Saudi Arabia,” Khan told Arab News in an interview on Wednesday. “I am very happy that he helped me. He has given me the opportunity.”
Khan said he had played in many parts of the world but had always dreamt of playing in the Middle East and Asia.
“I always wanted to fight in the Middle East and Asia. I got this chance as KSA [Kingdom of Saudi Arabia] made this happen,” he said. “I want to thank the Saudi government for making this happen. I know it was Muhammad Bin Salman behind all this, for having me fight in Saudi Arabia. We have a great performance there, it was great entertainment.”
The internationally acclaimed British boxer said he was looking forward to a big match between unified world heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr and Anthony Joshua to be held on December 7, 2019, at a custom-built venue in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia.
“Everyone is very happy,” Khan said. “We can’t wait to go there (Saudi Arabia) at the end of the year.”
Boxer Amir Khan thanks crown prince for opportunity to play in Saudi Arabia
Boxer Amir Khan thanks crown prince for opportunity to play in Saudi Arabia
- Praises Crown Prince Salman’s endeavors to promote sports activities in the Kingdom
- Won World Boxing Council welterweight title against Australia’s Billy Dib in Jeddah this July
Pakistani, Bangladeshi officials discuss trade, investment and aviation as ties thaw
- Pakistan and Bangladesh were once one nation, but they split in 1971 as a result of a bloody civil war
- Ties between Pakistan, Bangladesh have warmed up since last year and both nations have resumed sea trade
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider on Sunday met Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus in Dhaka, the latter's office said on, with the two figures discussing trade, investment and aviation.
Pakistan and Bangladesh were once one nation, but they split in 1971 as a result of a bloody civil war, which saw the part previously referred to as East Pakistan seceding to form the independent nation of Bangladesh.
Ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh have warmed up since former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s ouster as a result of a student-led uprising in August 2024. Relations remain frosty between Dhaka and New Delhi over India’s decision to grant asylum to Hasina.
Pakistan has attempted to forge closer ties with Bangladesh in recent months and both South Asian nations last year began sea trade, followed by efforts to expand government-to-government commerce.
"During the meeting, both sides discussed ways to expand cooperation in trade, investment, and aviation as well as scaling up cultural, educational and medical exchanges to further strengthen bilateral relations between the two South Asian nations," Yunus's office said in a statement on X.
In 2023-24 Pakistan exported goods worth $661 million to Bangladesh, while its imports were only $57 million, according to the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan. In Aug. this year, the Pakistani and Bangladeshi commerce ministries signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a Joint Working Group on Trade, aiming to raise their bilateral trade volume to $1 billion in the financial year that began in July.
The Pakistani high commissioner noted that bilateral trade has recorded a 20 percent growth compared to last year, with business communities from both countries actively exploring new investment opportunities, according to the statement.
He highlighted a significant increase in cultural exchanges, adding that Bangladeshi students have shown strong interest in higher education opportunities in Pakistan, particularly in medical sciences, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence. Haider also said that Dhaka-Karachi direct flights are expected to start in January.
"Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus welcomed the growing interactions between the two countries and emphasized the importance of increased visits as well as cultural, educational and people-to-people exchanges among SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) member states," the statement read.
"Professor Yunus also underscored the need to further boost Bangladesh–Pakistan trade and expressed hope that during Mr. Haider’s tenure, both countries would explore new avenues for investment and joint venture businesses."
