KARACHI: Imran Khan’s former teammates and rivals have congratulated the World Cup winner after his party won the most seats in Pakistan’s election.
The Election Commission said Friday that Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party enjoyed a strong lead over the outgoing Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) but short of an overall majority.
Khan will likely need to enter into a coalition to form a government.
“Congratulating the new Prime Minister of our country,” tweeted ex-bowler Wasim Akram, who was part of Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup winning side captained by Khan.
Wasim had thrown his support behind Khan, 65, in the run-up to the election.
“It was in your leadership skip @ImrankhanPTI that we became world champions in 1992. It is in your leadership that we can again become a great democratic country,” he wrote on Twitter.
Wasim’s new ball partner Waqar Younis — who also flourished under Khan’s tutelage — praised the leader-elect’s live broadcast to the nation on Thursday in which he claimed victory in the election.
“A special speech from a Great Leader..Very simple, honest and practical..Feeling so proud to be a student of such a Mentor.. Congratulations Skipper,” he tweeted.
Another member of Pakistan’s triumphant World Cup squad Ramiz Raja also lavished praise on Khan, considered one of Pakistan’s best ever all-rounders.
“Who could be a bigger and better example of a leader than Imran Khan, who as a super star had the world at his feet and yet elbow greased for 22 years to work for his objective and vision..he’s special and we are proud to have him as our Prime Minister,” Raja posted on Twitter.
Khan, who vowed to improve relations with arch-rival India in his first comments following Wednesday’s polls, also received praise from across the border.
“Imran is the epitome of setting the bar high and reaching it. Congratulations & good luck to my cricketing hero, Imran Khan!” tweeted former Indian batsman Sanjay Manjrekar, who scored a double hundred against a Khan-led Pakistan in 1989.
Ex-Indian all-rounder Kapil Dev, who was a contemporary of Khan, tipped the former right-arm fast bowler to “deliver” as Pakistani leader in a TV interview.
“It looks nice that a cricketer and one who we know is going to be the PM,” said Dev.
Current Pakistan players Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Hafeez also posted messages on Twitter.
“Congrats to @ImranKhanPTI i hope u guys will do the best for Pakistan,” tweeted Amir.
“Ma Shaa Allah (God has willed) @ImranKhanPTI U done it once again. Long marathon struggle against corruption. A man of strong belief,” wrote Hafeez.
Cricket teammates, rivals congratulate Pakistan’s Khan on vote win
Cricket teammates, rivals congratulate Pakistan’s Khan on vote win
Training of 89,000 Pakistani Hajj pilgrims under government scheme in ‘final stages’ — minister
- Pakistan holds nationwide camps to ensure pilgrims are well-informed and prepared for the spiritual and physical journey
- This year, 89,000 Pakistanis will perform Hajj under the government scheme and 23,620 with private tour operators
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said on Friday the training of 89,000 pilgrims performing Hajj under the government scheme was in the “final stages” to ensure they were fully aware of the rituals, logistics, and regulations associated with the annual pilgrimage.
Hajj is expected to take place in June this year.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed the Hajj Agreement 2025 in January, under which Pakistan was given a quota of 179,210 pilgrims. This year, 89,000 people will perform Hajj under the government scheme and 23,620 with private tour operators.
Each year ahead of the pilgrimage, Pakistan holds nationwide training camps to ensure pilgrims are well-informed and prepared for the spiritual and physical journey, as well as to maintain discipline and uniformity during the Hajj.
“Under our government scheme, 89,000 pilgrims will perform Hajj this year and all the formalities and procedures have been completed,” Yousuf told journalists in Islamabad.
“This training is being provided at the final stage to ensure that pilgrims are fully prepared and knowledgeable in line with Saudi guidelines to avoid any difficulties during their journey.”
“Master trainers and religious scholars” had been engaged to ensure that the administrative procedures were properly understood and pilgrims were well-informed about the correct way to perform Hajj, Yousuf said, adding that the religious affairs ministry’s main objective was to ensure pilgrims from Pakistan were “well informed, well prepared and received maximum assistance.”
