ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s street football team defeated Oystese Club 3-1 in the Norway Cup, state-run media reported on Thursday, marking the South Asian nation’s third consecutive win.
The Street Child Football Norway Cup is an international youth football tournament held in Oslo, Norway.
Pakistan began the tournament on a high note last week, defeating Norwegian club Astor Footballklubb 6-1 and Vardenest BK 5-0 in Oslo on Monday in the tournament’s second match.
“In the Norway Cup 2024, Pakistan street child football team has defeated Oystese club by 3-1 in their third match of the tournament in Oslo,” Radio Pakistan said on Thursday. “This is the third consecutive success of Pakistan in the tournament.”
The team has qualified for the playoff stage of the tournament, which will begin today, it added.
The tournament runs from July 27 to August 3.
Pakistan is eager to lift the title this year after finishing as runners-up in the 2022 edition of the Street Child World Cup held in Qatar.
They were also runners-up in Russia in 2018 and finished third in the 2014 edition in Brazil.
Pakistan’s street football team secures playoff spot after third consecutive win in Norway
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Pakistan’s street football team secures playoff spot after third consecutive win in Norway
- The team is eager to lift the title after finishing as runners-up in the 2022 tournament held in Qatar
- The Green Shirts were also runners-up in Russia in 2018 and finished third in the 2014 edition in Brazil
Pakistan, ADB sign $730 loan agreements to boost SOE reforms, energy infrastructure
- Both sign $330 million Power Transmission Strengthening Project and $400 million SOE Transformation Program loan agreements
- Economic Affairs Division official says Transmission Project will secure Pakistan’s energy future by strengthening national grid’s backbone
KARACHI: Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Thursday signed two loan agreements totaling $730 million to boost reforms in state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and energy infrastructure in the country, the bank said.
The first of the two agreements pertains to the SOE Transformation Program worth $400 million while the second loan, worth $330 million, is for a Power Transmission Strengthening Project, the lender said.
The agreements were signed by ADB Country Director for Pakistan Emma Fan and Pakistan’s Secretary of Economic Affairs Division Humair Karim.
“The agreements demonstrate ADB’s enduring commitment to supporting sustainable and inclusive economic growth in Pakistan,” the ADB said.
Pakistan’s SOEs have incurred losses worth billions of dollars over the years due to financial mismanagement and corruption. These entities, including the country’s national airline Pakistan International Airlines, which was sold to a private group this week, have relied on subsequent government bailouts over the years to operate.
The ADB approved the $400 million loan for SOE reforms on Dec. 12. It said the program seeks to improve governance and optimize the performance of Pakistan’s commercial SOEs.
Karim highlighted that the Power Transmission Strengthening Project will enable reliable evacuation of 2,300 MW from Pakistan’s upcoming hydropower projects, relieve overloading of existing transmission lines and enhance resilience under contingency conditions, the Press Information Department (PID) said.
“The Secretary emphasized that both initiatives are transformative in nature as the Transmission Project will secure Pakistan’s energy future by strengthening the backbone of the national grid whereas the SOE Program will enhance transparency, efficiency and sustainability of state-owned enterprises nationwide,” the PID said.
The ADB has supported reforms by Pakistan to strengthen its public finance and social protection systems. It has also undertaken programs in the country to help with post-flood reconstruction, improve food security and social and human capital.
To date, ADB says it has committed 764 public sector loans, grants and technical assistance totaling $43.4 billion to Pakistan.
