KARACHI: The government of the United Arab Emirates has issued a golden visa to Javed Afridi, the owner of the Pakistan Super League cricket franchise, Peshawar Zalmi, Afridi told Arab News on Thursday, saying he was “grateful” to receive the long term travel document.
The UAE’s “golden” visa system grants 10-year residency in the Gulf state to certain professionals, specialized degree-holders and others. Foreigners in the UAE usually have renewable visas valid for only a few years tied to employment. In the past few years, the government has made its visa policy more flexible, offering longer residencies for certain types of investors, students and professionals.
Peshawar Zalmi said in a handout Afridi was issued the golden visa for promoting peace through sports and achieving success in the business sector. Afridi is also the chief executive of Haier Pakistan, a consumer electronics and home appliances company.
“I am grateful to the leadership of the United Arab Emirates for granting me this long term visa,” Afridi told Arab News. “The country’s visionary leadership is a model for both emerging and several developed economies.”
“This visa is being offered to investors, entrepreneurs, researches and even exemplary students, which is evidence of the UAE’s focus on knowledge creation and excellence,” Afridi added.
“I especially wish to laud the efforts of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his leadership and compassion during this last challenging year,” the franchise owner and businessman said. “Together with His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the leaders of the Emirates have set the course for a prosperous future.”
“Will try to act as a bridge between the business communities, sports and other sectors of both the countries,” he added.
UAE grants golden visa to Pakistan Super League cricket franchise owner
https://arab.news/5ts35
UAE grants golden visa to Pakistan Super League cricket franchise owner
- Peshawar Zalmi chairman and chief executive of Haier Pakistan, Javed Afridi, says grateful to UAE leaders for the long term visa
- “Will try to act as a bridge between the business communities, sports and other sectors” of Pakistan and UAE, Afridi says
Pakistan Air Force conducts ‘Exercise Golden Eagle’ to test combat readiness, agility
- The exercise follows an intense, four-day Pakistan-India military conflict in May 2025
- It focused on AI-enabled operations integrating disruptive technologies, military says
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has conducted “Exercise Golden Eagle” that successfully validated its combat readiness and operational agility through synchronized employment of the PAF’s complete combat potential, the Pakistani military said on Tuesday.
It comes months after Pakistan’s four-day military conflict with India in May, with Islamabad claiming victory in the standoff after the PAF claimed to have shot down at least six Indian fighter aircraft, including the French-made Rafale. New Delhi acknowledged some losses but did not specify a number.
The exercise was conducted on a Two-Force construct, focusing on AI-enabled, net-centric operations while integrating indigenous niche, disruptive and smart technologies in line with evolving regional security dynamics, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani military’s media wing.
Operating within a robust Integrated Air Defense System, friendly forces shaped the battlespace through seamless fusion of kinetic operations with cyber, space and electro-magnetic spectrum operations.
“The kinetic phase featured First-Shoot, First-Kill swing-role combat aircraft equipped with long-range BVR air-to-air missiles, extended-range stand-off weapons and precision strike capabilities, supported by Airborne Early Warning & Control platforms and Air-to-Air Refuelers,” the ISPR said in a statement.
“A key highlight of the exercise was Manned–Unmanned Teaming, with deep-reach killer drones and loitering munitions operating in a highly contested, congested and degraded environment, validating PAF’s capability to conduct high-tempo operations in modern warfare.”
In recent months, many countries have stepped up defense engagement with Pakistan, while delegations from multiple nations have proposed learning from the PAF’s multi-domain air warfare capabilities that officials say were successfully employed during the May conflict.
“The successful conduct of Exercise Golden Eagle reaffirms Pakistan Air Force’s unwavering commitment to maintaining a high state of operational preparedness, leveraging indigenous innovation and effectively countering emerging and future security challenges,” the ISPR added.
