ISLAMABAD: The UAE envoy to Pakistan was the first to cast his vote on Sunday at the UAE embassy, as balloting began for the country’s citizens residing or working abroad to elect a political candidate to represent them in the Federal National Council (FNC), a parliamentary body for the seven emirates that make up the UAE.
According to UAE officials, more than 200 of the country’s citizens live in Pakistan including over 60 residing in the capital, Islamabad.
“This is the fourth election for the Federal (National) Council in UAE, and we are really proud of this democracy process in UAE,” Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi, UAE Ambassador to Pakistan said while speaking to Arab News during the balloting session at the embassy in Islamabad.
The UAE has more than 118 diplomatic missions around the world which have set up polling booths for citizens to cast their votes, Al-Zaabi said.
“The (polling for the FNC) election in Pakistan will be held in Islamabad and at the consulate in Karachi on September 22 and 23. The big election in UAE will be held between October 2 to 4, followed by results... announced on October 5,” the UAE Ambassador said.
FNC, as per the provision of the UAE Constitution, was established in 1971 and comprises of 40 members representing the Arab peninsula’s seven Emirates; with Abu Dhabi and Dubai having the most number of seats followed by Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, and less populated Fujairah, Ajman, and Umm al Quwain with the least.
In the past, all members were appointed by the emirates’ respective rulers, but in 2006 the method was revised to introduce a partial form of democracy that allows the people of UAE to elect 20 FNC members through an electoral process.
“We started in 2006 and now we are in 2019 and this year it is totally different because half of this council will be women. UAE and its leadership support women empowerment and encourages females to be part of the country’s legislative decisions,” Al-Zaabi said.
The Ambassador, widely known for his philanthropic activities in Pakistan and his continued efforts to strengthen fraternal ties between the two countries said: “We have reached our goals to support democracy and encourage the people in UAE to be part of this democratic process.”
UAE citizens in Pakistan cast votes as balloting begins for Federal National Council
UAE citizens in Pakistan cast votes as balloting begins for Federal National Council
- More than 200 UAE citizens in Pakistan are expected to cast their vote
- Half of the council this year is expected to be women: UAE envoy
Pakistan wins toss and bats in final T20 against Australia
- Salman Ali Agha leads Pakistan as tourists rest skipper Mohammad Rizwan
- Left-arm pacer Jahandad Khan makes debut as Pakistan try to avoid whitewash
HOBART, Australia: Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat in the third and final Twenty20 game against Australia on Monday.
The tourists rested captain Mohammad Rizwan with Salman Agha to lead in Rizwan’s absence.
Haseebullah Khan returned to the lineup, while Babar Azam opened the batting with Sahibzada Farhan.
Left-arm pace bowler Jahandad Khan made his debut, replacing Naseem Shah.
For the third successive game, Australia kept faith in the same playing XI.
The hosts had a 29-run win in a rain-shortened seven-overs-a-side match in the first T20 at Brisbane, before fast bowler Spencer Johnson grabbed a career-best 5-26 and propelled Australia to a 13-run win to clinch the three-match series with a game to spare on Saturday.
Pakistan won the preceding ODI series 2-1.
Squads:
Australia: Matthew Short, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Glenn Maxwell, Tim David, Marcus Stoinis, Josh Inglis (captain), Aaron Hardie, Nathan Ellis, Xavier Bartlett, Spencer Johnson, Adam Zampa.
Pakistan: Babar Azam, Sahibzada Farhan, Haseebullah Khan, Usman Khan, Salman Agha (captain), Irfan Khan, Abbas Afridi, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Jahandad Khan, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem.
Pakistan says Islamabad, Washington have ‘unique opportunity’ to revitalize partnership under Trump
- Ties between Islamabad and Washington have just started to warm after years of frosty relations
- Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal says Pakistan desires enhanced partnership in economy, education, health
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said on Monday that Washington and Islamabad have a “unique opportunity” to revitalize their partnership and tackle global challenges together under a new administration headed by President-elect Donald Trump, state-run media reported.
Ties between Islamabad and Washington, once close allies, have just started to warm after many years of frosty relations, mostly due to concerns about Pakistan’s alleged support of the Taliban in Afghanistan. Pakistan denies it supported the group.
Relations strained further under the government of former prime minister Imran Khan, who ruled from 2018-22 and antagonized Washington throughout his tenure, welcoming the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021 and later accusing Washington of being behind attempts to oust him. Washington has dismissed the accusations. Shehbaz Sharif’s government, now in its second term, has tried to mend ties but analysts widely believe the United States will not seek a significant broadening of ties with Islamabad in the near future but remain mostly focused on security cooperation, especially on counterterrorism and Afghanistan.
