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Arshad Nadeem bags coveted Olympic gold to break Pakistan’s medal drought 

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Updated 09 August 2024
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Arshad Nadeem bags coveted Olympic gold to break Pakistan’s medal drought 

  • Nadeem broke Olympic javelin record with massive 92.97-meter throw to bag gold 
  • Becomes first-ever Pakistani athlete to bag an Olympic medal in track and field 
Updated 09 August 2024
Shahjahan Khurram

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s star athlete Arshad Nadeem made history on Thursday by bagging an Olympic gold medal in Paris at the men’s javelin throw competition, sending the light spear two times over the 90-meter mark to hand Pakistan its first Olympic medal since 1992. 
Nadeem’s first throw was disqualified but it was his second one that sent the javelin at a massive distance of 92.97 meters and made him the first Pakistani athlete to bag a medal in track and field. 
India’s Neeraj Chopra, the defending Olympic champion, threw the second-best throw at 89.45 meters to claim silver while Grenadian Anderson Peters claimed bronze with an 88.54-meter throw. 
“Bravo Arshad, history made!” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wrote on social media platform X. “You’ve made the whole nation proud young man.”




Arshad Nadeem, of Pakistan, competes during the men's javelin throw final at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Saint-Denis in France on August 8, 2024. (AP)

In a separate statement, Pakistan’s military services chiefs and chairman joint chiefs of staff committee congratulated Nadeem on the historic feat. 
“This remarkable achievement is a testament to Arshad Nadeem’s unwavering dedication, unrelenting perseverance, and exemplary hard work, serving as a beacon of inspiration for the entire nation,” Pakistan army’s media wing said. 
“His triumph is a resounding affirmation of Pakistani talent and determination, showcasing the country’s potential to excel on the global stage.”




Arshad Nadeem, of Pakistan, competes during the men's javelin throw final at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Saint-Denis in France on August 8, 2024. (AP)

Speaking to reporters, Nadeem’s emotional mother said her son had made the entire country proud. 
“He has made Pakistan proud and has held the country’s head high,” she said. 
Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab congratulated Nadeem, announcing a Rs5,00,00,000 [$179,404] cash award for the athlete. 
“I announce a sports academy in Karachi in honor of Arshad Nadeem,” Wahab said. “Arshad Nadeem is our nation’s hero and we are proud of our heroes.”




Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan celebrates winning gold and setting a new Olympic record during Men's Javelin Throw Final at the Stade de France in Paris on August 8, 2024. (REUTERS)

PAKISTAN AT THE OLYMPICS
Pakistan has won only 10 medals since the 1948 edition, with only two medals won by individual athletes. After gaining independence in 1947, the South Asian country won its first medal in 1956 in Melbourne when it won silver in field hockey, Pakistan’s national sport. 
Pakistan bagged gold in hockey in 1960 in Rome and bagged a bronze in the same competition when Mohammad Bashir clinched the medal in the men’s 73kg wrestling category. 
From 1964 to 1984, Pakistan bagged two gold, two silver and one bronze medals, all in field hockey. Pakistan’s Hussain Shah bagged bronze in the men’s middleweight category in Seoul Olympics in 1988. 
The South Asian country won its last medal in 1992 in Barcelona, when the field hockey team bagged bronze. 
Nadeem is a 10-time international medalist and five-time gold medalist who came fifth at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. 
The Pakistani star athlete won silver at the World Championships last year and gold at the Commonwealth Games in 2022 with a massive 90.18-meter distance throw.
Nadeem, who comes from humble beginnings from Khanewal in Pakistan, is one of nine children of a daily wage laborer who showed great versatility as an athlete from a young age while dabbling in all kinds of sports at school.
Though the family lacked the financial means to encourage Nadeem’s enthusiasm for sports, his spirit earned him the support he needed, with his elder brothers working to help him build a career in sports, the family told Arab News in an interview in 2021.

