KARACHI: The streets of Karachi and other cities of southern Sindh province wear a deserted look after an electric election campaign ended midnight on Monday. However, political parties say they still have a lot to do before the polling starts on Wednesday morning.
“The campaign has officially ended but there is no rest for us as we still have to do a lot before polling starts tomorrow,” Aminul Haque, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) spokesperson and candidate for NA251 Orangi constituency, told Arab News.
“By Monday night I had done 60 different jalsas (election gatherings) in the most difficult times under serious terrorist threats, especially in Bannu and Karak, and in the hottest weather. I want to thank the hundreds of thousands of people who came to these jalsas,” Imran Khan, chairman of the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) tweeted, officially calling it a day.
On the last day of the campaigning, the PTI chairman addressed four rallies in Lahore.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president, Shehbaz Sharif, who concluded his party’s election campaign by holding a public rally in Dera Ghazi Khan, tweeted: “Back in Lahore after a grueling campaign, capped by a huge, charged jalsa in DG Khan, morale among our supporters is very high. Leading the campaign in the absence of Mian sahib and with all the hurdles was a big challenge, but our part rose to the occasion.”
“Lucky to have such a good, motivated team. We fought the good fight and, what’s more important, we are on the right side of history! Let us VOTE on the 25th for the bright future of Pakistan and Pakistanis!” Sharif said in another tweet.
The Pakistan People’s Party Chairman, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who addressed public gatherings in Shahdatkot, Garhi Khairi, Jacobabad, Shikarpur and Garhi Yasin before paying a visit to the graves of former prime ministers Benazir Bhutto and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, tweeted: “What an incredible journey this has been, across every corner of this great country. Thank you for all the love you have shown. This campaign has highlighted more than ever the need for us to come 2gether as a nation 2 build a peaceful, prosperous and progressive Pakistan #July25.”
On its last day, the Muttahida Majlis Amal (MMA) leaders Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Sirajul Haq addressed election rallies in Lower Dir, whereas Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) held its last in its stronghold, Liaquatabad locality of the city.
Haque said the list of election-related things to do is long.
“Today, the MQM’s candidates and working team will ensure if the voters’ cards have been distributed and if the permission for setting up polling camps has been obtained,” Haque said, adding that preparing material, arranging transport and placing an order of Biryani for polling-day lunch are also among the list.
The door-to-door contact campaign also continues and the parties say they are ensuring that no one is left unattended. “Today, we will ensure that everyone has been asked to vote for us,” Haque said.
“The workers we needed till last night are required at the election cells of constituencies for planning of polling-day strategy,” Waqas Shaukat, a Pakistan People’s Party leader, told Arab News.
Zahid Askari, the MMA spokesman in Karachi, says duties for his party workers have already been assigned. “Our workers will check in today for briefing regarding their election duties, including working as polling agent and persuading workers and commuting those needing transport to the polling station,” Askari told Arab News.
Askari said locally the workers continue to contact the electorate about coming on the polling day to vote.
Speaking to Arab News, Chief Secretary Sindh, retired Major Azam Suleman Khan said the election material was taken to polling stations in the presence of army personnel and police. “The process is still under way and it will be completed shortly,” he said.
Khan says a comprehensive security plan has been chalked out to hold peaceful elections across the Sindh province. “Army, paramilitary rangers and police will jointly provide security at 17,747 polling stations, of which 5673 have been declared sensitive,” Khan said, adding that at each polling station four army personnel, two inside and two outside the station, will be deployed to ensure security along rangers and police whereas a quick response force will also be ready.
“We have held a series of meetings with the parties’ leaders and with their cooperation and tightened security we will hold a peaceful election,” he vowed.
“We have also installed 21,000 CCTV cameras in sensitive polling stations across the Sindh, which will be centrally monitored,” Khan concluded.
Campaign over but there are still things to do for political workers in Karachi
Campaign over but there are still things to do for political workers in Karachi
- Army, paramilitary rangers and police will jointly provide security at 17,747 polling stations, of which 5,673 have been declared sensitive
- City witnesses door-to-door contact campaigns despite parties ending election gatherings
South Africa opt for all-pace attack in first Test against Pakistan
- The two-match series is crucial for South Africa, who will qualify for next year’s World Test Championship final if they win one of the matches
- Pakistan have only won two out of 15 Tests in South Africa but they will go into the series on the back of a convincing 3-0 one-day series win
CENTURION: South African captain Temba Bavuma on Tuesday announced an all-pace attack for the first Test against Pakistan starting at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Thursday.
The two-match series is crucial for South Africa, who will qualify for next year’s World Test Championship final if they win one of the matches.
“We back our seamers at Centurion,” Bavuma said at his pre-match press conference.
Fast bowler Corbin Bosch will make his debut for a team missing several leading pace bowlers because of injury. He plays for the Titans provincial team whose home ground is at Centurion.
Bosch, 30, is the son of the late Tertius Bosch, who played in South Africa’s first post-isolation Test, against the West Indies in Barbados in 1992.