“Addressing a USAID event in Islamabad today, he [Iqbal] stated that the two countries have a unique opportunity to revitalize their partnership and adapt to the needs of a rapidly changing world, with a new US administration taking the helm,” Radio Pakistan said in a report.
The planning minister spoke about Pakistan’s desire to strengthen relations with the United States in key sectors such as economy, climate change, science and technology, agriculture, education and health.
The minister said that the US remains one of Pakistan’s largest trading partners, with trade exceeding $6.5 billion between the two countries in 2023. He said Pakistan’s key exports to the US include textiles, surgical instruments and IT services which contribute significantly to the country’s economy.
“He however emphasized that there is a vast untapped potential for growth,” the state broadcaster said. “He said the trade relations will not only create jobs and foster innovation but also enhance economic resilience.”
Iqbal said that while bilateral relations between Pakistan and the US have flourished, both nations need to respect each other’s sovereignty and work together constructively to address shared challenges.
“Iqbal said Pakistan-US relationship remains critical to addressing global challenges and achieving regional stability,” Radio Pakistan said.
Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif earlier this month signaled Islamabad’s intentions to collaborate with the new US administration where its interests were aligned. However, he cautioned that cooperation could be strained if interests diverged or Washington persisted in supporting wars in the Middle East.
Trump is widely regarded as an unpredictable leader, with analysts worldwide assessing the potential impact of his return to the top US office on global affairs. However, the Pakistani defense minister praised him during Geo TV’s special election transmission this month for promising to end conflicts around the world after assuming power in Washington.
Pakistani banks start receiving Hajj 2025 applications
- Process to receive Hajj applications to continue till Dec. 3, says religion ministry
- Pakistani pilgrims can pay fees in installments, as per the country’s new Hajj policy
ISLAMABAD: Around 15 designated Pakistani banks have started receiving applications for the upcoming annual Hajj pilgrimage, Pakistan’s Religious Affairs Ministry said on Monday, with the process set to continue till Dec. 3.
Pakistan’s religious affairs minister last week announced the country’s Hajj 2025 policy, according to which pilgrims can pay fees for the annual Islamic pilgrimage in installments for the first time.
The first installment of Hajj dues, amounting to Rs200,000 ($717), must be deposited along with the Hajj application under the government scheme, while the second installment of Rs400,000 ($1,435) must be deposited within ten days of the balloting. The remaining amount must be deposited by February 10 next year.
“Fifteen designated banks in the country have started receiving Hajj applications from today, Nov. 18, and the process will continue till Dec.3,” Muhammad Umer Butt, a spokesperson of the religion ministry, told Arab News.
Next year’s Hajj under the government scheme is expected to range between Rs1,075,000 ($3,858) to Rs1,175,000 ($4,217), while an additional cost for the sacrifice will be Rs55,000 ($197.43).
“This year, the government’s Hajj scheme has been allocated a quota of 89,605 seats, with 5,000 reserved for the sponsorship scheme for overseas Pakistanis while the remaining seats will be allocated to the private Hajj scheme,” Butt confirmed.
The Hajj sponsorship scheme was introduced by the government last year, allowing overseas Pakistanis to apply for Hajj or sponsor someone in Pakistan for the journey by paying in US dollars. In return, the applicants would not have to participate in the balloting process for the pilgrimage.
Butt said the total amount for the sponsorship scheme’s basic package is $4,225, adding that if a pilgrim opts for a sacrificial animal, an additional $200 will be charged. The spokesperson said the performance of hundreds of bank branches will be directly monitored by the religion ministry’s dashboard to ensure convenience for intending pilgrims.
“Women pilgrims will be able to depart without Muharram with a reliable group with the permission of their guardian,” he said. “People with serious or complicated illnesses will not be allowed to perform Hajj and advanced-stage pregnant women, as well as children under 12 years of age, will also not be permitted to travel for Hajj.”
He said the government’s Hajj package includes airfare, accommodation, food, training, transportation and vaccinations for pilgrims, adding that applicants will be guided regarding the Hajj process through the Hajj helpline, website, mobile app and government’s official social media accounts.
Saudi Arabia has allotted Pakistan a total quota of 179,210 pilgrims for the upcoming Hajj. While announcing the Hajj 2025 policy last week, Pakistan’s Religious Affairs Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain said preference would be given to those going for the pilgrimage for the first time while under the new policy.
“The traditional long package for the official Hajj scheme will cover 38 to 42 days and the short package will cover 20 to 25 days,” Hussain had said.
Under the new Hajj policy, the government’s quota will be allocated through computerized balloting, with 1,000 seats reserved for hardship cases and 300 for laborers or low-income employees registered with the Workers Welfare Fund or the Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution.
