ISLAMABAD: The renovation of Gaddafi Stadium in Pakistan’s eastern Lahore city will be completed this week, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said on Sunday, with all major structural work finished and final touches being applied ahead of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.
The PCB has been renovating stadiums in Lahore and Karachi for the 2025 Champions Trophy scheduled to take place in Feb. across three venues: Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi. This will be the first ICC tournament held in Pakistan since the 1996 World Cup.
Pakistani fans have long expressed dissatisfaction with the country’s stadiums, particularly the National Bank Stadium in Karachi, citing a lack of basic facilities and a subpar viewing experience for spectators.
On Sunday, the PCB chairman paid a visit to Gaddafi Stadium and inspected the upgradation, renovation and finishing work on the ground, expressing his satisfaction over the pace of work at the iconic venue.
“Gaddafi Stadium, with all its modern facilities, will be ready this month. The work is being carried out at a swift pace,” he said.
“We are set to install brand new and comfortable seats for the fans, with an enhanced view, and work on new LED lights on the light towers is well underway.”
The stadium is set to transform into a world-class facility, featuring over 34,000 seats, brand-new scoreboards on both sides and state-of-the-art floodlights, ensuring exceptional visibility for both players and spectators after sunset.
“The fans will now be able to enjoy laser light shows during night games as well,” Naqvi said. “We are striving to make the ICC Champions Trophy a memorable event in Pakistan.”
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will take place from February 19 till March 9, with matches hosted across Pakistan and Dubai in a hybrid model.
The tournament’s structure follows a compromised decision after India refused to play in Pakistan, citing “security concerns.” Exercising its rights as the host nation, Pakistan designated Dubai as the neutral venue for India’s matches, ensuring all teams’ participation.
In Pakistan, Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi will host three group-stage games each. Lahore is also set to host the second semifinal. Dubai will host all three of India’s group matches and the first semifinal, should India qualify.
The tournament opener on Feb. 19 will feature Pakistan taking on New Zealand in Karachi, while India will face Bangladesh in Dubai on Feb. 20.
This will be the ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy, after an eight-year hiatus. The last tournament took place in England in 2017. The event will feature top eight teams in world cricket competing for one of the sport’s most prestigious titles.
Pakistan to finish Gaddafi Stadium renovation this month for upcoming Champions Trophy
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Pakistan to finish Gaddafi Stadium renovation this month for upcoming Champions Trophy
- The Champions Trophy tournament is set to begin on Feb. 19 in Karachi with Pakistan taking on New Zealand
- The stadium will feature over 34,000 seats, brand-new scoreboards and laser light shows during night games
Nine Pakistani firms showcase auto components at Automechanika Dubai 2025
- Pakistan to present automotive parts, engineering goods, hybrid-tech capabilities to global buyers
- Expo expected to draw 50,000 visitors and 2,400 exhibitors from over 60 countries, Consulate says
ISLAMABAD: Nine Pakistani companies are exhibiting automotive parts and engineering products at Automechanika Dubai 2025, one of the world’s largest auto-sector trade events, the Pakistani Consulate in Dubai said on Tuesday.
The three-day expo, being held from Dec. 9–11 at the Dubai World Trade Center, is expected to draw more than 50,000 buyers and 2,400 exhibitors from 60 countries, showcasing parts, components, lubricants, batteries, radiators, electronics, diagnostics tools, lighting, accessories, paint and body systems, as well as electric and hybrid vehicle technology.
Pakistan’s automotive and engineering sector contributes to manufacturing, employment and exports, with companies increasingly targeting Middle East and African markets for sourcing and aftermarket supply.
“Nine Pakistani companies facilitated by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) are exhibiting their products to highlight Pakistan’s strengths in automotive parts, engineering goods and related industries,” the Consulate said.
Pakistan’s Consul General in Dubai Hussain Muhammad inaugurated the country pavilion and said participation at Automechanika reflects Islamabad’s intent to position its manufacturers in global supply chains and expand access to high-value export markets. Trade and Investment Counselor Ali Zeb Khan also reaffirmed support for exporters seeking new business linkages.
In November, Pakistan also exhibited at Big 5 Global 2025, showcasing construction materials and technologies at what is considered the world’s largest construction industry gathering.
