A comprehensive skills development camp for national cricketers officially began in Lahore on Monday, with several prominent players, including Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, actively participating in training sessions focused on enhancing their fitness and overall performance. The camp, being conducted at the LCCA Ground under the direct supervision of National Cricket Academy (NCA) coaches, is structured into three distinct phases. The initial phase involves 15 players, with a strong emphasis on refining their fielding, batting techniques, and general physical conditioning. According to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the morning session commenced with intensive fielding drills, in which both Babar…
Author: Raja Zahid Khanzada
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially released the complete schedule for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, with hosts India set to kick off the marquee tournament on September 30 in Bengaluru against Sri Lanka. Due to diplomatic sensitivities, all of Pakistan’s matches will be held at neutral venues, with Colombo confirmed as their base for the tournament. One of the most anticipated fixtures, the Pakistan-India encounter, is scheduled to take place on October 5 in Colombo. The Pakistan women’s team will commence their campaign on October 2 against Bangladesh. Their second fixture, a high-voltage match against traditional…
The Punjab government on Monday revealed a series of ambitious healthcare reforms within its provincial budget for the fiscal year 2025-26. Key initiatives include the establishment of the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital in Lahore and the transformation of Basic Health Units (BHUs) into Maryam Health Clinics across the province. Presenting the budget in the Punjab Assembly amidst vocal protests from opposition members, Finance Minister Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman announced the construction of a state-of-the-art cancer treatment facility, named after former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. This hospital, estimated to cost Rs72 billion, will be built in the provincial capital. The new facility…
The Punjab government has earmarked a substantial Rs148 billion under the development budget for the education sector in the fiscal year 2025–26. While presenting the provincial budget in the Punjab Assembly, Finance Minister Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman unveiled a series of strategic initiatives designed to elevate the educational landscape across the province. The allocated funds encompass provisions for initiating new projects, expanding existing educational programs, and providing significant support for infrastructure development and student scholarships. A prominent feature of the education budget is the allocation of Rs15 billion for merit-based scholarships, specifically targeting high-achieving students. Additionally, the government has committed to…
The Ministry of Religious Affairs is poised to initiate advance registration for Hajj 2026 within the next four to five days. This new measure will mandate all aspiring pilgrims, whether intending to travel under government or private Hajj schemes, to complete an advance registration. According to sources within the ministry, this step is an integral part of a refreshed pre-planning strategy designed to ensure superior arrangements for Pakistani pilgrims, in close collaboration with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, which has already emphasized the importance of early preparations. Under this revised policy, applicants will be required to deposit a…
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari has hailed the recently unveiled Punjab Budget 2025–26 as “historic in every respect,” asserting that it ushers in unprecedented investment across numerous sectors, alongside significant relief and development initiatives for journalists, artists, and the broader public. Speaking at a press conference in Lahore following the budget announcement, Bukhari remarked, “The manner in which this development budget has been presented is truly historic. No previous government has invested this extensively across so many sectors concurrently.” Highlighting key initiatives, she announced the imminent issuance of health cards to journalists and artists, a commitment that had previously remained…
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, addressing the Senate on Monday, reaffirmed Pakistan’s robust defense readiness and nuclear capabilities amidst escalating regional tensions. He categorically stated that any aggressive act against Pakistan would be met with an immediate and decisive response. “Anyone who casts an ill eye upon Pakistan will have that eye gouged out. The Pakistani nation stands united, and a brick thrown at us will be answered with a stone. We remain on high alert,” Dar asserted. He underscored that Pakistan’s nuclear program is an invaluable national asset and a sacred trust for future generations,…
On Monday, officials from the Airports Security Force (ASF) at Islamabad Airport reported confiscating crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as Ice, valued at Rs100 million, from a passenger bound for Muscat. According to available information, the passenger, identified as Noorullah Khan, had reportedly concealed 790 grams of Ice within the lower compartment of his trolley bag. ASF personnel successfully intercepted the smuggling attempt during a search operation, recovering the illicit drugs. The suspect, along with the seized narcotics, has been handed over to Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) officials for subsequent legal proceedings
On Monday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif presided over a high-level meeting to review existing and forthcoming IT training programs for the youth. During the session, he issued clear directives aimed at positioning Pakistan as a regional IT powerhouse by equipping its younger generation with world-class digital competencies. Emphasizing the critical importance of a contemporary and sustainable Information and Communication Technology (ICT) ecosystem, the Prime Minister stated, “Our youth represent Pakistan’s most invaluable asset. We must empower them through advanced IT education to enable them to secure meaningful employment and significantly contribute to the national economy.” During the meeting, which saw…
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed the immediate establishment of a special committee to impose stricter controls on the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) proposed authority to arrest tax defaulters. He emphasized that “the harassment of regular taxpayers will never be tolerated.” Prime Minister Sharif instructed the FBR to address the concerns regarding the bureau’s power to apprehend tax defaulters. A special committee was formed and tasked with the responsibility of building consensus among all parliamentary parties. Key Deliberations from the Meeting: Restricted Arrest Authority: Arrests are to be applied solely to “unusually large” tax defaulters, not ordinary businesses.…