Pakistan invites Chinese companies to invest in renewable energy to cut reliance on fuel imports
- Pakistan’s envoy to China says country has natural advantage for renewable energy resources with over 1,000 km coastline
- Pakistan has suffered from an energy crisis stemming largely from gap in country’s energy supplies and electricity demand
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s ambassador to China has invited Chinese companies to invest in the country’s renewable energy and offshore wind sectors, state-run media reported on Monday, as Islamabad seeks to cut its reliance on expensive fuel imports amid its prolonged energy crisis.
Pakistan has suffered from an energy crisis that stems largely from a gap in the country’s energy supplies and electricity demand, with the South Asian country’s reliance on expensive energy imports drains its resources and triggers inflation.
According to National Electric Power Regulatory Authority’s (NEPRA) 2022 yearly report, Pakistan’s total installed power generation capacity is 43,775 MW, of which 59 percent of energy comes from thermal (fossil fuels), 25 percent from hydro, 7 percent from renewable (wind, solar and biomass) and 9 percent from nuclear energy resources.
“Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, Khalil Hashmi has said that Pakistan has a natural advantage for renewable resources of energy with its long coastline of over one thousand kilometers,” Radio Pakistan reported. “He invited Chinese investors to explore the opportunities available in Pakistani offshore wind industry.”
The Pakistani envoy was speaking at a seminar titled “High-Quality Development of Offshore Wind Power Supply Chain” at the Chinese city of Fuzhou, Radio Pakistan said.
He appreciated China’s rapid advancements in the offshore wind industry sector, underlining the need for enhanced bilateral cooperation by strengthening technology exchanges, infrastructure development and regulatory support, the state broadcaster said.
Pakistan’s power minister last month met his counterpart from Iran and Chinese energy officials to discuss enhanced cooperation in cross-border energy on the sidelines of the Third Belt & Road Ministerial Conference held in Qingdao, China in October.
The Pakistani minister also held separate meetings with Yao Huan, vice president of Power China and Ni Zhen, the general manager of Energy China, in Qingdao. During the meeting, Leghari conveyed Pakistan’s desire to modernize power dispatch and transmission systems, aimed at cutting lines and other losses, the power ministry had said.
Pakistan Cricket Board says Gillespie to remain head coach for South Africa series
- PCB rejects media reports of ex-cricketer Aaqib Javed replacing Gillespie
- Pakistan will play all-format away series against South Africa in December/January
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday strongly refuted speculation it was about to replace the national squad’s Head Coach Jason Gillespie with former world cup winner Aaqib Javed, saying Gillespie will continue in the role for Pakistan’s Test series against South Africa in December/January 2025.
Multiple media outlets reported last week that the PCB was set to appoint Javed, who is currently the convener of Pakistan’s national selection committee, as head coach of the men’s team across all formats. Gillespie is Pakistan’s Test coach and currently the interim coach of the white-ball side.
The former Australian pacer was appointed as interim white-ball coach after his predecessor, Gary Kirsten, resigned from the post in October. According to local media outlets, Kirsten resigned following disagreements with the cricket board over its decision to strip him of selection powers.
“As announced previously, Jason Gillespie will continue to coach the Pakistan side for the two red-ball matches against South Africa,” the PCB wrote on social media platform X.
Pakistan are scheduled to play three T20Is, three ODIs and two Test matches in an away series against South Africa in December/January 2025. The PCB have not confirmed if Gillespie will be the head coach for any series beyond those two Tests against South Africa, though he does have a contract with the board till 2026. Pakistan have a two-Test home series against West Indies immediately following the Tests in South Africa.
Citing a PCB official in its report on Sunday, ESPNcricinfo said the board decided to replace Gillespie on account of him not spending enough time in Pakistan.
“ESPNcricinfo understands Gillespie’s view is that he has spent every day his contract demanded he be in Pakistan within the country, in addition to which he also did the Shaheens tour of Darwin without pay as a gesture of goodwill,” the website reported.
Pakistan have a busy cricket schedule ahead, with the green shirts set to play a three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe starting Sunday after which they play the all-format series in South Africa. Their next home series is a two-match Test series against the West Indies at the end of January, and their only white-ball games before the Champions Trophy come in a short tri-series against South Africa and New Zealand in February.
The PCB has come under increasing criticism for the high rate of turnover at the board. In November 2023, then team director Mickey Arthur was told by then PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf he would not be going with the team for the Test series in Australia in January 2024. Former Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Hafeez was appointed team director for that tour.
Arthur and Grant Bradburn, then head coach, parted ways with the PCB soon after. Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi assumed the PCB chair weeks later, beginning the hunt for Pakistan’s white and red-ball coaches, with the posts ultimately going to Gillespie and Kirsten.
