PESHAWAR: With an aim to facilitate trade and economic activities along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border at Torkham, Pakistani authorities have finalized all arrangements to keep the border crossing open round-the-clock, with Prime Minister Imran Khan scheduled to inaugurate the facility in August, a top official from the Khyber tribal district told Arab News.
“Keeping in view the prime minister's earlier directions, the Khyber district administration, including other departments such as custom and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), have completed all requirements to keep this strategic border open 24/7,” Mahmood Aslam Wazir, deputy commissioner of the district told Arab News.
Traders and custom clearing agents from both the countries expressed optimism that an uninterrupted flow of business along the Torkham border would result in a far-reaching and positive impact for the economies of the two countries.
Khan Jan Alokozay, deputy chief of Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) told Arab News that Pakistan's role was of paramount importance, especially to facilitate Afghanistan’s incessant trade and economic activities.
“The economies of both the neighbors will touch new heights the day the idea (keeping the Torkham border opened round-the-clock) is materialized,” he added.
Faiz Muhammad, President Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), said that, currently, the Islamabad-Kabul trade volume was below $1 billion annually due to certain trade barriers and high tariff rates levied by the Afghan government on Pakistani goods.
“I’m sure commerce and trade will be increased by up to $3 billion annually in the first six months if the border is kept open 24/7,” he said.
However, Alokozay said his country was the best available market for Pakistani goods, adding that the initiative would create more space for Pakistani products to thrive in the Afghan market.
“I think enhanced business between the two countries will ultimately lead to [a] solution [to end] political differences between the two immediate neighbors. The option of keeping the border open will help achieve the $6 billion bilateral trade volume annually,” he said.
Arafat Khan, a Pakistani businessman who trades along the Torkham border, said that keeping the crossing open would ensure multiply trade activities between the two neighbors, provided the governments sort out the mechanism to ease trade barriers and bureaucratic formalities for a smooth release of goods without unnecessary delay.
“Bilateral business will get a huge boost if the border is kept open, but trade volume can only be increased if Islamabad-Kabul move to ease existing trade obstacles,” he added.
Hazrat Nabi Toor, President of the Afghanistan’s custom clearing association at Torkham, said that the concerned authorities from both the countries should work toward resolving unnecessary trade hurdles.
“The border is closed since last Friday because of protest by businessmen against trade barriers. These kinds of protests cause (losses such as for perishable goods) vegetables and fruits get rotten,” he added.
Aftab Shinwari, a Pakistani trader who frequents the area, said that the move would work as a huge advantage for businessmen from both the countries.
“Currently there seems to be no trade mechanism in place at Torkham because the border can be shut any time, which inflicts heavy losses on businessmen,” he said.
The deputy commissioner said his administration has intensified efforts to facilitate the business community once the border is operational 24/7.
Pakistan's border with Afghanistan to remain open 24/7 from August
Pakistan's border with Afghanistan to remain open 24/7 from August
- PM Khan will inaugurate the new initiative along Torkham crossing
- Businessmen hope the move will boost trade ties between both countries
Pakistan launches first dematerialized ID card on silver jubilee of database authority
- Digital Pakistan initiative aims to expand knowledge-based economy, spur socio-economic growth using digital technologies
- Pakistan has made considerable progress in its digital transformation journey with rapid expansion of mobile broadband networks
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) marked its silver jubilee on Monday, launching the country’s first dematerialized ID card to commemorate 25 years in legal identity management and national database integration.
The launch of the new card is part of the government’s vision of a Digital Pakistan, where citizens will have digital certificates instead of material ID or, at least, in addition to material ones.
“Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi commended the launch of the dematerialized ID as a step toward digital identity,” NADRA said in a statement.
“With the launch of this feature in the Pak ID Mobile Application, citizens will no longer need to carry physical ID cards. Moreover, digital verification systems will soon be implemented to facilitate authentication for various services under the World Bank-funded Digital Economy Enhancement Project.”
A pilot project for the fully digital identity will be launched on Aug. 14, 2025 to coincide with Pakistan’s Independence Day.
Pakistan has made considerable progress in its digital transformation journey with the rapid expansion of mobile broadband networks over the last decade. Today, nearly 80 percent of the adult population lives in areas served by mobile broadband (3G or 4G) networks, compared to 15 percent in 2010. But experts say more work must be done to ensure that connectivity reaches everyone, as only 22 percent of the population is subscribed to mobile Internet.
