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South Africa wrap up Test series win over Pakistan

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South Africa players celebrate the wicket of Pakistan’s Salman Agha during the fourth day of the second test match between South Africa and Pakistan in Cape Town, South Africa, on January 6, 2025. (AP)
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Updated 06 January 2025
AFP
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South Africa wrap up Test series win over Pakistan

  • Forced to follow on 421 runs , Pakistan battled to 478 all out
  • South Africa easily knocked off a target of 58 on the fourth day
Updated 06 January 2025
AFP

CAPE TOWN: South Africa eased to a 10-wicket victory over Pakistan in the second Test on Monday in Cape Town to secure a 2-0 series win despite second-innings resistance from the tourists.
Forced to follow on 421 runs behind on the first innings, Pakistan battled to 478 all out but South Africa, who qualified for the World Test Championship final last week, easily knocked off a target of 58 late on the fourth day.
David Bedingham hit 44 not out off 30 balls as South Africa sealed victory in just 7.1 overs.




South Africa’s David Bedingham smashes the ball skyward during the fourth day of the second test match between South Africa and Pakistan in Cape Town, South Africa, on January 6, 2025. (AP)

Bedingham was opening in place of Ryan Rickelton, who suffered a hamstring strain in the field after scoring 259 in South Africa’s first innings of 615.
Captain Shan Masood led Pakistan’s fightback, scoring 145.
Masood fell to the second new ball, trapped leg before wicket by 18-year-old debutant Kwena Maphaka.




South Africa’s Kyle Verreynne (L) and Aiden Markram (R) appeal the wicket of Pakistan’s Shan Masood (C), during the fourth day of the second test cricket match between South Africa and Pakistan in Cape Town, South Africa, on January 6, 2025. (AP)

Masood’s dismissal came three balls after Kagiso Rabada had Saud Shakeel caught at second slip for 23, ending a 51-run fourth-wicket stand.
Pakistan, a batter short after Saim Ayub suffered a broken ankle while fielding on the first morning, were still 92 runs in arrears after the double blow.
But Mohammad Rizwan (41) and Salman Agha (48) put on 88 for the sixth wicket and Aamer Jamal hit a quick 34 before the innings was ended.




South Africa’s Kyle Verreynne (C) fields the ball while Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan (R) plays and misses during the fourth day of the second test match between South Africa and Pakistan in Cape Town, South Africa, on January 6, 2025. (AP)

South Africa’s bowlers received virtually no assistance from a placid pitch.
Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj, who had been expected to be a major factor on a fourth day pitch, achieved minimal spin and toiled for 45 overs to take three for 137.
South Africa will go into the Test championship final against Australia at Lord’s in June on the back of seven straight wins — the second most successful sequence in their history.

Topics: Pakistan vs South Africa Shan Masood

Pakistan PM forms special sub-committees to promote ‘cashless’ economy

Updated 5 sec ago
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Pakistan PM forms special sub-committees to promote ‘cashless’ economy

  • Committees to provide recommendations on facilitating payments between public and businesses, raise awareness about digital systems
  • Pakistan is a cash-dominated market where a significant portion of transactions, particularly in informal sector, are conducted using cash
Updated 5 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed three special sub-committees to promote a “cashless” system in the country, his office said on Monday amid Islamabad’s efforts to promote digital transactions to ensure more transparency in the national economy. 

Pakistan is a cash-dominated market where a significant portion of transactions, particularly in the informal sector, are conducted using cash. Pakistan’s central bank has taken steps in recent months to ensure a more cashless economy so that financial transactions are more traceable, reducing chances of tax evasion and corruption. 

Pakistan has witnessed significant growth in digital transactions in recent years. The country’s central bank said in April that its instant payment system, Raast, has processed over 892 million transactions amounting to Rs20 trillion ($72 billion) since its launch in 2021. 

“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting on promoting a cashless economy,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement. “He directed the formation of three committees: Digital Payments Innovation and Adoption Committee, the Digital Public Infrastructure Committee and the Government Payments Committee.”

The press release said these special sub-committees would present recommendations on facilitating payments between the public and businesses, raise awareness about digital systems, activate the Pakistan Digital Authority and simplify transactions between the public and private sectors.

Sharif instructed officials to ensure digital transactions are made more affordable and easier for the public compared to cash ones. He further directed that the RAAST digital payment system be established across the federation and all Pakistani provinces.

“Establishing a digital transaction system is extremely important to bring transparency into the economy,” Sharif was quoted as saying. “Around the world, developed nations and successful economies are prioritizing cashless systems.”

During a briefing given to the premier on the government’s steps to promote a cashless economy, Sharif was told that 40 million users in total are benefiting from RAAST. The Pakistani premier was told that the federal government’s entire financial transactions are being conducted via RAAST and the system is being expanded to provinces as well.

“The Pakistan Digital Authority has been established, and work is underway under its umbrella to promote a cashless economy,” the PMO said. 

The prime minister was also briefed that through the IT ministry’s Smart Islamabad Pilot Project, the government is taking steps to make Islamabad the first cashless city in Pakistan. 

