KHAPLU: Knocking out his Tanzanian contender, young Pakistani boxer Usman Wazeer won the World Boxing Council (WBC) Middle East title in Dubai on Wednesday.
Wazeer, who hails from the Astore district of Pakistan’s northern Gilgit-Baltistan region, is nicknamed ‘The Asian Boy’ and widely regarded as one of the greatest contemporary Pakistani boxers. He is currently an undefeated welterweight boxer and holds the Asian Boxing Federation (ABF) Asian title, being the first Pakistani to do so.
Wazeer, 21, made his professional boxing debut against Moroccan Brahim Oubenais (0-1-0) on May 3, 2019, in Dubai, where the former won by a split decision after four rounds, claiming his first professional victory. The Pakistan boxer, who has so far featured in six professional bouts, remains unbeaten.
“I thank Allah Almighty!” Wazeer cried out in the ring after Wednesday’s victory. “After becoming the champion of Asian Boxing title, now I am the champion of WBC Middle East.”
“I want to thank my coach and all supporters for supporting me at every movement,” he said. “It is a proud movement for us and I will keep winning the fights and no stone will be left unturned to make Pakistan proud.”
Wazeer said he wanted to dedicate the latest title to the Pakistan army.
“I want to dedicate this title to the Pakistan Army as they live on the borders to protect us,” the boxer said. “Owing to them we are safe in the country.”
The fight was not easy, he said, “but Alhamdulillah, I have done it.”
Pakistani boxer Usman Wazeer wins World Boxing Council Middle East title
https://arab.news/bp6nm
Pakistani boxer Usman Wazeer wins World Boxing Council Middle East title
- Is currently undefeated welterweight boxer, first Pakistani to hold Asian Boxing Federation Asian title
- Dedicates Wednesday’s win in Dubai to Pakistan army, “owing to them we are safe in the country”
IMF board to meet tomorrow to consider $1.2 billion disbursement for Pakistan
- Pakistan, IMF reached a Staff-Level Agreement for second review of $7 billion loan program
- Economists view disbursement crucial for cash-strapped Pakistan as it tackles economic crisis
ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Executive Board will meet tomorrow, Monday, to consider and approve a $1.2 billion disbursement for Pakistan, according to the global lender’s official schedule.
The meeting takes place nearly two months after the Fund reached a Staff-Level Agreement (SLA) with Pakistan for the second review of its $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and the first review of its $1.4 billion Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF).
The SLA followed a mission led by IMF’s Iva Petrova, who held discussions with Pakistani authorities during a Sept. 24–Oct. 8 visit to Karachi, Islamabad and Washington, DC.
“The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Executive Board will convene on Dec. 8 to consider Pakistan’s request for a $1.2 billion disbursement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF), according to the Fund’s updated schedule,” the state-run Pakistan TV reported on Sunday.
Economists view IMF’s bailout packages as crucial for cash-strapped Pakistan, which has relied heavily on financing from bilateral partners such as Saudi Arabia, China and the United Arab Emirates, as well as multilateral lenders including the IMF, World Bank, Asian Development Bank and Islamic Development Bank.
The South Asian country has been grappling with a prolonged macroeconomic crisis that has drained its financial resources and triggered a balance of payments crisis. Islamabad, however, has recorded some financial gains since 2022, which include recording a surplus in its current account and bringing inflation down considerably.
Speaking to Arab News last month, Pakistan’s former finance adviser Khaqan Najeeb said the $1.2 billion disbursement will further stabilize Pakistan’s near-term external position and unlock additional official inflows.
“Continued engagement also reinforces macro stability, as reflected in recent improvements in inflation, the current account, and reserve buffers,” Najeeb said.
Pakistan came close to sovereign default in mid-2023, when foreign exchange reserves fell below three weeks of import cover, inflation surged to a record 38 percent in May, and the country struggled to secure external financing after delays in its IMF program. Fuel shortages, import restrictions, and a rapidly depreciating rupee added to the pressure, while ratings agencies downgraded Pakistan’s debt and warned of heightened default risk.
The crisis eased only after Pakistan reached a last-minute Stand-By Arrangement with the IMF in June 2023, unlocking emergency support and preventing an immediate default.