“He will be playing at the venue where he has made a name for himself in the provincial set-up,” said Bavuma. “He adds that element of extra pace. He’s a big, strong guy who hits the deck hard and he offers a role with the bat as well.”
Bosch bowled at more than 140kmh (87mph) when he made his one-day international debut against Pakistan in Johannesburg on Sunday and hit 40 not out as a lower-order batsman.
Bavuma said his players were aware of the significance of being on the verge of reaching the world championship final.
“We know what’s at stake. There’s confidence and belief because of the good cricket we have played over the last while. Nothing has happened by accident.”
South Africa’s progress in the Test championship final has come despite Cricket South Africa’s deliberate downgrading of Test cricket to accommodate a high-profile Twenty20 franchise series.
South Africa’s schedule of 12 Tests — all in two-match series — is the joint lowest with Bangladesh in the championship cycle. England have played 22 matches, while Australia and India will have played 19 each when they complete their fixtures.
The system of average points has propelled South Africa to the top of the table despite virtually forfeiting a series in New Zealand when coach Shukri Conrad was prevented from selecting any players contracted to the SA20 league.
South Africa did not play against Australia or England and their only series against one of the “big three” Test nations was a tied one against India.
Pakistan have only won two out of 15 Tests in South Africa but will go into the series on the back of a convincing 3-0 one-day series win. Seven of the Pakistan squad and eight of the South African Test team players were involved in the one-day games.
Teams:
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (captain), Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wkt), Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson.
Pakistan: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel, Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Haseebullah Khan, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wkt), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha.
Azeri air and ground crew undergo training at Pakistan Air Force base
- A high-level Azerbaijani delegation also called on Pakistan’s air chief on Tuesday to discuss training cooperation
- The visit signifies resolute commitment of both countries to reinforce military partnership, Pakistani military says
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has been enhancing operational capabilities of the Azerbaijan Air Force by training Azeri air and ground crews at an operational Pakistani base, the Pakistani military said on Tuesday.
The statement came after a high-level Azerbaijani delegation, comprising Deputy Defense Minister Agil Gurbanov and Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Namig Islamzade, called on Pakistan’s air chief, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, at the Air Headquarters in Islamabad.
The officials discussed the importance of training cooperation, with Air Chief Marshal Sidhu reaffirming his commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation in operational and training areas, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani military’s media wing.
“He noted that the [ongoing] training program is on schedule, with over 50 percent of the training objectives successfully achieved,” the ISPR said in a statement.
“He further emphasized that the initiative is expected to culminate within one-month timeframe, reflecting the commitment of PAF to enhance the operational capabilities of Azerbaijan Air Force.”
The air chief highlighted the PAF’s recent accomplishments, reflecting his vision of operational excellence in modern warfare, according to the ISPR.
The visiting dignitaries lauded the professionalism demonstrated by PAF personnel and their notable progress in developing a thriving domestic capability in the aviation industry in a short timeframe.
“The dignitaries expressed satisfaction on the training imparted to 70 aircrew & technicians getting trained in PAF and expressed their desire for enhanced Air Force to Air Force collaboration between the two sides,” the ISPR statement read.
“Emphasizing on the need to adapting to the evolving landscape of modern warfare, the Azerbaijan military leadership also proposed the establishment of a more comprehensive training regimen focusing on niche and disruptive technologies, as well as cyber and electronic warfare capabilities.”
Later the delegation visited the PAF Cyber Command at the Air Headquarters, where it was briefed about the operational capabilities and ongoing projects of PAF’s modernization drive.
The Pakistani military said the visit of the high-level defense delegation from Azerbaijan signified a resolute commitment of both countries to reinforce their military partnership, fostering collaboration and promoting robust relations.
In recent months, there has been a flurry of visits by Azerbaijani officials to Pakistan, highlighting the growing cooperation between the two countries in various sectors. Pakistan, which has been facing an economic crisis, is currently making efforts to position itself as a pivotal trade and transit hub connecting Central Asian states and China with the rest of the world.
In July, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev’s arrived in Pakistan on a two-day visit, during which both nations agreed to enhance the volume of bilateral trade to $2 billion and vowed to increase cooperation in mutually beneficial economic projects.
Last week, Pakistan waived customs and regulatory duties on imports from Azerbaijan under the Pakistan-Azerbaijan Preferential Trade Agreement. The agreement signed on July 11 aimed to boost economic cooperation by reducing tariffs on goods like Pakistan’s sports equipment, leather, and pharmaceuticals apart from Azerbaijan’s oil and gas products.
Pakistan’s Imran Khan demands ‘time frame’ for progress in talks with government
- The jailed ex-premier seeks a meeting with his negotiating team to get the details of the process
- Government asked Khan’s PTI to bring its demands in writing in the next round of talks on Jan. 2
ISLAMABAD: Former Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday called for a “time frame” within which negotiations with the government should progress and the demands of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, including the release of political prisoners, should be addressed.
