ISLAMABAD: A senior State Department official denied any American role in bringing Pakistani leaders to power on Monday, saying the administration in Washington had always pursued a policy of engagement toward the South Asian country and worked with all governments over a wide spectrum of issues.
The statement comes only a few weeks ahead of the general elections in Pakistan, which are scheduled to be held by the election commission on Feb. 8.
The deep-rooted suspicion among Pakistanis toward the United States regarding political manipulation has intensified following last year’s ouster of former prime minister Imran Khan, who publicly accused the Biden administration of orchestrating his downfall. American officials have repeatedly denied the allegation but found it difficult to dispel the public perception in Pakistan.
The recent decision of Khan’s political rival, Nawaz Sharif, to end his four-year self-exile in London and return to Pakistan to lead his party’s election campaign, despite a conviction on graft charges from an accountability court, has further fueled suspicions among some about potential political manipulation before the national polls.
“The United States does not play any role in choosing the leaders of Pakistan,” State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said during his media briefing in Washington. “We engage with the leadership shown by – or the leadership decided by the Pakistani people, and we will continue to engage with the Government of Pakistan on all [the important] issues.”
Miller was asked why the United States had not condemned Sharif’s return to the country to carry out political activities despite being convicted by a local accountability court.
The State Department official also responded to a question about mounting tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan in recent weeks, encouraging both countries to resolve their issues diplomatically.
“It’s something that we have been engaged on,” he added. “We’ve detailed the substance of some of those specific engagements over the past few weeks, and we will continue to do so.”
Pakistani officials have accused the government in Kabul of not doing enough to end cross-border militancy after a string of deadly attacks which they blamed on the proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) network.
The TTP leadership is said to be based in Afghanistan.
Pakistan has also started deporting unregistered foreigners, mostly Afghans, since November while citing security reasons.
US denies political meddling in Pakistan amid rising suspicions ahead of general elections
https://arab.news/2egfj
US denies political meddling in Pakistan amid rising suspicions ahead of general elections
- State Department says Washington works with all Pakistani administrations over a wide spectrum of issues
- Matthew Miller also urges Pakistan and Afghanistan to find diplomatic solutions to their mounting tensions
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.
