ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday announced a cash prize of Rs150 million ($538,000) and a civil award for Pakistani javelin hero Arshad Nadeem for winning Olympic gold, Pakistani state media reported.
Last Thursday, Nadeem set off celebrations across Pakistan when his throw easily surpassed the previous Olympic mark of 90.57 set by Andreas Thorkildsen of Norway in 2008. It was also well clear of India’s Neeraj Chopra, the Tokyo champion, who reached a season-best 89.45 for silver.
The announcement by the Pakistan premier came at a dinner ceremony held in Islamabad in honor of Nadeem. PM Sharif paid a tribute to Nadeem for his success in the men’s javelin throw competition at Paris Olympics 2024, describing him as a “bright example” for young athletes, the state-run Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
“Success of Arshad Nadeem provides an ample proof that meager resources, difficulties and challenges are not a hurdle in the way of success,” Sharif was quoted as saying.
The prime minister announced Hilal Imtiaz, the second highest civilian award, for Nadeem for winning Pakistan’s first Olympic gold medal in 40 years.
He also announced the establishment of Arshad Nadeem High Performance Academy at Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad, where athletes and players would be trained for the 2028 Olympics, and a sports endowment fund of Rs1 billion, according to the report.
Earlier on Tuesday, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz visited Nadeem’s house in his village in the Mian Channu district and presented him with a cheque for Rs100 million rupees ($359,000).
Nawaz also handed him keys to a new car which had a special registration number of “PAK 92.97” to commemorate Nadeem’s massive throw in Paris. Nadeem’s coach Salman Iqbal Butt was also given 5 million rupees ($18,000).
PM announces Rs150 million prize, civil award for Pakistani javelin hero Arshad Nadeem
https://arab.news/pu8x9
PM announces Rs150 million prize, civil award for Pakistani javelin hero Arshad Nadeem
- Nadeem last week set off celebrations in Pakistan when his 92.97-meter throw easily shattered the previous Olympic record
- Nadeem won Pakistan’s first Olympic gold in 40 years, when the men’s field hockey team won at the 1984 Los Angeles Games
Pakistan deputy PM speaks with Iranian FM as Saudi Arabia intercepts missiles and drones
- Ishaq Dar expresses concern over evolving regional situation as both officials agree to remain in contact
- Pakistan earlier reminded Tehran of its mutual defense pact with Saudi Arabia during diplomatic outreach
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi on Friday amid escalating tensions in the Gulf, including recent missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia that were intercepted by the Kingdom’s air defenses.
The call comes as Islamabad remains in contact with both Tehran and Gulf states to prevent the widening Iran conflict from spilling further across the region, particularly after attempted strikes on Saudi territory, a sensitive development for Pakistan, which signed a mutual defense pact with the Kingdom last year.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry said Dar raised concerns about the evolving regional situation during the conversation.
“Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar spoke this evening with the Foreign Minister of Iran, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi,” the ministry said in a statement.
“The DPM/FM expressed concern over the evolving regional situation. The two agreed to remain in touch on the developments,” it added.
The ministry did not share details of the conversation, though it came amid fast-moving developments in the region, with Saudi Arabia saying its air defenses intercepted multiple missiles and drones early on Friday.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s adviser on political affairs Rana Sanaullah said Pakistan was in contact with Iran to discourage attacks on Gulf countries and prevent misunderstandings.
“Such attacks should not be carried out from Iran’s side,” he told Geo TV.
Prior to that, the deputy prime minister told Pakistan’s Senate that Islamabad had engaged both Iran and Saudi Arabia at the outset of Iran’s retaliation in the region, reminding Tehran of its defense agreement with Saudi Arabia and conveying assurances from Riyadh that Saudi territory would not be used against Iran.
Pakistan says its administration is striving to end the conflict, though the United States-Israeli strikes on Iran, which triggered the war and led to its spillover, have only intensified.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Friday some countries had begun mediation efforts but insisted Tehran would defend its sovereignty.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has called for Iran’s “unconditional surrender” on his Truth Social platform as the confrontation shows little sign of easing.
