support the government s efforts to stabilize the economy, emphasizing that their involvement was crucial He assured that the government would fully engage the business community in the policymaking process as economic growth could not be achieved without consulting the private sector
He emphasized that the government was actively working to curb smuggling across the borders “By legally exporting sugar to Afghanistan the government secured $211 million in foreign exchange the prime minister said adding that this valuable revenue would have otherwise ended up in the hands of smugglers
He acknowledged the dedicated and sincere efforts of the Pakistan Army and law enforcement agencies in helping to curb smuggling activities across the country
Regarding the government s privatization policy, the prime minister stated, “We are now moving towards a massive privatization process as the government has no role in business activities The prime minister said that terrorism had almost been eliminated from the country in 2018, however, due to bad policies of the subsequent government, the menace had resurfaced in the country “Without uprooting terrorism the country can not not attain the targets of growth and development he added The country he said needed peace stability unity, prosperity and economic growth for which people belonging to all segments of the society would have to work together
The prime minister said he wanted to leave behind a legacy that set the country on the path of sustainable development
He also expressed the confidence that the government s recently launched Uraan Pakistan programme would become successful and achieve all its set targets
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on the occasion stated that the incumbent government's prudent policies had successfully reduced the inflation rate from a steep 40 percent to 2 4 percent
Additionally the policy rate was lowered to 12 percent easing the government s debt servicing burden, he said and emphasized that for the first time in the country’s history, the government was rigorously implementing structural reforms right sizing and pension reforms In his welcome address Planning
Minister Professor Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan s economy lagged behind in the region due to lack of consistency and continuity of policies He expressed his confidence that under Uraan Pakistan programme the country would achieve the export target of $100 billion in five years He said to achieve this target, the export-led industry must have to work round the clock He also proposed to exempt the exportled industry from national holidays Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the prime minister sacrificed his politics for the sake of the country He said the business community always contributed and supported the government in the development journey of the country President Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Atif Ikram Sheikh also
operations teams in the exercise he hoped that the joint naval cooperation between Iran and Pakistan would lay the foundation for more bilateral exercises in the future He also appreciated the efforts of the Iranian Embassy in Pakistan and the Office of the Military Attaché in promoting maritime cooperation He announced that Iran would invite the Pakistan Navy to participate in future exercises
The Iranian Navy is participating in the ninth edition of the multi-national exercise, which began in Karachi on Friday
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
PTI founder Imran Khan wrote a second “open letter” to Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir on Saturday asserting he had written the previous letter with good intentions for the betterment of the country and the nation, so that the growing gap between the army and the people could be reduced but the response was given with extreme frivolity and irresponsibility Imran claimed that 90 per cent of the people would support his previous letter ’s points if public opinion was taken on them In the letter posted on Imran’s X account today he complaining about the alleged mistreatment in prison, saying: The prison administration has done every injustice to me to increase pressure on me while violating basic human rights I have been kept in a death cell I was kept in complete lock-up for 20 days where even sunlight did not reach me For five days, the electricity in my cell was turned off and I was in complete darkness My exercise equipment and TV were taken away and I was not even allowed to have newspapers They
even withhold books whenever they want Apart from these 20 days I was again kept in lock-up for 40 hours My sons have been made to talk to me only three times in the last six months
The PTI founder talked at length about his criticism of recent legal and political developments in the country and the issues being faced by his party and workers All this is against our traditions and due to this, hatred against the army has increased a lot among the people, which if corrected in time is better for both the army and the country other-
PTBA urges FBR to establish fully functional tax office
COMMENT
Breathe Pakistan
THOUGH the purpose of the Breathe Pakistan conference, held in Islamabad on Friday, was to highlight the effects of climate change on one country Pakistan it only served to show that climate change does not respect international borders, which are shown up as what they really are: lines on maps drawn by men That should not conceal how the countries of the Global North are trying to escape the responsibility of their mad rush towards development, which was fuelled by the burning of fossil fuels and thus the production of greenhouse gases which have resulted in the sort of climate change which the entire world is undergoing Pakistan’s experience with climate change so far has shown how matters will go There is no freakish weather like snow in May or floods in the desert So far, there has just been an intensification of existing weather The same weather, but only worse Like the floods Pakistan had in 2023 which occurred when floods normally occur, only more so Indeed, the title of the conference ws a reference to the smog which Pakistan suffered this winter, which was frightening enough but was merely a heightening of an existing trend
