Pakistan beat Iran to clinch U-16 Asian Volleyball Championship

Pakistani team celebrates after beating Iran to win U-16 Asian Volleyball Championship at the Nakhon Pathom Gymnasium in Thailand on July 19, 2025. (Asian Volleyball Confederation)
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Updated 20 July 2025
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Pakistan beat Iran to clinch U-16 Asian Volleyball Championship

  • Pakistan defeats Iran by 3-2 (22-25, 21-25, 30-28, 25-21, 15-10) during final in Thailand 
  • Pakistan qualified for FIVB U-17 World Championship 2026 after beating India this week

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan beat formidable opponents Iran this week to clinch the second Asian Men’s Under-16 Volleyball Championship 2025 in Thailand, state-run media reported. 

Pakistan stormed into the finals of the championship, which was being held in Nakhon Phanom, Thailand, after downing arch-rivals India with set scores of 25-16, 25-19, and 25-12 on Friday. 

The green shirts went on to beat Iran by 3-2 (22-25, 21-25, 30-28, 25-21, 15-10) in what state-run media Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) described as a “nail-biting” 5-set thriller on Saturday. 

“Pakistan team has created history by winning the gold medal in the 2nd Asian Men’s U-16 Volleyball Championship 2025,” APP reported on Saturday. 

It said Pakistan won the encounter after being down by 0-2, showing “unmatched resilience” to make a comeback and clinch the gold medal. 

“The match saw incredible contributions from top performers including Junaid, Faizan, Talha and Irfan,” the state media added. 

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took to social media platform X to congratulate the team for their win. 

“Great match Champs! Pakistan’s U16 volleyball team wins the Asian U16 Volleyball Championship after an enthralling performance,” Sharif wrote.

Pakistan has not only secured first position but also qualified earlier for the FIVB U-17 World Championship 2026, after beating traditional rivals India in the semifinal. 


Islamic military coalition, Pakistan to deepen cooperation to combat ‘terrorism’ — Pakistani military

Updated 02 February 2026
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Islamic military coalition, Pakistan to deepen cooperation to combat ‘terrorism’ — Pakistani military

  • Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition is a 43-member alliance that includes Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, UAE and other nations
  • The Pakistani military statement comes after a meeting between IMCTC secretary-general and the chief of Pakistani defense forces in Rawalpindi

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation, including intelligence sharing and capacity building, to jointly combat “terrorism” and “extremism,” the Pakistani military said on Monday.

The IMCTC is a 43-member military alliance that was formed on Saudi Arabia’s initiative in Dec. 2015 to consolidate Muslim countries’ efforts in countering “terrorism.”

A 17-member IMCTC delegation is visiting Pakistan from Feb. 2-6 to conduct a training at National University of Sciences and Technology on “Re-integration and Rehabilitation of Extremist Elements,” according to the Pakistani military.

On Monday, IMCTC Secretary-General Maj. Gen. Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Moghedi held a meeting with Chief of Pakistani Defense Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir to discuss cooperation among IMCTC member states.

“During the meeting, matters of mutual interest were discussed, with particular emphasis on regional security dynamics and enhanced cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani military’s media wing, said in a statement.

“Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to combating terrorism and extremism through collaborative strategies, intelligence sharing, and capacity building among member states.”

The IMCTC features Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Afghanistan, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Palestine, UAE, Bangladesh and other nations. In 2017, Pakistan’s former army chief Gen. (retd) Raheel Sharif was appointed as the IMCTC commander-in-chief.

During discussions with Major General Al-Moghedi, Field Marshal Munir appreciated the role of IMCTC in fostering stability and promoting coordinated counterterrorism initiatives across the Islamic world, according to the ISPR.

The IMCTC secretary-general acknowledged Pakistan’s significant contributions and sacrifices in the fight against militancy and lauded the professionalism of Pakistan’s armed forces.

“The meeting underscored the resolve of both sides to further strengthen institutional collaboration for peace, stability, and security in the region,” the ISPR added.

Pakistan enjoys cordial ties with most Muslim countries around the world, particularly Gulf Cooperation Council countries. In Sept. 2025, Pakistan signed a landmark defense pact with Saudi Arabia according to which an act of aggression against one country will be treated as an act of aggression against both.