Topics: Pakistan Arshad Nadeem Paris Olympics Javelin throw France

Pakistani Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem named in Forbes 30 Under 30 list

Updated 16 June 2025
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Pakistani Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem named in Forbes 30 Under 30 list

  • Nadeem bagged gold at the Paris Olympics 2024 with record-shattering 92.97 meter javelin throw
  • In May, Nadeem won gold in Asian Athletics Championships in South Korea with 86.4 meter throw
Updated 16 June 2025
Hasaan Ali Khan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Olympic gold medalist and star javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem has been featured in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for South Asia in 2025, the international business magazine said in a report on Monday.

Forbes 30 Under 30 is an annual list published by Forbes since 2011 that recognizes outstanding individuals under the age of 30 across multiple industries. 

Nadeem, 28, made headlines around the world when he threw the javelin over the 90-meter mark in August 2024 during the Paris Olympics. The record-shattering throw handed Pakistan its first Olympic medal since 1992. It was also the first-ever gold medal Pakistan had bagged in a track and field competition. 

“Arshad Nadeem’s impressive javelin throws won Pakistan its first-ever Olympic gold for an individual sport in Paris 2024,” Forbes said in the report.

“Nadeem’s stunning show at the Paris Olympics though, set a new Olympic record for his 92.97m javelin throw.”

The magazine noted that Nadeem also won gold at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Turkiye and the Commonwealth Games in 2022, and secured a silver medal in the men’s javelin throw at the 2023 World Athletics Championships.

In May, Nadeem claimed gold with an 86.4-meter throw in the men’s javelin final at the Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea.

He is the first Pakistani in over 50 years to win a gold medal at the Asian Athletics Championships. Pakistan’s Allah Daad had last topped the podium in javelin throw and Muhammad Younis won the 800-meter event in 1973.

He hails from the small town of Mian Channu and has since become a national hero, inspiring millions with his rise from modest beginnings to the top of the Olympic podium.

Topics: Arshad Nadeem Forbes 30 Under 30

Pakistan repatriates 268 nationals from Iraq amid ongoing Iran-Israel conflict

Updated 16 June 2025
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Pakistan repatriates 268 nationals from Iraq amid ongoing Iran-Israel conflict

  • Pakistani nationals repatriated through two flights, from Basra to Karachi and Islamabad, says FO
  • Thousands of Pakistani zaireen (pilgrims) travel annually to Iran and Iraq to visit the holy sites there
Updated 16 June 2025
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's foreign office said it repatriated 268 nationals from Iraq on Monday, as the Iran-Israel military confrontation enters its fourth day with no signs of either side letting up amid fears of a wider war breaking out in the region. 

Thousands of Pakistani zaireen (pilgrims) travel annually to Iran and Iraq to visit holy sites there. Many have been stranded since Friday when Israel launched a massive wave of attacks targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities but also hitting residential areas, sparking retaliation and fears of a broader regional conflict. 

Pakistan last week advised its nationals to avoid traveling to Iran and Iraq amid surging tensions. Pakistan said it facilitated the evacuation of 450 nationals from Iran on Sunday. 

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in close coordination with Iraqi Airways, successfully facilitated the repatriation of 268 Pakistani nationals earlier today through two special flights from Basra to Karachi and Islamabad," the foreign office said. 

"Both flights have safely reached Pakistan."

The foreign ministry said it remains engaged with Iraqi Airways and other Iraqi authorities to ensure the safe and timely return of the remaining Pakistani pilgrims in the country. 

It advised Pakistani pilgrims in Iraq to remain in contact with the Pakistan Embassy in Baghdad and respective airlines for timely updates regarding their travel arrangements.

"All zaireen are further advised to remain prepared for travel at short notice," the ministry said. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to monitor the situation closely and remains fully committed to facilitating the safe and orderly return of all Pakistani zaireen."

Pakistan has condemned the Israeli strikes, calling them an unjustified violation of Iranian sovereignty, and has urged the international community to help de-escalate tensions through dialogue.

Iran has said over 200 people have been killed in Israel's onslaught since Friday, while Israel says Iranian strikes have killed at least 18 people.