Mandatory vaccinations for Pakistani Hajj pilgrims, including meningitis and flu shots, would be administered on April 20, while travelers from yellow fever and polio-prone regions must present valid immunization certificates.
The precautions are vital to prevent the spread of infectious diseases among millions of pilgrims converging in the Kingdom from across the globe.
Hajj flight operations are set to begin on Apr. 29, with the first flight departing from Pakistan’s eastern city of Lahore.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has also formed a three-member inquiry committee to investigate why Pakistan failed to fully utilize its quota of 179,210 pilgrims for Hajj 2025.
Pakistani PM assures Punjab province of support in exporting wheat
- Traders and industry representatives are advocating for government to authorize export of surplus wheat
- Pakistan has not allowed wheat exports since 2019-2020 due to domestic supply and food security concerns
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday assured support to the government in Pakistan’s most populous Punjab province in exporting wheat and related products following the approval of a $53.5 million (Rs15 billion) wheat support fund for farmers.
The Punjab government on Wednesday unveiled the package aimed at supporting wheat farmers facing falling prices during the harvest season and as farmers staged protests across various parts of the province. The move is part of the federal and Punjab governments’ broader effort to support the agricultural sector amid rising input costs and climate-related challenges.
Under the scheme, 550,000 wheat farmers will be given direct financial support through the Kisan Card. Additionally, the Punjab government plans to seek federal approval for the export of surplus wheat and related products. The Bank of Punjab will also finance private-sector efforts to renovate or construct warehouses to improve wheat storage infrastructure.
“The federal government will provide full support to the Punjab government in the export of wheat and wheat products,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s office said in a statement.
Traders and industry representatives are advocating for the government to authorize the export of surplus wheat to stabilize the market and improve prices for farmers. Last year, farmers in Pakistan held weeks-long protests over lower wheat prices due to the import of excess amounts of the commodity that flooded local markets.
Pakistan has not allowed wheat exports since 2019-2020 due to domestic supply concerns and the need to ensure food security. This decision was also influenced by the farmer protests against wheat imports flooding the market. While the government aims to stabilize the domestic wheat market by regulating imports and exports, recent decisions have been met with criticism, particularly from farmers who feel their interests are being overlooked.
Agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and constitutes its largest sector. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), agriculture contributes about 24 percent of the Gross Domestic Product and accounts for half of employed labor force in the country.
In Pakistan, wheat crops are planted in mid-December and the harvest usually begins in March, with the majority of the crop harvested between April and early June.
Pakistan, UK discuss counterterrorism, security cooperation to tackle cross-border crime
- Pakistan-UK Counter Terrorism Dialogue took place in London in February, reviewing global and regional threats
- Armed forces of both countries maintain close cooperation, particularly in counterterrorism efforts, military training
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United Kingdom (UK) have held talks on counterterrorism and security cooperation as both countries seek to promote bilateral cooperation to combat cross-border crimes, state media reported on Friday.
The second round of the Pakistan-UK Counter Terrorism Dialogue took place in London in February 2025, reviewing global and regional threats and exchanging best practices. Over the years, the armed forces of both countries have also maintained close cooperation, particularly in counterterrorism efforts and professional military training.
“During the meeting discussions were held on Pakistan-UK relations, including enhancing cooperation in counterterrorism, security and preventing cross-border crimes,” Radio Pakistan said in a report following a meeting between Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and British Under Secretary of State for Faith, Communities and Resettlement Lord Wajid Khan.
Earlier this month, Rana Sanaullah, an adviser to Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif, had met British High Commissioner Jane Marriott to discuss enhancing security cooperation between the two countries and adopting a joint strategy against “terrorism.”
Last June, Pakistan and the UK agreed to enhance cooperation in the fields of organized crime and the prevention of illegal immigration during Naqvi’s meeting with National Crime Agency Director-General James Babbage and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Director-General Jonathan Allen.
In 2022, the UK signed an agreement with Pakistan allowing the return of foreign criminals and immigration offenders from the UK. Under this arrangement, Pakistani nationals with no legal right to stay in the UK including criminals, failed asylum seekers and immigration violators, can be deported.
