‘Block that noise’: Ex-captain Sarfaraz advises Pakistan to hold nerves during India clash 

Pakistan's captain Sarfaraz Ahmed plays a shot during the 2019 Cricket World Cup group stage match between New Zealand and Pakistan at Edgbaston in Birmingham, central England, on June 26, 2019. (AFP/ File)
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Updated 13 February 2025
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‘Block that noise’: Ex-captain Sarfaraz advises Pakistan to hold nerves during India clash 

  • Pakistan face India on Feb. 23 in Dubai for Champions Trophy 2025 Group A clash 
  • Under Sarfaraz Ahmed’s leadership in 2017, Pakistan beat India to win Champions Trophy

ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan cricket captain Sarfaraz Ahmed advised the green shirts to head into their highly anticipated Champions Trophy clash against India by keeping their nerves in check and avoiding the added pressure, the International Cricket Council (ICC) reported on Thursday. 

India and Pakistan will take the field against each other in Dubai on Feb. 23 for their Champions Trophy Group A clash. One of the fiercest rivalries in sport, cricket matches between the two countries draw thousands to stadiums across the world, and millions to TV sets. 

Pakistan will begin their title defense against New Zealand on Feb. 19 in Karachi. Under Ahmed’s leadership in 2017, Pakistan beat India to lift the Champions Trophy that year in a one-sided clash. 

“Whenever we meet, it is a special occasion and there is so much hype and pressure around it,” Ahmed wrote in a column for the ICC.

“But as players, you need to stay calm, try and block that noise out, and just play with the same intensity as you would play Australia or any other team.”

Ahmed said Pakistan have a strong team and a really good chance of successfully defending the trophy. 

“Some of the boys from 2017 are still there and we’re talking about some of the best – especially Babar Azam,” he said, referring to Pakistan’s most prolific ODI batter. 

Ahmed noted that Azam was more mature and formidable than he was in 2017. 

“His batting will be so important for Pakistan and so will Fakhar Zaman’s,” he said, referring to Pakistan’s left-handed aggressive opening batter. 

He said left-armer Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf are both “brilliant bowlers.”

“The captain, Mohammad Rizwan, is also a wicketkeeper-batter, which worked pretty well for me back in 2017!” he said. 

The green shirts will face New Zealand in the final of an ongoing tri-nation series involving South Africa on Friday in Karachi. 

The tri-nation series is a warm-up before the Champions Trophy kicks off next week. 


Pakistan offers condolences as Texas floods death toll rises to 50

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Pakistan offers condolences as Texas floods death toll rises to 50

  • Floods in Texas began on Friday as months’ worth of rain fell in a matter of hours
  • Shehbaz Sharif hopes ongoing rescue efforts help save more lives from calamity 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered condolences to US President Donald Trump this week as the death toll from flash floods in Texas rose to 50, with American rescuers continuing the search for missing persons. 

The flooding began in Texas on Friday — the start of the Fourth of July holiday weekend — as months’ worth of rain fell in a matter of hours.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has warned that more rain has been forecast, and that “excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.”

“Deeply saddened by the loss of precious lives in the tragic flash floods in Texas, USA,” Sharif wrote on the social media platform X on Saturday night.

“Hope the ongoing rescue efforts will be successful in saving more people from this natural calamity.”

Monsoon rains have wreaked havoc in several parts of Pakistan since June 26, with the country reporting at least 66 deaths and 127 injuries due to rain-related incidents. 

A deadly flash flood in the scenic Swat Valley, caused by a sudden rise in water levels due to monsoon rains, killed 13 members of a single tourist family last week.

“Having suffered a similar incident in northwest Pakistan just a few days ago, we can fully understand the pain and suffering of the bereaved families,” Sharif said. 

“Our thoughts and prayers are with President Trump @realDonaldTrump and the American nation at this difficult time,” he added. 

Flash floods, which occur when the ground is unable to absorb torrential rainfall, are not unusual.