Topics: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif cashless payment Pakistan's economy

Pakistan to face Qatar in Asian Volleyball Nations Cup semifinal today

Updated 23 min 27 sec ago
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Pakistan to face Qatar in Asian Volleyball Nations Cup semifinal today

  • Pakistan defeated Indonesia 3-1 in quarterfinals to book semifinal berth
  • Tournament serves as qualifier for 2026 Asian Volleyball Championship
Updated 23 min 27 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will take on Qatar today, Monday, in the semifinal of the 2025 Asian Volleyball Nations Cup in Bahrain, state-run media reported.

The tournament is being played in Manama from June 17 to 24 and features 12 teams. These include Pakistan, Bahrain, Indonesia, Thailand, Qatar, Australia, Kazakhstan, Chinese Taipei, the Philippines, South Korea, Vietnam and New Zealand.

The tournament serves as a qualifier for the 2026 Asian Volleyball Championship, with top-performing teams earning world ranking points and potential entry into the 2028 Olympic Games and the 2027 FIVB World Championships.

“The semifinals of the Asian Volleyball Nations Cup are being played today,” Pakistan State Television (PTV) said in a report on Monday. “Pakistan will face Qatar in the first semifinal of the event being played in Bahrain.”

Pakistan defeated Indonesia 3-1 in the quarterfinals to book the semifinal berth. The second semifinal will be played between Bahrain and South Korea.

Qatar will head into the match with some confidence, considering they beat Pakistan last year by a score of 25-22, 25-20, 25-19 in the same championship held in Bahrain. 

The match is scheduled to be held at 19:00 local time (16:00 Coordinated Universal Time).

In August 2024, Pakistan defeated Japan 3-0 to clinch the bronze medal at the Asian Men’s U18 Volleyball Championship.

Volleyball is a steadily growing sport in Pakistan governed by the Pakistan Volleyball Federation. The Pakistan volleyball team has shown consistent improvement in regional and international competitions.

Pakistan regularly participates in events such as the Asian Games and Asian Volleyball Championships, with the men’s team recently recording notable wins in regional tournaments. 

Topics: volleyball 2025 Asian Volleyball Nations Cup

Pakistan PM summons National Security Committee meeting as Middle East tensions surge

Updated 23 June 2025
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Pakistan PM summons National Security Committee meeting as Middle East tensions surge

  • Chaired by the prime minister, NSC is the principal decision-making body on Pakistan’s national security matters 
  • Experts warn Pakistan, which shares a porous border with Iran, may face security, economic challenges as conflict worsens
Updated 23 June 2025
Ismail Dilawar

KARACHI: Pakistan’s premier Shehbaz Sharif has summoned a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) today, Monday, an official of the Prime Minister House confirmed amid surging tensions in the Middle East following the United States’ (US) involvement in the Iran-Israel military conflict. 

The NSC is the principal decision-making body on Pakistan’s national security matters. Chaired by the prime minister, it comprises the ministers of defense, foreign affairs, finance, interior, information and senior military leadership. 

The meeting will take place a day after US targeted key Iranian nuclear facilities, joining Israel in its military conflict against Iran which began on June 13. Israel had launched strikes against Iran’s nuclear sites and targeted its military leadership, saying its attack intended to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. 

“This [NSC meeting] is to happen today,” the official confirmed to Arab News, adding that a statement about the meeting will be released as well. 

The development takes place a day after Pakistan’s mission to the United Nations (UN) announced Islamabad, Beijing and Moscow will present a joint resolution at the UN Security Council calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the Middle East. 

As per a copy of the draft seen by Arab News, the resolution calls for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and a diplomatic solution to the nuclear issue to reach an agreement acceptable to all parties that “guarantees the exclusively peaceful nature of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for complete lifting of all multilateral and unilateral sanctions.”

Pakistan has condemned the US strikes against Iran, with its UN Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad calling on the Security Council on Monday to act “urgently and decisively,” warning against the danger posed to the populations of the region as the war intensifies. 

Experts warn Pakistan, which shares a 900-kilometer porous border with Iran in its southwestern region prone to separatist militancy and cross-border attacks, will face additional security and economic challenges due to the worsening conflict between Tehran and Tel Aviv. 

Financial analysts have warned that surging global oil prices due to the worsening conflict will cause economic setbacks for Pakistan, which relies on expensive fuel imports for its energy demands. Islamabad is grappling with a macroeconomic crisis amid a precarious balance of payment position. 

The crisis also raises questions about how Islamabad will navigate its delicate balancing act between Iran, other Gulf partners, and the US, which remains one of Pakistan’s largest trading partners and a critical source of military and economic assistance. How Pakistan manages these competing ties amid an escalating regional conflict could test its diplomacy in the coming weeks.