Pakistanis currently represent the seventh-largest group of foreign criminals in prisons across England and Wales, accounting for nearly 3 percent of the foreign national offender population.
Hungarian foreign minister leads business delegation to Islamabad amid investment push
- Péter Szijjártó attends business forum with 17-member Hungarian business group in Islamabad
- Pakistan and Hungary sign agreement to abolish visa requirements for diplomatic passport holders
ISLAMABAD: Top companies from Hungary are in Pakistan this week for business-to-business engagements with their counterparts, the Hungarian foreign minister said, as Islamabad pushes to seek investments from allies old and new to bolster its struggling economy.
The IMF’s $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF), approved last year, has played a key role in stabilizing Pakistan’s economy in recent months and set it on the path of long-term recovery. However, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government has vowed to reduce dependence on foreign loans in the coming years and seek more direct investment.
“I have brought with me top business leaders from Hungary. They are meeting with their Pakistani counterparts in B2B sessions today, and we hope to see new partnerships and trade avenues open,” Hungarian Foreign and Trade Minister Péter Szijjártó, who led a 17-member Hungarian business delegation to Islamabad, said at a business forum on Thursday.
Key public and private sector representatives from both countries attended the business forum to identify sector-specific synergies. Hungarian delegates represented industries such as IT, agri-tech, water management, health tech and advanced manufacturing, sectors in line with Pakistan’s development goals.
The Hungarian foreign minister also pointed to opportunities for collaboration in various sectors, including energy, agriculture, IT, food security, sports, and advanced manufacturing, and said a Hungarian private airline was exploring launching operations in Pakistan, indicating growing interest and confidence in the Pakistani market.
Szijjártó called Pakistan an “important economic partner” and emphasized Hungary’s continued advocacy for Pakistan’s preferential trade access to European markets under the GSP+ scheme.
“Hungary stands with Pakistan on the GSP+ front. It not only benefits Pakistan’s exports but also strengthens EU-Pakistan relations through sustainable development and inclusive trade,” he said.
Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, speaking at the business forum, welcomed Hungary’s continued support for Pakistan’s GSP+ status and praised Hungary’s technological strengths, particularly in seed technology, agriculture feed, and the services sector.
“Our economic reforms are designed to improve ease of doing business, attract foreign investment, and create strong infrastructure to support sustainable growth,” said Kamal, highlighting several government initiatives such as the National Tariff Policy, Strategic Trade Policy Framework, Pakistan Single Window, and transit trade agreements with Central Asian countries aimed at enhancing regional and global trade integration.
On Thursday, Pakistan and Hungary signed an agreement to abolish visa requirements for diplomatic passport holders of both countries, along with two memorandums of understanding in the fields of culture and archaeology.
Pakistan seals spot in Women’s Cricket World Cup after recording four straight wins
- After defeating Ireland, Scotland and the West Indies, Pakistan thumped Thailand by 87 runs
- Bangladesh, Scotland and the West Indies are still in contention for the one remaining spot
LAHORE: Pakistan secured a place in the Women’s Cricket World Cup by beating Thailand on Thursday for its fourth straight victory in the qualifying tournament.
After defeating Ireland, Scotland and the West Indies, Pakistan thumped Thailand by 87 runs at the Qaddafi Stadium in Lahore to seal one of the two vacant World Cup places.
Bangladesh, Scotland and the West Indies are still in contention for the remaining spot to join host India, Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka in the eight-team, 50-over tournament later this year.
Bangladesh, which has won three of its four games, will play Pakistan on Saturday, when the West Indies round faces Thailand. Scotland meets Ireland on Friday in its last game.
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana led from the front and took 10 wickets in four games. She is second on the bowling chart in the qualifying tournament behind Hayley Matthews of the West Indies, who has bagged 12 wickets in four games.
Sana orchestrated Pakistan’s place at the World Cup with her brilliant all-round performance against Thailand as she scored a half-century and then claimed 3-39 with her medium fast bowling.
The International Cricket Council has not yet announced the dates and venues of the World Cup, but last December agreed to a hybrid model due to severe political relations between India and Pakistan. All matches involving India and Pakistan in an ICC event will be played at a neutral venue.
