Pakistan win Blind T20 World Cup, coinciding with International Day Of Persons With Disabilities

Pakistan blind team celebrates after winning the Blind T20 Cricket World Cup in Multan on December 3, 2024. (PBCC/Screengrab)
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Updated 03 December 2024
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Pakistan win Blind T20 World Cup, coinciding with International Day Of Persons With Disabilities

  • Pakistan’s blind cricket team defeats Bangladesh by 10 wickets
  • This is Pakistan’s first win since inception of the series in 2012

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s blind cricket team on Tuesday won the Blind T20 World Cup, defeating Bangladesh by 10 wickets in a victory that coincided with the annual International Day Of Persons With Disabilities.
This is the first time Pakistan has won the Blind T20 World Cup since the inception of the series in 2012, with India winning the previous three editions.
“Congratulations to the Pakistan blind cricket team for clinching the Blind Cricket T20 World Cup title with a 10-wicket win over Bangladesh in the final at Multan Cricket Stadium,” the Pakistan Cricket Board said on X.

In a thrilling finale, Bangladesh managed to post a modest total of 139 runs after losing seven wickets, while Arif Hussain stood out as the star performer for Bangladesh, delivering 54 runs.
On the bowling front for Pakistan, Babar Ali claimed three crucial wickets while his teammates Motiullah and Mohammad Salman each took one wicket. Pakistan then successfully chased down the target in 11 overs without losing a single wicket.
The opening pair of Nisar Ali and Mohammad Safdar forged an unbeaten partnership that saw Ali score an impressive 72 runs and Safdar 47 runs, leading the host nation to a resounding 10-wicket victory.
In the inaugural Blind T20 World Cup held in India in 2012, the hosts triumphed over Pakistan with a 29-run victory. The second edition, hosted in 2017, saw India winning by 9 wickets against Pakistan. In the most recent edition in 2022, India bested Bangladesh in the final to claim the trophy once again.
However, India did not participate in the fourth edition as their government denied the team permission to travel to Pakistan where the series was held.

 


PM Sharif calls climate financing ‘crucial’ in talks with top UN official in Pakistan

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PM Sharif calls climate financing ‘crucial’ in talks with top UN official in Pakistan

  • Pakistan is one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations, frequently battered by extreme weather events
  • The country has pushed for operationalization of Loss and Damages Fund for nations facing climate catastrophes

KARACHI: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday described climate financing as a “crucial component” of addressing the effects of climate change, urging developed nations to honor their commitments during a meeting with the United Nations’ top official in the country.
Despite contributing less than one percent to global carbon emissions, Pakistan remains one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations, frequently battered by extreme weather events.
The catastrophic floods of 2022 submerged a third of the country, affecting over 33 million people, killing more than 1,700 and inflicting about $30 billion in damages and economic losses.
In response, Pakistan has led efforts on climate financing, securing pledges at international platforms such as the COP27 climate conference in Egypt to assist in rebuilding climate-resilient infrastructure.
“[The Prime Minister] reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong political commitment to advancing the objective of combating climate change in close collaboration and partnership with the international community and the UN,” the PM Office said in a statement after Sharif’s meeting with UN Resident Coordinator Mohamed Yahya.
“The Prime Minister underscored that climate financing remained a crucial component of addressing the impacts of climate change, and expressed the hope that the developed nations would fulfill their commitments in that regard,” it added.
Pakistan has played a key role in pushing for the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund, an initiative to support nations suffering climate-induced destruction, in recent years.
Sharif also emphasized the need for reforms in the global financial system to increase the voice and representation of developing countries in international financial institutions in his meeting with the top UN official, according to the statement.
Last week, the UN Resident Coordinator called for “stronger international solidarity” in rebuilding homes in Pakistan’s flood-affected regions while speaking to Arab News.
He also described it as “unjust” for Pakistan to be asked to take loans for reconstruction, arguing that the crisis was caused by other countries, including 20 nations responsible for 80 percent of global emissions.


Habib Bank, S&P Global launch Pakistan’s first index to track manufacturing sector

Updated 14 February 2025
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Habib Bank, S&P Global launch Pakistan’s first index to track manufacturing sector

  • The index will be a standardized economic indicator based on a survey of a diverse panel of industries
  • It will help track economic developments in Pakistan, support decision making by financial institutions

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s largest bank, Habib Bank Limited (HBL), and global financial information and analytics firm S&P Global have launched a new index to track the country’s manufacturing sector, the companies said on Friday.
Rising taxes and power tariffs have led to social unrest and hammered industries in Pakistan’s $350 billion economy, as it navigates a tricky path to recovery under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) program approved in September.
The HBL S&P Global Purchasing Managers’ Index will be a standardized economic indicator based on a survey of a diverse panel of industries.
It will be Pakistan’s first comprehensive manufacturing index and a welcome source of information for investors in a country where economic data is scarce.
The industries will be asked about their perceptions of current business conditions and future expectations and the index will be released on the first working day of each month, the companies said in a statement.
“The launch of Pakistan’s first ever PMI is a significant event contributing to the accessibility of timely and high-frequency data to track economic developments in Pakistan and support decision making by financial institutions, investors and businesses,” said Luke Thompson, Managing Director of S&P Global Market Intelligence, in a statement.
Muhammad Nassir Salim, President & CEO of HBL said the series will enhance investor confidence and transparency in Pakistan’s economy.