To this end, Digital Pakistan is a flagship initiative of the government to expand the knowledge-based economy and spur socio-economic growth using digital technologies.
“The vision with regards to Digital Pakistan Policy is to become a strategic enabler for an accelerated digitization ecosystem to expand the knowledge based economy and spur socio- economic growth,” according to a government policy document outlining the strategy.
No Pakistani players on ICC Champions Trophy 2025 team of the tournament
- India won ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on Mar. 9
- Pakistan crashed out of home trophy without a win
ISLAMABAD: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday announced its ‘Team of the Tournament’ for the Champions Trophy 2025, which concluded last week, with no Pakistani player making it on the prestigious list.
The ninth edition of the Champions Trophy saw India being crowned as the winners on Mar. 9 after they overcame New Zealand in the final. Pakistan ended their campaign in the home trophy without a win.
“Several exceptional performers lit up the tournament with the bat and ball,” ICC said on its website. “The best of them made it to the Team of the Tournament.”
The team includes six players from India, four from New Zealand and two from Afghanistan.
Here’s what the side looks like:
1. Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand)
251 runs, 62.75 average, two hundreds
2. Ibrahim Zadran (Afghanistan)
216 runs, 72 average, one hundred
3. Virat Kohli (India)
218 runs, 54.5 average, one hundred
4. Shreyas Iyer (India)
243 runs, 48.6 average, two fifties
5. KL Rahul (wk) (India)
140 runs, 140 average, 42 highest score*
6. Glenn Phillips (New Zealand)
177 runs, 59 average, two wickets, five catches
7. Azmatullah Omarzai (Afghanistan)
126 runs, 42 average, seven wickets, one five-wicket haul
8. Mitchell Santner (c) (New Zealand)
Nine wickets, 26.6 average, 4.80 economy
9. Mohammed Shami (India)
Nine wickets, 25.8 average, 5.68 economy, one five-wicket haul
10. Matt Henry (New Zealand)
Ten wickets, 16.7 average, 5.32 economy, one five-wicket haul
11. Varun Chakaravarthy (India)
Nine wickets, 15.1 average, 4.53 economy
12th player: Axar Patel (India)
Five wickets, 39.2 average, 4.35 economy
Geopolitics and lack of buzz blight Champions Trophy’s return
- Indian board BCCI stuck to their policy of not touring Pakistan because of strained political ties
- Allowing India to play all their matches in Dubai robbed Pakistan of honor of hosting the final
Geopolitical reality, lack of buzz in host nation Pakistan and mediocre cricket in general meant Champions Trophy’s much-anticipated return to the calendar did not go according to plan for the governing International Cricket Council (ICC).
The one-day international (ODI) tournament served as an ICC fundraiser but offered no assurance about the future of a format battling for relevance in a cricket landscape ruled by Twenty20 leagues either.
Financial engine India’s participation, a key factor behind the commercial success of any cricket tournament, was in doubt after Pakistan bagged the hosting rights for the first ICC event in the country since 1996.
The Indian board (BCCI) stuck to their policy of not touring Pakistan because of the strained political ties between the bitter neighbors, who play each other only in ICC events.
Like for the 2023 Asia Cup in Pakistan, a ‘hybrid model’ was agreed on under which India were allowed to play their matches in Dubai to salvage a tournament, which had been discontinued after the 2017 edition.
Under the agreement running until 2027, Pakistan will play in a neutral venue for any ICC event, like next year’s Twenty20 World Cup, scheduled in India.
Reigning T20 world champions India beat New Zealand in Sunday’s final to prove their credentials as a white-ball behemoth.
India have lost just one match — the final of the ODI World Cup in 2023 — in their last three ICC events and probably did not require what many called an “unfair advantage” of playing all their matches in Dubai.
“I feel sorry for India’s cricketers,” award-winning cricket writer Nicholas Brookes told Reuters.
“They are an outstanding team – in my mind, streets ahead of their competition regardless of conditions, and one of the greatest white-ball sides the game has seen.
“This tournament should have been their victory lap, but their brilliance has been somewhat overshadowed by constant questions about unfair advantages.”
Allowing India to play all their matches in Dubai robbed Pakistan of the honor of hosting the final and disrupted the schedule of the knockout matches.
South Africa were made to take a farcical 18-hour trip to Dubai in anticipation of a semifinal against India before flying back to Pakistan to face New Zealand.
“BENDING OVER BACKWARDS”
The whole affair made the ICC, currently headed by former BCCI secretary Jay Shah, look weak in front of the world’s richest cricket board.