But scientists say that in recent years that human-driven climate change has made extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, and heatwaves more frequent and more intense.

With additional input from AFP 


Death toll from Pakistan building collapse rises to 23 

Updated 45 min 50 sec ago
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Death toll from Pakistan building collapse rises to 23 

  • Friday’s incident was the latest in a string of deadly building collapses in Karachi
  • It laid bare the issue of unsafe housing in the city, home to over 20 million people

KARACHI: The death toll from a five-story building collapse in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi rose to 23 late Saturday, the Sindh Health Department said after rescuers pulled more bodies from the rubble.

The Fotan Mansion residential building, where several families were said to be living, crumbled around 10 am on Friday in the impoverished Lyari neighborhood of the city.

Rescue workers, along with residents of the area, worked through the night to find survivors and bodies after the incident, which has once again laid bare the issue of unsafe housing in Karachi.

“[Total deaths] from the Karachi building collapse have reached 23 now,” the Sindh Health Department said in a message sent to reporters. 

Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab said on Saturday morning the rescue operation was still ongoing at the collapse site.

“Rescue operation still continues at Baghdadi Lyari where the building had collapsed yesterday,” Wahab wrote on social media platform X. 

Many of the occupants were members of the low-income Hindu minority community and residents estimated that around 40 people were inside when the building collapsed.

According to the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), Fotan Mansion had been declared unsafe three years ago.

“This building was declared dangerous by the SBCA in 2022 and had been served multiple notices over the years,” SBCA spokesperson Shakeel Dogar told Arab News on Saturday.

“Before the recent rains, public announcements were also made in the area, but unfortunately, no one was willing to vacate.”

Friday’s incident is the latest in a string of deadly building collapses in Karachi.

In February 2020, a five-story building collapsed in Rizvia Society, killing at least 27 people. The following month, another residential structure came down in Gulbahar, claiming 16 lives. In June 2021, a three-story building in Malir collapsed, killing four. And just last year, in August, a building collapse in Qur’angi led to at least three deaths.

Mayor Wahab said on Friday evening that rescue efforts remained the city government’s top priority, with accountability and investigation to follow.

“Once we’re done with the rescue aspect, we will focus on who was responsible for this negligence or omission,” he added.


Minister orders probe into killing of barking deer on Islamabad’s Margalla Hills

Updated 06 July 2025
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Minister orders probe into killing of barking deer on Islamabad’s Margalla Hills

  • The South Asian country has witnessed frequent incidents of violation of wildlife laws
  • This week, an escaped pet lion attacked a woman, two children in a busy street in Lahore

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr. Musadik Malik has taken notice of the killing of an endangered barking deer on Islamabad’s Margalla Hills and ordered a probe into the incident, the Press Information Department (PID) said on Saturday.

Barking deer, also known as Indian muntjac, are found in isolated populations within Margalla Hills National Park, Khanpur Range and Lathrar near the Pakistani capital of Islamabad. They are considered endangered in Pakistan due to their restricted range and declining population.

A disturbing video circulating on social media this week showed three men slaughtering the rare animal on the roadside and has sparked public anger and calls to investigate the incident.

Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Minister Malik condemned the hunting and killing of wildlife in protected areas, according to a PID statement.

“Such acts of cruelty and disregard for conservation laws are unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” the minister, who has sought a report from authorities on the incident, was quoted as saying.

Separately, the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) said it had filed a complaint with police, seeking action against the ones involved in the incident for violating the Islamabad Nature Conservation and Wildlife Management Act.

“Barking deer is a protected animal under Schedule 1 of the act,” the IWMB said on X. “A request has been made for action under sections 12.4(a) and 16.1(a) of the Nature Act 2024.”

The board said a violation of the relevant section of the law is punishable by a fine of Rs1 million ($3,523) and imprisonment for a term of up to one year.

Pakistan has witnessed frequent incidents of violation of wildlife laws.

