ISLAMABAD: A two-day International Maritime Sustainability Exhibition and Conference (IMSEC) that sought to foster Islamabad’s global and regional partnerships and facilitate investments concluded in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi on Saturday, the country’s maritime affairs ministry said.
The two-day conference from Sept. 13-14 was attended by the secretary-general of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Antonio Dominguez Velasco, marking it the first-ever visit by an IMO chief to the South Asian country.
“I am happy to visit Pakistan and this country has immense potential in the maritime industry,” Velasco was quoted as saying by the maritime affairs industry as the conference concluded.
“We have discussed various plans and strategies during this conference, and I am confident that Pakistan will continue to develop its shipping, recycling, and fisheries sectors, with a focus on environmental sustainability,” Velasco added.
The IMO chief stressed the agency’s commitment to providing Pakistan with technical facilities and support to bolster its maritime capabilities. He highlighted the significance of the country’s ports, which he said he had personally visited during his stay and underlined the UN agency’s ongoing programs related to global maritime affairs.
Admiral Faisal Abbasi, the commander of the Pakistan fleet, noted that the country’s maritime boundaries have remained free of piracy incidents throughout its history. He commended the role of the Pakistan Navy in combating piracy in the Gulf of Aden, a key waterway for global trade.
“The Pakistan Navy continues to take proactive steps in promoting and raising awareness about the importance of the maritime economy, with the ‘blue economy’ being the central theme of this year’s conference,” Abbasi said.
Abbasi announced that the next maritime conference will be held in November 2025, with more programs aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s role in the global maritime industry.
Two-day international maritime conference concludes in Karachi
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Two-day international maritime conference concludes in Karachi
- Pakistan has immense potential in maritime affairs industry, says International Maritime Organization secretary-general
- Two-day conference sought to foster Islamabad’s global and regional maritime partnerships, facilitate investments
Pakistan U19 pull off last-wicket win against Afghanistan in Zimbabwe tri-series
- Pakistan chased 227 with three balls to spare after a shaky start marked by regular fall of wickets
- Hamza Zahoor’s unbeaten 68 and Usman Khan’s four-wicket haul sealed Pakistan’s thrilling victory
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Under-19 clinched a tense one-wicket victory over Afghanistan in a tri-series match on Saturday, chasing down a target of 227 with three balls to spare at Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe.
The win was anchored by an unbeaten half-century from Hamza Zahoor, whose 68 not out off 51 balls guided Pakistan home after a dramatic collapse left them nine wickets down and still 26 runs short.
Afghanistan were bowled out for 226 in their 50 overs after being sent in to bat, with Osman Sadat top-scoring with a patient 75 from 106 deliveries, while Mahboob Khan added 49. Pakistan seamer Usman Khan led the bowling effort with four wickets for 37 runs.
"Pakistan U19 seal a thrilling contest in Harare by 1 wicket," the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced in a social media post.
"Captain Farhan Yousaf scored a composed 65, before Hamza Zahoor's brilliant unbeaten 68 guided Pakistan home," it added.
Pakistan’s chase faltered early as wickets fell at regular intervals, before captain Yousaf steadied the innings with a knock that included six fours and two sixes, keeping the pursuit on track.
With Pakistan slipping to 201 for nine, Zahoor held his nerve in the closing stages, finding brief support from lower-order batters before adding an unbroken 29-run stand for the final wicket with Niqab Shafiq, who finished unbeaten on one.
Zahoor struck eight fours and a six during his innings, counter-attacking confidently as Afghanistan pressed for the final wicket.
Despite Zahoor’s match-winning innings, Usman Khan was named Player of the Match for his four-wicket haul earlier in the day.
Pakistan entered the tournament as U19 Asia Cup champions after beating India by 191 runs in Dubai earlier this month.
The PCB has said the players are using the tri-series as a key preparation for next month’s ICC Men’s U19 World Cup co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Pakistan will next face hosts Zimbabwe on Monday at Prince Edward School in Harare.