The scheduling also favored India, who had a week’s rest between their last two group matches, while Afghanistan played twice in three days.
“That looks like the ICC putting finances ahead of fairness,” said Brookes, whose “An Island’s Eleven” charts the history of Sri Lankan cricket and won the Wisden Book Of The Year award in 2023.
“Some people will naturally think that the governing body is bending over backwards to accommodate India.”
Defending champions Pakistan looked under-prepared for the tournament, both on and off the field.
Eleventh-hour facelift to stadiums in Karachi and Lahore, sparse crowd and three washouts dampened the spirit among the locals.
Adding to their woes, Mohammed Rizwan and his men finished bottom of Group A after a winless campaign that included a defeat by arch-rivals India.
An injury-ravaged Australia fielded a second string pace attack with Steve Smith, who quit ODIs after their semifinal exit, leading them in the absence of regular skipper Pat Cummins.
New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra bagged the player-of-the-tournament prize, while fellow Black Cap Glenn Phillips redefined fielding with gravity-defying catches and India’s Virat Kohli proved he is not a spent force yet but the cricket was largely mediocre.
Afghanistan could not make the last four but impressed on their Champions Trophy debut while former champions England are searching for a new captain after their winless campaign prompted Jos Buttler to step down.
Saudi Arabia top contributor as Pakistan remittances grow 38.6 percent year-on-year
- In Feb. 2025, Pakistan received highest inflows from Saudi Arabia, $744.4 million, followed by UAE, which contributed $652.2 million
- Among factors driving up remittances are reforms to curb illegal foreign exchange trading and incentives implemented by central bank
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan recorded year-on-year growth of 38.6 percent in remittances with inflows of $3.1 billion in February, the central bank said on Monday, with the highest contributions coming from Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Remittances are a lifeline for Pakistan’s cash-strapped economy, playing a critical role in stabilizing foreign exchange reserves and supporting balance of payments.
“Workers’ remittances recorded an inflow of $3.1 billion during February 2025,” the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said in a press release. “In terms of growth, remittances increased by 38.6 percent and 3.8 percent on year-on-year and month-on-month basis respectively.”
In February 2025, Pakistan received its highest inflows from Saudi Arabia, $744.4 million, followed by the UAE, which contributed $652.2 million. Remittances received from the United Kingdom and the United States stood at $501.8 million and $309.4 million respectively.
“Cumulatively, with an inflow of $24 billion, workers’ remittances increased by 32.5 percent during July to February, FY25 compared to $18.1 billion received during July to February FY24,” the central bank added.
Among factors driving an increase in remittances are reforms that have curbed illegal foreign exchange trading and incentives implemented by the State Bank of Pakistan. Decreased global inflation rates have encouraged Pakistani migrants to send more money back home.
Families in Pakistan are also relying more on financial support from relatives working abroad due to inflation at home.
Pakistan reports first death of 2025 from deadly brain-eating amoeba
- Naegleria fowleri, with 98 percent fatality rate, is transmitted when contaminated water enters body through nose
- Over a hundred people have died from the infection in Pakistan since 2008, five people died last year
KARACHI: A 36-year-old woman died in the Pakistani city of Karachi last month after contracting Naegleria fowleri, a health official confirmed on Monday, marking the first death this year from the deadly brain-eating amoeba.
Naegleria fowleri has a fatality rate of more than 98 percent. It is transmitted when contaminated water enters the body through the nose and cannot be passed person-to-person.
Pakistan has seen a rise in Naegleria fowleri cases in recent years, with over a hundred people dead since the first reported infection in 2008. Five people died from the infection last year.
Symptoms of Naegleria fowleri infection include severe headache, altered taste, high fever, light sensitivity, nausea and vomiting. Death usually occurs five to seven days after infection.
In the latest case, a woman was admitted to the hospital on Feb. 19 after experiencing symptoms and died four days later on Feb. 23.
“The presence of Naegleria fowleri was confirmed in the patient on Feb. 24, 2025 after the patient had passed away,” Sindh Health Department spokesperson Meeran Yousuf said in a statement.
“Upon investigation, it was noted that the patient had not participated in any water-related activities and her only exposure was regular use of water to perform ablution five times a day at home.”
Yousaf said this was the first death in Pakistan from Naegleria fowleri in 2025.
A 2021 study by the Sindh Health Department found that 95 percent of water samples in Karachi, the provincial capital, were unfit for human consumption, with experts attributing the contamination to the spread of amoeba.