Topics: National Security Committee Israel Iran conflict

Pakistani superstar Hania Aamir to star alongside India’s Diljit Dosanjh in ‘Sardaar Ji 3’

Updated 23 June 2025
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Pakistani superstar Hania Aamir to star alongside India’s Diljit Dosanjh in ‘Sardaar Ji 3’

  • Dosanjh announces Sardaar Ji 3 will release on June 27 in theaters around the world except India 
  • Frequent political tensions between India and Pakistan prevent artists from working with each other
Updated 23 June 2025
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani superstar Hania Aamir recently shared the trailer of her upcoming Indian Punjabi horror-comedy movie “Sardaar Ji 3” in which she stars alongside famed Indian singer Diljit Dosanjh, announcing that the film will release in cinemas around the world except India on June 27.

Frequent political tensions between bitter rivals India and Pakistan have restricted artists from both countries from working with each other over the years. Indian producers imposed an unofficial ban on Pakistani artists in 2016 after ties deteriorated. Pakistan also banned the screening of Indian movies after relations with New Delhi reached a new low in 2019 over the disputed Kashmir region.

Pakistani superstar Hania Aamir (R) and Indian singer Diljit Dosanjh in the trailer of their upcoming punjabi film ‘Sardaar Ji 3’, released on June 23, 2025. (Screengrab/ @whitehillmusic/ Youtube) 

Tensions between India and Pakistan surged in May after they engaged in a days-long military conflict before the United States brokered a ceasefire between them. Several Indian media outlets reported this month that Aamir has been replaced as the female lead from Sardaar Ji 3 following the latest hostilities between the neighbors.

“SARDAAR JI 3 releasing 27th June OVERSEAS only!” Aamir wrote on social media platform Instagram on Sunday, sharing the trailer of the film. 

Dosanjh confirmed on his Instagram as well that the movie will not release in India. 

“Sardaar Ji 3 releasing 27th June OVERSEAS only,” the Indian actor wrote.

The movie has been directed by Aamr Hundal and other than Dosanjh and Aamir, stars Gulshan Grover, Neeru Bajwa, Jasmin Bajwa and Manav Ji in prominent roles. 

Pakistani superstar Hania Aamir in the trailer of her upcoming punjabi film ‘Sardaar Ji 3’, released on June 23, 2025. (Screengrab/ @whitehillmusic/ Youtube) 

As per the film’s trailer, Aamir and Neeru Bajwa both play romantic leads opposite Dosanjh. All three work together as ghost hunters tasked with removing a spirit from a mansion in the UK. 

Pakistani actor Fawad Khan and Indian actress Vaani Kapoor’s Bollywood film “Abir Gulaal” was scheduled to release in India on May 9. However, India’s broadcasting ministry said in April it would not allow the film to be released in the country following the April 22 killing of 26 people at a tourist resort in Indian-administered Kashmir.

India accused Pakistan of being involved in the attack, which Islamabad denied. After weeks of tensions, both countries engaged in armed conflict before the ceasefire on May 10. 

Topics: Hania Amir Diljit Dosanjh

Pakistan urges UN Security Council to act ‘decisively’ as Iran-Israel conflict intensifies

Updated 23 June 2025
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Pakistan urges UN Security Council to act ‘decisively’ as Iran-Israel conflict intensifies

  • Middle East tensions surged on Sunday after US carried out airstrikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities
  • Pakistan calls for “peaceful, lasting resolution” to Iran’s nuclear issue via dialogue and diplomacy
Updated 23 June 2025
Kashaf Rehman

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s ambassador to the United Nations has urged the Security Council to act “urgently and decisively” to ensure cessation of hostilities in the Middle East, as tensions surge following Washington’s move to join the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel. 

The international community has intensified its calls for peace in the Middle East after US carried out attacks against Iran’s key nuclear facilities on Sunday, joining Israel in the biggest Western military action against the Islamic Republic since its 1979 revolution.

Pakistan’s UN mission announced on Sunday that Islamabad, Beijing and Moscow will present a joint resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the Middle East. The announcement was made as the Security Council convened an emergency session to discuss US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Pakistan has strongly condemned the American strikes, reiterating that Tehran reserves the right to respond under the UN Charter.

“As the body entrusted with the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, the Security Council must act urgently and decisively,” Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said during the Security Council emergency meeting. 

He said it was the Security Council’s collective responsibility to reject and condemn attacks against Iran launched since June 13, stating that they were in “clear contravention” of international law and the UN Charter. The Pakistani envoy reaffirmed that it was the Security Council’s obligation to protect civilian lives and properties on both sides. 

Ahmad called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a “complete ceasefire” in the Middle East. 

“Promote urgent recourse to dialogue and diplomacy, consistent with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, to find a peaceful and lasting resolution to the Iranian nuclear issue,” the Pakistani ambassador said. 

Iran on Sunday requested for the UN Security Council meeting, calling on the 15-member body “to address this blatant and unlawful act of aggression, to condemn it in the strongest possible terms” following America’s strikes. 

Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon said in a statement on Sunday that the US and Israel “do not deserve any condemnation, but rather an expression of appreciation and gratitude for making the world a safer place.”

UN Secretary-General Guterres branded the US strikes on Iran as a “dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge – and a direct threat to international peace and security.”

Iran’s UN Ambassador Ali Bahreini said Washington had decided to “destroy diplomacy” with its attacks, making it clear that the Iranian military will decide on the “timing, nature and scale” of its response.

Topics: Israel Iran conflict

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