Khan’s message was conveyed by Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, chairman of PTI, after meeting the ex-premier at a high-security prison in Rawalpindi. The former prime minister, who has been imprisoned for over a year on charges he claims are politically motivated, has threatened to launch a civil disobedience movement by urging overseas Pakistanis to halt remittances if his demands are not met.
Khan’s demands include the release of all PTI political prisoners and the establishment of judicial commissions to investigate violent protests on May 9 last year and Nov. 26 this year, which the government claims involved PTI supporters.
His insistence on a time frame comes just a day after the government initiated formal negotiations with the PTI, asking it to bring all its demands in writing.
“I informed Khan Sahib about the negotiations that have started,” Gohar said while speaking to the media after the meeting. “Khan Sahib said it’s a good thing that negotiations are taking place, but there should be a time frame within which progress should be made.”
Asked about the exact time frame he had in mind, Gohar said Khan had not specified one, only emphasizing that progress on his party’s demands should happen “as soon as possible.”
He described his interaction with Khan as a “routine meeting” lasting half an hour.
Gohar said PTI plans to present its charter of demands in the next round of talks, scheduled for Jan. 2, and expressed hope for meaningful results.
Meanwhile, Khan reiterated his stance through a post on X, formerly Twitter, calling for his nominated negotiation team to meet him.
“To make the negotiation process meaningful, it is important that I meet with my nominated negotiation team so that I can have a proper understanding of what is going on,” he said.
The ex-premier maintained that his party would postpone the civil disobedience movement if its demands were implemented but expressed skepticism about the government’s willingness to investigate the May 9 and November 26 incidents.
“We will not allow that to happen,” he added.
Pakistan Railways starts manufacturing new coaches after technology transfer from China
- Pakistan will assemble 184 new passenger coaches at Railways Carriage Factory in Islamabad in next three years
- China is also helping Pakistan upgrade and dualize an existing Main Line- 1 rail track from Karachi till Peshawar
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Railways (PR) has started production of new train coaches in the country, Pakistani state media reported on Tuesday, following the transfer of technology from China.
The South Asian country has been able to locally produce high-speed passenger coaches and goods wagons using technology transferred by China, according to media reports.
China has also helped build capacity of PR engineers and technicians who have succeeded in manufacturing new coaches and wagons at workshops in Lahore and Islamabad.
"As many as 184 new passenger coaches would also be assembled at Pakistan Railways Carriage Factory, Islamabad during the next three years," the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) state news agency reported, citing a railways official.
PR Executive Officer Amir Ali Baloch said that a new Green Line-styled train will be run between Lahore and Karachi soon, according to the Radio Pakistan broadcaster.
He said he had issued orders to further improve the quality of food and drink in trains, and requested public to take special care of cleanliness.
Last month, China and Pakistan discussed advancement of rail, road and economic zone projects under the multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a part of China's Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to connect China to the Arabian Sea through a network of roads, railways, pipelines and ports in Pakistan and help Islamabad expand and modernize its economy.
The discussions on key projects were held during Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong's meeting with Pakistani Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, according to Pakistan's Press Information Department (PID).
China is also helping Pakistan upgrade and dualize an existing Main Line- 1 (ML-1) railway track, built in the late 19th century. The $6.8 billion, 1,872-kilometer-long ML-1 line connects the southern Pakistani port city of Karachi to Peshawar in the country's northwest.
ICC Champions Trophy schedule announced, matches split between Pakistan and Dubai
- The tournament is set to begin on 19 February in Karachi, with Pakistan taking on New Zealand
- ICC says Lahore will host the final match of the cricket contest on 9 March, unless India qualify
ISLAMABAD: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday unveiled the schedule for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which will take place from February 19 to March 9, with matches hosted across Pakistan and Dubai in a hybrid model.
The tournament’s structure follows a compromise 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.
“The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 fixtures and groupings have been announced by the ICC ... with the tournament set to begin on 19 February in Karachi with the final on 9 March,” the global governing body of cricket announced in a statement on its website.
“The eight-team tournament will feature 15 matches, and will be played across Pakistan and in Dubai,” it added. “Lahore will also host the final on 9 March, unless India qualify, in which case it will be played in Dubai. Both the semifinals and the final will have reserve days.”
In Pakistan, Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi will host three group-stage games each. Lahore is also set to host the second semifinal.
Meanwhile, Dubai will host all three of India’s group matches and the first semifinal, should India qualify.
The tournament opener on February 19 will feature Pakistan taking on New Zealand in Karachi, while India will face Bangladesh in Dubai on February 20.
This will be the ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy and its return after an eight-year hiatus, the last tournament having taken place in England in 2017. The event will feature the top eight teams in world cricket competing for one of the sport’s most prestigious titles.
The hybrid model, while a logistical challenge, aims to strike a balance between accommodating geopolitical realities and ensuring the integrity of the tournament, which cricket fans worldwide await.