Topics: Iran-Israel Conflict Pakistan Iraq Ties

Pakistan holds interest rate at 11% as Mideast conflict poses new economic challenges

Updated 16 June 2025
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Pakistan holds interest rate at 11% as Mideast conflict poses new economic challenges

  • Central bank maintains cautious stance as heightened geopolitical tensions, volatile global oil prices add new inflation risks
  • Leading Karachi-based business and trade body criticizes central bank’s decision, says will ‘dampen’ business sentiment
Updated 16 June 2025
Ismail Dilawar

KARACHI: Pakistan’s central bank kept its key interest rate unchanged at 11% on Monday, maintaining a cautious stance, as financial analysts warn heightened Middle East tensions and volatile global oil prices add new risks to the country’s fragile external sector and inflation rate.

A Reuters poll released earlier on Monday had shown analysts revising their expectations for a rate cut in light of Israel’s military strikes on Iran that began on Friday and have since intensified, pushing up global commodity prices.

“The [Monetary Policy] Committee noted some potential risks to the external sector amidst the sustained widening in the trade deficit and weak financial inflows. Moreover, some of the proposed FY26 budgetary measures may further widen the trade deficit by increasing imports,” the central bank said, announcing its decision to leave the rate unchanged.

“In this regard, the Committee deemed today’s decision appropriate to sustain the macroeconomic and price stability.”

Monday’s decision comes days after Pakistan announced its Rs16.7 trillion ($62 billion) annual budget targeting 4.2% growth, up from a provisional estimate of 2.7% for the current year. 

The MPC noted that despite the widening trade deficit, the current account remained broadly balanced in April, and foreign exchange reserves rose to $11.7 billion as of June 6 after the completion of the first review under the International Monetary Fund’s Extended Fund Facility. The country expects $14 billion foreign exchange reserves by the end June.

The bank paused its policy rate easing cycle in March, following cumulative cuts totaling 1,000 basis points from a record high of 22%, and resumed it with a 100-basis-point reduction in May.

Inflation in Pakistan has slowed markedly since peaking at around 40% in May 2023. However, last month it rose to 3.5% year-on-year, above the finance ministry’s projection of up to 2%, partly due to the fading of favorable base effects. The central bank projects average inflation between 5.5% and 7.5% for the fiscal year ending this month.
“Going forward, inflation is expected to trend up and stabilize in the target range,” the MPC said.

The escalating tensions in key oil-producing regions have triggered a sharp surge in global oil prices with brent, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and Arab Light crude oils showing a 12% week-on-week increase and daily spikes exceeding 6%, Arif Habib Ltd, a Karachi-based research firm, said in its latest note.

‘WAIT-AND-SEE’ STANCE

Amreen Soorani, the head of research at Al Meezan Investment Management, said the SBP’s decision was primarily driven by emerging geopolitical risks that had affected international oil prices.

“Even with substantial improvements in Pakistan’s inflation and external account, the central bank seems to have taken a cautious “wait-and-see” stance,” she told Arab News.

The regional tensions, she said, were posing potential challenges to Pakistan’s balance of payment and inflation rate. Cash-strapped Pakistan spent $17 billion on oil imports last year.

Soorani said petroleum was a major driver of Pakistan’s trade deficit, accounting for approximately 30% of all imports and consuming around 55% of export proceeds.

“All else being equal, a $5 per barrel increase in average oil prices for the year would worsen our trade deficit by an estimated $900 million annually,” the analyst said.

Pakistan is closely watching the global oil market, where brent and WTI crude traded at around $73.5 and $70.5 a barrel on Monday and fell 1% after opening lower in the Western markets, Finance Adviser Khurram Schehzad said.

“Global calls for increasing supplies is (are) one of the reasons among potential resolve of the Israel-Iran conflict by the US,” Schehzad said. 

Muhammad Waqas Ghani, head of research at JS Global Capital Ltd., said the SBP’s current monetary stance was aligned with the IMF’s recommendation to Islamabad to maintain a sufficiently tight monetary policy to anchor inflation.

“Additionally, the committee may have preferred to wait for greater clarity on the budget measures and their potential impact on inflation dynamics,” he told Arab News.

