ISLAMABAD: Pakistan tennis ace Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi said Friday he was motivated by the rise of his former doubles partner Rohan Bopanna, ahead of a historic Davis Cup clash against arch-rivals India.
India’s Bopanna rose to number one on the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) rankings after winning the Australian Open last month, becoming the oldest player ever to snag the top spot at the age of 43.
Qureshi and Bopanna, dubbed the Indo-Pak Express, paired over a decade ago to break into the top 10 and reach the 2010 US Open final.
“Becoming world number one and winning the Australian Open is a massive achievement and in a way it motivates me as well and inspires a lot of people,” 43-year-old Qureshi told reporters ahead of a first Davis Cup tie against India on home soil since 1964.
“I feel very proud of him, obviously I started my doubles career with him and we made a breakthrough together,” he said, adding their “friendship will remain forever.”
Bopanna is not part of the visiting Indian camp, having retired from the Davis Cup last year.
The last tie between the two countries, which have fought three wars since they were forged out of violent partition 76 years ago, took place in neutral Kazakhstan in 2014 with India winning 4-0.
“The Indian team just reaching Pakistan is already a win for me,” Qureshi said.
“I’m happy and proud to be a part of it – that tennis might play a role in mending the ties with India.”
India are the strong favorites on paper, but both camps said they expected a competitive clash.
Indian captain Zeeshan Ali – whose father was part of the 1964 team – described coming to Pakistan as “emotional.”
“The last time India played against Pakistan 60 years ago my father was on the team and he played three of the matches which he won,” Ali said.
“For me to be back here in Pakistan as captain of the Indian team is an emotional moment.”
Ali added that he hoped the tie would prove positive for tennis.
“If we can help in any way to spread good friendship and the game of tennis then we would have achieved our goal.”
Political differences over Kashmir mean sporting teams from each side rarely visit the other unless taking part in sanctioned multi-national events.
Indian player Yuki Bhambri told AFP the pressure of playing against Pakistan disappears once you step on the court.
“There’s already a lot of pressure when playing for your country ... I don’t think there is any scope for adding more.”
Asked if Bopanna had considered coming out of retirement to play against Qureshi, Bhambri said: “I think if he had known before (retiring) that there was a possibility I’m sure he would have liked the chance to come here and play.”
Two singles fixtures are scheduled for Saturday with one doubles and two singles matches on Sunday in the Group 1 playoff on the grass courts of the Pakistan Sports Complex in Islamabad.
Rohan Bopanna’s rise ‘motivates’ Aisam-ul-Haq ahead of Pakistan-India Davis Cup tie
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Rohan Bopanna’s rise ‘motivates’ Aisam-ul-Haq ahead of Pakistan-India Davis Cup tie
- The two players paired over a decade ago to break into the top 10 and reach the 2010 US Open final
- Two Davis Cup singles are scheduled for Saturday with one doubles and two singles matches on Sunday
Pakistan launches first Hong Kong Convention-certified ship recycling yard
- Hong Kong International Convention aims to improve hazardous working conditions in ship recycling facilities worldwide
- Maritime affairs minister says certification reflects Islamabad’s efforts in implementing global environmental standards
ISLAMABAD: Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry inaugurated Pakistan’s first ship recycling facility certified by the Hong Kong International Convention on Wednesday, saying the move would help Islamabad meet global benchmarks in environmentally friendly ship recycling.
Pakistan became a party to the 2009 Hong Kong Convention in December 2023, which aims to improve hazardous working conditions in ship recycling facilities worldwide. The ship recycling industry in Pakistan and globally faces pressure from calls to adopt safer and cleaner methods.
Shipbreaking is a significant industry in Pakistan, particularly in the coastal town of Gadani in southwestern Balochistan, which was once one of the world’s largest ship recycling hubs. However, business has declined in recent years as Islamabad grapples with a macroeconomic crisis.
Chaudhry inaugurated the Prime Green Recycling Yard in Gadani during a ceremony. He highlighted that the certification demonstrated Pakistan’s alignment with international maritime and environmental standards in a sector long criticized for hazardous working conditions.
“The success of the Prime Green Recycling Yard is a matter of national pride and a clear signal that Pakistan is meeting global benchmarks for environmentally friendly ship recycling,” the Maritime Affairs Ministry quoted him as saying.
“Pakistan is emerging as a responsible country in the global ship recycling industry.”
The statement highlighted that the government was working to modernize the Gadani Ship Recycling Zone, focusing on infrastructure upgrades, regulatory reforms, and improved oversight.
It added that worker safety would remain a top priority as the industry transitions to cleaner and safer methods.
Chaudhry said modernizing the ship recycling sector could create thousands of jobs and conserve foreign exchange by providing locally sourced steel and materials.
“With a responsible and sustainable approach, ship recycling can become a major contributor to economic growth,” he said.
“It will reduce dependence on imports and strengthen Pakistan’s industrial base.”
Pakistan’s maritime sector, anchored by its long coastline and strategic ports such as Karachi, Port Qasim, and Gwadar, holds vast potential for the blue economy. However, it remains underutilized due to infrastructure gaps, policy inconsistencies, and limited shipping capacity.