High-level IFC delegation in Pakistan after nearly 10 years as World Bank pledges $20 billion

Updated 14 February 2025
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High-level IFC delegation in Pakistan after nearly 10 years as World Bank pledges $20 billion

  • The IFC, a member of the World Bank group, is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets
  • Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb underscores efforts for the private sector to lead economic growth, particularly in export-led expansion

KARACHI: A high-level International Finance Corporation (IFC) delegation has met Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, the finance ministry said on Friday, weeks after the World Bank pledged $20 billion support to the South Asian country.
The World Bank last month announced supplying Pakistan with $20 billion of loans over the next decade, which are expected to be invested in nutrition, education and renewable energies in the hope of stimulating private-sector growth.
The IFC, a member of the World Bank group, is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets, and its managing-director, Makhtar Diop, is currently leading a delegation to Pakistan.
In his meeting with IFC delegates, Aurangzeb briefed the about Pakistan’s macroeconomic stability on both the debt and equity sides as well as key structural reforms undertaken by his government, according to the Pakistani finance ministry.
“The finance minister highlighted the government’s recent declaration of warehousing as an industry and reaffirmed its commitment to public-private partnerships (PPPs) in infrastructure, IT (information technology), data centers, and AgTech (agricultural technology),” the ministry said in a statement.
“He emphasized that agricultural income tax remains a key area of discussion, alongside the broader goal of capital mobilization, where the private sector must play a leading role. He also noted that several international partners have publicly acknowledged Pakistan’s growing investment potential.”
During the meeting, Diop acknowledged the government’s reform efforts and noted that Pakistani private sector stakeholders had expressed confidence in the current policies, according to the finance ministry.
He commended Pakistan’s Country Partnership Framework (CPF) with the World Bank, recognizing it as one of the best practices globally, and reiterated IFC’s commitment to working closely with Islamabad and providing support in key areas such as green energy, data centers, agricultural supply chain improvements, telecom sector, and digitization.
The World Bank’s lending for Pakistan will start in 2026 and focus on six outcomes: improving education quality, tackling child stunting, boosting climate resilience, enhancing energy efficiency, fostering inclusive development and increasing private investment.
Pakistan nearly defaulted in 2023 on the payment of foreign debts and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) rescued it by agreeing to a $3 billion bailout. Last year, Islamabad secured a new $7 billion loan deal from the IMF. Since then, the country’s economy has started improving with weekly inflation coming down from 27 percent in 2023 to 1.8 percent in January. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has vowed to reduce dependence on foreign loans in the coming years.
During the meeting, Finance Minister Aurangzeb also outlined key structural reforms, including the recent introduction of agricultural income tax along with pension reforms and rightsizing initiatives across 43 ministries and 400 attached departments.
“He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to fostering an environment where the private sector leads economic growth, particularly in driving export-led expansion,” the finance ministry added.


Azad Kashmir says 54 ‘IED incidents’ reported since 2016 along de facto border with India 

Updated 14 February 2025
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Azad Kashmir says 54 ‘IED incidents’ reported since 2016 along de facto border with India 

  • 740-km Line of Control divides Himalayan Kashmir region between Pakistan and India
  • Neighbours signed ceasefire agreement along LoC in 2003, truce has frayed in recent years

ISLAMABAD: Azad Kashmir Home Minister Waqar Ahmed Noor said on Friday 54 improvised explosive device (IED) “incidents” had taken place since 2016 along the Line of Control (LoC) that divides the Himalayan Kashmir region between Pakistan and India, with many casualties reported. 

The statement comes after reports Pakistani and Indian troops had exchanged fire across the heavily militarized 740-km long de facto border this week. The nuclear-armed neighbors signed a ceasefire agreement along the LoC in 2003, but the truce has frayed in recent years, and there have been mounting casualties among villagers living close to the border. In 2021, after months of exchanging fire on the LoC, the militaries of India and Pakistan said in a rare joint statement they had agreed to observe a ceasefire.

Since independence from Britain in 1947, the two nations have fought three wars, two of them over Muslim-majority Kashmir, which they both claim in full but rule in part. The Pakistan-ruled part is called Azad Kashmir while India administers Jammu and Kashmir. 