STOCKS GAIN, RUPEE DECLINES

Pakistani stocks gained by 82 points to close at 122,225 points “despite geopolitical risk amid speculations over SBP policy announcement,” Ahsan Mehanti, chief executive officer at Arif Habib Commodities Ltd, said.

The rupee declined for the fifth consecutive session and inched down 0.07% to Rs283.17 per dollar. Qazi Owais Ul Haq, a currency dealer at Arid Habib Ltd. said Pakistan’s currency was “feeling the heat” as regional tensions surge.

“They are trying to hold the rate but as a third-world country war affects us,” Haq told Arab News.

Pakistan’s top trade body, the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) and the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, (KCCI) said the central bank’s decision to maintain the policy rate at 11% was disappointing

“The SBP has not only ignored market signals but has also dampened business sentiment at a time when the economy urgently requires a boost,” KCCI President Muhammad Jawed Bilwani in a statement.

Topics: Pakistan economy Pakistan policy rate

Pakistan’s Punjab unveils $18.9 billion budget, increases development spending by 47%

Updated 16 June 2025
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Pakistan’s Punjab unveils $18.9 billion budget, increases development spending by 47%

  • Punjab allocates $4.40 billion for development budget, $2.88 billion for education and $2.24 billion for health sectors
  • Provincial government proposes increase in minimum wage from $131 to $142 per month
Updated 16 June 2025
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s largest and richest Punjab province on Monday unveiled its Rs5.33 trillion [$18.9 billion] budget for the fiscal year 2025-26, increasing its development spending by 47% and refraining from imposing new taxes on the masses. 

Punjab, home to more than half of Pakistan’s over 240 million people, plays a dominant role in the national economy. It contributes roughly 60% to Pakistan’s gross domestic product and receives the largest share of federal funds under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award.

Last year, Punjab’s budget for FY2024–25 was about $19.6 billion, with a development outlay of $3 billion. Punjab’s budget is seen as politically significant for the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, which has faced tough economic and governance challenges since forming its government at the center last year. 

“The total outlay for [Punjab’s] 2025-2026 budget is Rs5,335 billion [$19.2 billion],” Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman said while presenting the budget in the provincial assembly. 

Rehman said the provincial government was presenting a “record-breaking development budget” this time.

“For which the total amount recommended is Rs1,240 billion [$4.36 billion], which is more than 47% compared to the current financial year,” he added. 

The minister said the FY26 budget did not contain any new taxes on the masses, adding that the government wanted to widen the tax net to increase revenue. 

Punjab’s own-source revenue is projected at Rs828.1 billion ($2.94 billion), including Rs524.7 billion ($1.86 billion) in tax receipts and Rs303.4 billion ($1.08 billion) in non-tax receipts. 

According to budget documents seen by Arab News, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has set a national target of Rs14,131 billion ($50.11 billion), with Punjab’s share estimated at Rs4,062.2 billion ($14.4 billion).

Rehman said the province has proposed a significant increase in education and health budgets to benefit the people of Punjab. 

HEALTH, EDUCATION BUDGETS

“The total allocation for the education sector is Rs811.8 billion ($2.88 billion), which is 21% higher than last year, where development allocation stands at Rs148.5 billion ($526 million), the highest in the province’s history and 127% higher than the previous year,” he said. 

He said Punjab would launch new education projects while continuing existing ones, allocating Rs15 billion ($53 million) for scholarships for high-achieving students and continuing with its Rs5.9 billion ($21 million) Undergraduate Scholarship Programme. 

“To address infrastructure needs, Rs40 billion ($142 million) is set aside for building classrooms, while a Rs35 billion ($124 million) Education Delivery Programme aims to enhance access and quality across Punjab,” Rehman said. 

The minister said the provincial government has allocated Rs630.5 billion ($2.24 billion) for the health sector in this budget, which is 17% higher than last year. 

“Of this, Rs181 billion ($641 million) is earmarked for development, reflecting a 41% increase over the previous year,” Rehman said. 

The minister said Punjab had allocated Rs494 billion ($1.75 billion) for the social sector, which accounted for 40% of the development budget. 