An escaped pet lion chased a woman and two children down a busy street in Pakistan’s Lahore, police said Friday, with dramatic footage showing the big cat leaping a wall before pouncing on them. All three were taken to hospital but were not in a critical condition.

Keeping exotic animals, especially big cats, as pets has long been seen as a sign of privilege and power in Punjab, the most populous province of the country.
Police said they had arrested three men.

“The suspects fled from the spot, taking the lion with them. They were arrested within 12 hours of the incident,” the office of the Deputy Inspector General Operations in Lahore said.

The lion, an 11-month-old male, has been confiscated by police and sent to a wildlife park.


Pakistan, UAE agree to boost cooperation in higher education, human resources

Updated 05 July 2025
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Pakistan, UAE agree to boost cooperation in higher education, human resources

  • The UAE is home to over 1.5 million Pakistanis who send more than $5 billion in remittances annually
  • Both countries resolve to work on initiatives to benefit students, academic institutions and professionals

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in higher education and human resource development, the Pakistani embassy said on Saturday.

The statement came after a meeting between Pakistan’s Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi and Dr. Abdulrahman bin Abdulmanan Al-Awar, the UAE minister of human resources, higher education and scientific research.

The UAE is home to more than 1.5 million Pakistani expatriates who live and work in the Gulf country and send back more than $5 billion in remittances to the South Asian country annually.

During the meeting, Ambassador Tirmizi highlighted the contributions of the Pakistani community to the UAE’s development and appreciated the Gulf country for fostering an inclusive and enabling environment for expatriates.

“Both sides reviewed ongoing collaboration and explored avenues to further enhance bilateral cooperation in the fields of higher education and human resource development,” the Pakistani embassy said.

“The discussions reflected a shared resolve to work closely on initiatives that benefit students, academic institutions, and professionals from both countries.”

Ambassador Tirmizi reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening institutional linkages and advancing cooperation in skill development and workforce preparedness.

“Minister Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Awar lauded the longstanding and brotherly relations between the two countries and expressed the UAE’s keen interest in expanding its partnership with Pakistan in mutually beneficial areas,” the Pakistani embassy said.

“He welcomed sustained dialogue and coordination between the relevant authorities of both nations.”


Eight militants killed in separate operations in Pakistan’s Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Updated 05 July 2025
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Eight militants killed in separate operations in Pakistan’s Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

  • The operations were conducted in Lakki Marwat and near Taunsa Sharif on the reported presence of militants
  • Pakistan has witnessed a sharp rise in militancy in its western regions bordering Afghanistan in recent months

KARACHI: At least eight militants were killed in two separate operations in Pakistan’s Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provinces, authorities said on Saturday.

In the first incident, officials of the KP counter-terrorism department (CTD) and police conducted a raid in the Lakki Marwat district which resulted in an encounter with militants.

The shootout left three members of the Pakistani Taliban’s Tipu Gul group dead, whereas officials seized three Kalashnikovs and hundreds of rounds from the site, according to a CTD statement.

“These militants were actively engaged in targeted killings and direct assaults against law enforcement personnel, including multiple CTD and district police officials,” the statement read.

In another operation in Punjab, CTD and police personnel gunned down five Pakistani Taliban militants near Taunsa Sharif district, the interior ministry, adding referring to them as “Indian-sponsored terrorists.”

“Punjab police and the CTD thwarted the nefarious motives of Khawarij [Pakistani Taliban] terrorists,” Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was quoted as saying. “We will continue to chase the terrorists of Fitna Al-Hindustan everywhere.”

Pakistan has witnessed a sharp rise in violence in its western regions bordering Afghanistan.

On Friday, the Pakistani military said security forces had killed at least 30 “Indian-sponsored” militants while attempting to cross into Pakistan through its border with Afghanistan this week.

Islamabad accuses India of backing militant groups and Afghanistan of allowing the use of its soil for attacks against Pakistan. Kabul and New Delhi deny the allegation.