“Up to 54 IED incidents have been reported on this side of the LoC which includes Chakothi, Neza Pir, Chirakot, Rakh Chikri, Deva, Battal and Kot Kotera sectors,” Noor said at a press conference, naming border towns in Azad Kashmir. 

“India is targeting civilians in Poonch, Bagh, Kotli, Mirpur, Rawalakot and Bagsar sectors also.”

Noor said four IEDs were recovered between Feb. 4-6 in Azad Kashmir’s Battal and Rawalakot sectors, with one civilian killed. 

“Pakistani officials have submitted evidence over these incidents to United Nations officials,” he added. 

Indian-administered Kashmir has been roiled by militant violence since the start of an anti-India insurgency in 1989 that killed tens of thousands, although violence has waned in recent years. Insurgent groups demand independence or merger with Pakistan.

New Delhi has for years accused Pakistan of launching militant attacks in India and helping militants who have battled Indian security forces since the late 1980s. Pakistan denies the accusation and says it only provides diplomatic and moral support for Kashmiris seeking self-determination.

In 2019, India’s government revoked Kashmir’s partial autonomy and imposed direct control. 


WWF says Pakistan’s pangolin population down 80 percent, urging immediate action

Updated 14 February 2025
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WWF says Pakistan’s pangolin population down 80 percent, urging immediate action

  • Population of pangolin has “drastically declined” due to poaching, illegal trade, habitat loss, retaliatory killings, climate change
  • Pakistan is believed to be transit route for international smuggling of pangolin scales primarily to China and Southeast Asia

KARACHI: The World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan (WWF-Pakistan) said on Friday Pakistan’s pangolin population was “drastically” declining, saying it was down at least 80 percent from previously recorded numbers.

The Indian pangolin is the only pangolin species found in Pakistan, which is classified as endangered in the IUCN Red List of Species.

“In Pakistan, particularly in the Potohar region, the species has disappeared from 80 percent of its former range,” WWF-Pakistan said in a press release on World Pangolin Day, observed on the third Saturday of February.

“While exact population estimates are challenging to determine, the overall population has drastically declined.”

According to the IUCN, other population models predict that the global Indian pangolin population may decrease by approximately 50 percent over the next 20 years.

The Indian pangolin is protected under both federal and provincial wildlife laws in Pakistan. Since 2016, it has also been listed in Appendix I of CITES, which legally prohibits any international trade of the species and its products, including scales. 

However, the pangolin faces several challenges, especially poaching, retaliatory killing and illegal trade activities. They are heavily hunted for their scales, which are used in traditional medicine and illegal trade. Urbanization, agricultural expansion, and deforestation are also reducing their natural habitat. Further, studies indicate that Pakistan is a transit route for the international smuggling of pangolin scales, primarily to China and Southeast Asia. All these challenges are putting the survival of pangolins at risk.

WWF-Pakistan has proposed that provincial wildlife departments and other law enforcement authorities take immediate actions to halt the illegal trade of the species and increase penalties for poaching and illegal trade. There is also an urgent need to enhance the monitoring of trade routes to prevent the smuggling of pangolin scales.

“As these species play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance, we must combat illegal wildlife trade, protect their habitats, and ensure a future where these unique creatures can thrive,” Muhammad Jamshed Iqbal Chaudhry, Senior Manager Research and Conservation, WWF-Pakistan, said, proposing reforestation projects and protection of pangolin habitats in key regions like the Potohar Plateau, Margalla Hills, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. 

The establishment of community-based pangolin protection zones (PPZs) in priority population hotspots in Rawalpindi (Punjab) and Mirpur (AJK) should be improved, Chaudhry said. 

“Scientific studies to assess pangolin population trends and distribution in Pakistan should be conducted,” he added.

WWF-Pakistan also appreciated efforts taken for the development of the Pangolin Conservation and Management Plan for Pakistan (2018-23). SMART (Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool) has been implemented in key habitats of the pangolin in Punjab, and a coordination system with Rescue 1122 has been developed to encourage community engagement in reporting illegal pangolin trade to the wildlife authorities. Furthermore, SAFE Systems strategies have also been developed for human-pangolin conflict management.

Currently, WWF-Pakistan is working in collaboration with the KP and Punjab provincial wildlife departments for pangolin conservation. The project “Saving the Pangolin of Pakistan” is being implemented in the KP Province, and surveys for species distribution have been completed in the region. 

Further, a Pangolin Protection Zone, enforced with community-based watch and ward, is being established in the southern districts of the KP province. 

WWF-Pakistan has also planned a joint venture with Tikki Hywood Foundation (Zimbabwe) for radio transmitter installation to study the habitat of the pangolin and help in establishing a rehabilitation center.