KARACHI: The administration in Karachi, set to host the inaugural match of the ICC Champions Trophy next month, announced on Friday a series of special measures to ensure the tournament's success and provide a memorable experience for spectators.
Pakistan will host the tournament from February 19 to March 9 across venues in Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi. A hybrid model has been adopted for the event, as India’s matches will be played in Dubai after it showed reluctance to play in Pakistan, citing security concerns.
A meeting to review the arrangements was held under the chairmanship of Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi.
“It was decided that foolproof security would be provided during the event,” said an official statement from the commissioner’s office.
“The stadium’s surroundings and routes leading to it would be decorated,” it continued. “Special parking arrangements would be made, and a shuttle service would be provided from parking spots to the stadium.”
The meeting was attended by senior officials from the police, Rangers and other relevant institutions.
Among the participants were also the director-general of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan and representatives of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
PCB’s General Manager of the National Stadium Arshad Khan provided a detailed briefing on the tournament schedule.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will feature eight teams competing in 15 matches. Group A includes Pakistan, India, New Zealand and Bangladesh, while Group B comprises South Africa, Australia, Afghanistan and England.
The opening match of the tournament will see Pakistan facing New Zealand on February 19 in Karachi.
The event is expected to strengthen Pakistan’s international cricket profile, particularly as it works to meet public expectations for hosting such a major championship.
Karachi gears up for Champions Trophy with special arrangements
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Karachi gears up for Champions Trophy with special arrangements
- Security for the tournament was discussed among senior police, Rangers and administration officials
- The authorities will run a special shuttle service between designated parking spots and the stadium
Pakistan, China to sign multiple MoUs at major agriculture investment conference today
- Hundreds of Chinese and Pakistani firms to attend Islamabad event
- Conference seen as part of expanding CPEC ties into agriculture, trade
KARACHI: Islamabad and Beijing are set to sign multiple memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to boost agricultural investment and cooperation at a major conference taking place in the capital today, Monday, with hundreds of Chinese and Pakistani companies expected to participate.
The conference is being billed by Pakistan’s Ministry of National Food Security and Research as a platform for deepening bilateral agricultural ties and supporting broader economic engagement between the two countries.
“Multiple memorandums of understanding will be signed at the Pakistan–China Agricultural Conference,” the Ministry of National Food Security said in a statement. “115 Chinese and 165 Pakistani companies will participate.”
The conference reflects a growing emphasis on expanding Pakistan-China economic cooperation beyond the transport and energy foundations of the flagship China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into agriculture, industry and technology.
Under its first phase launched in 2015, CPEC, a core component of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, focused primarily on transportation infrastructure, energy generation and connectivity projects linking western China to the Arabian Sea via Pakistan. That phase included motorways, power plants and the development of the Gwadar Port in the country's southwest, aimed at helping Pakistan address chronic power shortages and enhance transport connectivity.
In recent years, both governments have formally moved toward a “CPEC 2.0” phase aimed at diversifying the corridor’s impact into areas such as special economic zones, innovation, digital cooperation and agriculture. Second-phase discussions have highlighted Pakistan’s goal of modernizing its agricultural sector, attracting Chinese technology and investment, and boosting export potential, with high-level talks taking place between planning officials and investors in Beijing.
Agri-sector cooperation has also seen practical collaboration, with joint initiatives examining technology transfer, export protocols and value-chain development, including partnerships in livestock, mechanization and horticulture.
Organizers say the Islamabad conference will bring together government policymakers, private sector investors, industry associations and multinational agribusiness firms from both nations. Discussions will center on investment opportunities, technology adoption, export expansion and building linkages with global buyers within the framework of Pakistan-China economic cooperation.
