ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday met Qatari ambassador Ali Mubarak Ali Essa Al-Khater in Islamabad and discussed the release of Pakistani prisoners from Qatari jails as well as increased cooperation in combating narcotics.
In a report presented last year before the Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights, the foreign ministry said 23,456 Pakistanis were being held in jails abroad including 12,156 in Saudi Arabia, 5,292 in the United Arab Emirates, 338 in Qatar, 519 in Iraq, 450 in Bahrain, 59 in Kuwait, 308 in Turkiye, 255 in Malaysia, 88 in Afghanistan, 100 in Iran and 400 in China.
“During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, bilateral relations, and enhancing cooperation in various fields were discussed in detail,” a statement from the interior ministry said after Naqvi met Al-Khater. “Both sides also discussed the release of Pakistani citizens imprisoned in Qatar. Both sides also agreed to increase cooperation in combating narcotics.”
“Naqvi highlighted that a conference of Gulf countries on Narcotics control is being held in Islamabad in April, and the head of Qatar’s drug control department has been invited to participate in this conference. He emphasized the importance of close cooperation with friendly countries in combating narcotics.”
Qatar is an important trade partner of Pakistan in the GCC region and a major supplier of LNG to the South Asian country. Around 300,000 Pakistanis live in Qatar, working in a variety of sectors, including construction, transportation, health, education, engineering, finance, and public service.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Doha last year and announced that Qatar would invest $3 billion across various sectors in Pakistan, including trade, investment, and culture.
Pakistan and Qatar discuss release of prisoners, combating narcotics
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Pakistan and Qatar discuss release of prisoners, combating narcotics
- Around 23,456 Pakistanis are held in jails abroad, including 338 in Qatar
- Qatar is an important trade partner of Pakistan in the GCC region
Pakistan U19 to open tri-series against Afghanistan on Saturday in Zimbabwe
- Pakistan enter the tournament as U19 Asia Cup champions after beating India by 191 runs in Dubai
- The tri-series is seen as key preparation for next month’s U19 World Cup in Zimbabwe and Namibia
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s under-19 cricket team will begin their tri-series campaign against Afghanistan on Saturday in Harare, using the tournament as a key preparation for next month’s ICC Men’s U19 World Cup co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Pakistan, the reigning ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup champions, are competing in the 50-over tri-series alongside Afghanistan and hosts Zimbabwe, with each team playing the others twice before the top two advance to the final on Jan. 6.
Pakistan won the eight-team Asia Cup in Dubai earlier this month, beating India by 191 runs in the final, and will play a minimum of four matches in the tri-series, starting at Harare Sports Club on Saturday.
“The Asia Cup was a good win for us and the players showed great morale and intensity,” Pakistan captain Farhan Yousaf said, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). “The tri-series is very important for the players and will help us find the right combinations ahead of the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup.”
Pakistan will face Zimbabwe on Dec. 29 before meeting Afghanistan again on Jan. 2, followed by a second match against the hosts on Jan. 4. Matches will be played across venues in Harare, including Harare Sports Club, Prince Edward School and Sunrise Sports Club.
The tri-series is being seen as an important warm-up ahead of the U19 World Cup, which will be held from Jan. 15 to Feb. 6. Pakistan are placed in Group C and will play all their group-stage matches in Harare.
“The conditions here are similar and will be beneficial for our World Cup preparations,” Yousaf said. “Both teams in the tournament are strong and competitive and we respect every opposition as we look forward to a competitive event.”
Pakistan will open their World Cup campaign against England on Jan. 16, followed by matches against Scotland and Zimbabwe, with the Super Six stage beginning on Jan. 25 and the final scheduled for Feb. 6 at Harare Sports Club.