Rehman said provincial government employees’ salaries would be increased by 10%, while pensions have been raised by 5% and the proposed increase in the minimum wage is from Rs37,000 ($131) to Rs40,000 ($142) per month.

The minister said that the new budget has given special priority to Pakistan’s agriculture sector. 

“In the next financial year, Rs123 billion ($436 million) are allocated for development in the agriculture, livestock, irrigation, and water sectors, while Rs56.2 billion ($199 million) is allocated for non-development expenses,” he said.

The provincial minister said to ensure a climate-resilient Punjab, a record Rs795 billion (approximately $2.82 billion) worth of projects were included in the budget this year, accounting for 64% of the overall development budget.

Pakistan’s top revenue-generating Sindh province last Friday unveiled its Rs3.45 trillion ($12.41 billion) new budget while the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province announced a surplus budget of Rs2,119 billion ($7.63 billion) for the next year on the same day.

Topics: Punjab Assembly Punjab budget

Pakistan says Iran open to ‘diplomatic dialogue’ if Israel halts strikes

Updated 5 min 11 sec ago
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Pakistan says Iran open to ‘diplomatic dialogue’ if Israel halts strikes

  • Pakistan’s foreign minister says has been in direct contact with Iranian counterpart since Israel first launched strikes on June 13
  • Dar rejects social media reports that Pakistan would launch a nuclear strike against Israel if it used nuclear weapons on Iran
Updated 5 min 11 sec ago
Hasaan Ali Khan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said on Monday Iran was willing to engage in “diplomatic dialogue” if Israel stopped its military offensive, as the conflict between the two regional rivals entered a fourth day with no sign of de-escalation.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi on Monday called on US President Donald Trump to force Israel to cease fire as the only way to end the four-day-old aerial war, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country was on the “path to victory.” Meanwhile, Israeli forces stepped up their bombardment of Iranian cities, while Iran proved capable of piercing Israeli air defenses with one of its most successful volleys yet of retaliatory missile strikes.

Speaking during a session of the upper house of Pakistan’s parliament, Dar, who also serves as Pakistan’s foreign minister, said he had been in direct contact with Araghchi since the fighting began on June 13 when Israel launched strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities and senior military leaders.

“He said we will respond to this [attack by Israel] but right now, we are preparing and if Israel does not attack again after our response, we are ready to come to the table for a diplomatic dialogue,” Dar told the Senate. “Then as a neighboring Muslim brotherly country, we passed this on through different channels that there is still time that if the other side [Israel] stops, Iran is ready and if we facilitate them.”

Dar expressed regret that Israel’s air strikes came just two days before planned direct talks between Tehran and Washington on June 15.

Separately, Dar rejected social media reports Pakistan would launch a nuclear strike against Israel if it used nuclear weapons on Iran, calling the reports “fabricated and a lie.”

“This is such an irresponsible statement based on lies and it has been spreading on social media,” he said. “No one has given the statement from our side. It has been fabricated.”

Dar also assured the Senate that Pakistan’s armed forces were on high alert amid the regional crisis, reiterating Islamabad’s resolve to safeguard its nuclear and missile defense systems.

“By the grace of God, Pakistan has the strength to respond to a brick with a stone, to any mala fide intentions ... the armed forces of Pakistan are fully alert,” Dar said in response to a question by a senator about the safety of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons in light of the crisis in neighboring Iran.

“These [nuclear assets] are the nation’s trust for the coming generation. It is our responsibility to safeguard it unitedly, which we will do, are doing, and will continue to do together.”

Israel says its strikes have targeted Iranian facilities to prevent Tehran from advancing toward nuclear weapons capability, which Iran denies, insisting its nuclear program is for civilian purposes. The UN nuclear watchdog reported last week that Iran had breached its obligations under the global non-proliferation treaty.

Pakistan has condemned Israel’s attacks and reiterated that Iran has the right to self-defense under the UN Charter, pledging diplomatic support for Tehran at international forums.

Topics: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar Israel Iran conflict

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