ISLAMABAD: Pakistani umpire Saleema Imtiaz made history on Sunday after she was nominated to the ICC’s International Panel of Development Umpires, making her the first woman from her country to achieve the honor.
The nomination qualifies Imtiaz, 52, to officiate in women’s bilateral international matches and ICC Women’s Events, marking what the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said was a “major milestone” in the country’s cricketing history.
Imtiaz, who is the mother of Pakistan women’s international player Kainat Imtiaz, began her umpiring career with the PCB Women’s Umpires Panel in 2008. Her extensive experience includes officiating in high-profile events under the Asian Cricket Council such as the 2022 and 2024 ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup and the 2023 ACC Emerging Women’s Cup in Hong Kong.
“I am beyond thrilled to join the ICC International Panel of Development Umpires,” Imtiaz said according to a press release issued by the PCB. “I owe immense gratitude to the Pakistan Cricket Board for the invaluable opportunities that paved the way for this achievement.”
She described her journey as one filled with “hard work and personal sacrifices,” adding that the achievement was not only a win for her but for every aspiring Pakistani woman cricketer and umpire.
“I hope my success motivates countless women who dream of making their mark in the sport,” Imtiaz said. “This moment reflects the growing influence of women in cricket and the PCB’s commitment to fostering that development.”
Her first on-field appointment in a bilateral series will see her officiate the Pakistan-South Africa women’s T20I series in Multan, which begins on Monday.
She will be partnered by Nasir Hussain from the PCB Elite Panel of Umpires, while Humairah Farah will serve as the third umpire and Muhammad Javed Malik from the PCB International Panel of Match Referees will oversee the series as match referee.
“With her nomination to the ICC International Panel, Saleema Imtiaz not only breaks barriers but also sets an inspiring precedent for the next generation of female cricket professionals,” the PCB said.
Saleema Imtiaz becomes first Pakistani woman to be nominated to ICC’s umpire panel
https://arab.news/m8934
Saleema Imtiaz becomes first Pakistani woman to be nominated to ICC’s umpire panel
- Imtiaz will now be able to officiate in women’s bilateral international matches, ICC Women’s Events
- Pakistani woman umpire is also the mother of Pakistani international woman cricketer Kainat Imtiaz
Pakistan mulls 'Super App' for public services, document verification in major technology push
- Pakistan has been urging technology adoption in public, private sectors as it seeks to become a key tech player globally
- The country this month launched the Indus AI Week to harness technology for productivity, skills development and innovation
KARACHI: Pakistan is planning to launch a “Super App” to deliver public services and enable digital document verification, the country's information technology (IT) minister said on Sunday, amid a major push for technology adoption in public and private sectors.
Pakistan, a country of 240 million people, seeks to become a key participant in the global tech economy, amid growing interest from governments in the Global South to harness advanced technologies for productivity, skills development and innovation.
The country's information and communications technology (ICT) exports hit a record $437 million in Dec. last year, according to IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja. This constituted a 23% increase month on month and a 26% increase year on year.
Pakistan's technology sector is also advancing in artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing, marked by the launch of Pakistan’s first sovereign AI cloud in November, designed to keep sensitive data domestic and support growth in the broader digital ecosystem.
“In developed countries, citizens can access all government services from a mobile phone,” Fatima said, announcing plans for the Super App at an event in Karachi where more than 7,000 students had gathered for an AI training entrance test as part of the ‘Indus AI Week.’
“We will strive to provide similar facilities in the coming years.”
Khawaja said the app will reduce the need for in-person visits to government offices such as the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and the Higher Education Commission (HEC).
The Indus AI Week initiative, which ran from Feb. 9 till Feb. 15. was aimed at positioning Pakistan as a key future participant in the global AI revolution, according to the IT minister.
At the opening of the weeklong initiative, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that Pakistan would invest $1 billion in AI by 2030 to modernize the South Asian nation’s digital economy.
“These initiatives aim to strengthen national AI infrastructure and make the best use of our human resource,” Khawaja said, urging young Pakistanis to become creators, inventors and innovators rather than just being the consumers of technology.