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who had considered the issue important enough to address the conference was right to point to the need for nation-states to cooperate, because while some problems have crossborder solutions, greenhouse gas emissions cannot be controlled by states such as Pakistan, but by polluters like the USA and China Mr Sharif was right to print out that more grant-based funding was need to pay for damages ans to make countries resilient, but there is the danger of polluters thinking that they can simply throw money at the problem and it will go away
One of the more profitable avenues to be explored at the conference was that of public-private partnership It must noted that at the latest CoP, CoP 28 in Baku climate financing was discussed in terms of public aid and also by the private sector While public aid means giving fonors leverage, private funds seek profits This mindset has to change if Mankind is to survive the insidious challenge of climate change It would be best for powerful states to remember that their advantages will be pointless if there are no other states, and for private financial organizations to remember the meaningless of wealth when there is nothing to spend it on
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
TNabi burfat
while the West scrambles to adapt to its newfound climate vulnerability nations in the Global South who have contributed the least to this crisis are already drowning burning and starving under its wrath US President Donald Trump s renewed retreat from global climate commitments has deepened the apathy of the world’s largest polluters His secondtime abandonment of international climate agreements emboldens climate denialists corporate lobbyists and fossil fuel conglomerates ensuring that meaningful action remains indefinitely stalled Meanwhile, the most vulnerable nations those already battered by extreme weather view this betrayal
The time for diplomatic
with justifiable outrage The Pacific islands whose existence is already threatened by rising sea levels have been particularly vocal in their condemnation Leaders like Samoa s Fiame Naomi Mata afa have highlighted that Trump s pullback from the Paris Agreement and freeze on foreign aid will directly accelerate the existential threats these nations face For these countries already vulnerable to extreme weather events like tropical cyclones and rising sea levels the American retreat is a harsh blow that undermines any progress toward global climate action Pakistan, which witnessed historic floods in 2022 submerging a third of the country, remains left to fend for itself with meagre assistance from the very nations whose unchecked emissions fueled the disaster The monstrous menace of climate change is no longer an abstract warning it is a lived reality disproportionately afflicting those least responsible for it This stark disparity in responsibility and impact underscores the hypocrisy of the wealthiest nations, as they continue to resist taking the necessary steps to mitigate the devastation they’ve caused In 2024 the Earth recorded its hottest year in human history pushing planetary boundaries beyond precedent Once-unthinkable climate events have become the new normal Wildfires in California raged for weeks, reducing towns to cinders Canada s forests burned so extensively that their smoke turned New York’s skies apocalyptic orange Europe endured yet another year of blistering heat with Spain and Greece surpassing 45°C igniting forests and endangering millions Even the oncetemperate United Kingdom unprepared for such extremes, faced lethal heatwaves and crumbling infrastructure Across South Asia, Pakistan and India battled a deadly combination of scorching heatwaves and monsoon floods, submerging entire villages and displacing millions This devastation is no accident It is the direct outcome of decades of unchecked industrial emissions fossil fuel dependency and corporate greed compounded by governments unwilling to take decisive action Small island nations
Neglected futures
SINCE the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina regime on 5 August 2024, the new interim government, led by Chief Advisor Dr Muhammad Yunus, has shown a political will to better relations with Pakistan Since the genesis of Bangladesh in 1971 the bilateral relationship between the estranged brothers has seen many ups and downs The relations reached a historic low in 2016 as a result of the execution of Bangladesh Jamaate-Islami (BJI) politicians BJI politicians were sentenced for their pro-Pakistani stance in the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971 The historical trend shows an intense milieu when the proIndian party Awami League is in power The Awami League-India nexus has always been a geopolitical challenge for Pakistan With Awami League out of the equation, there is hope for improved relations with Bangladesh There are sufficient indicators of goodwill prevailing on both sides In November 2024 the first cargo ship docked in Chattogram since the inception of Bangladesh A direct maritime route has been launched between Pakistan and Bangladesh Previously, the cargo ships had to pass through third ports like Singapore or Malaysia before reaching Pakistan The mar-
itime route will not only improve economic relations but will also save time and money Bangladesh has also lifted the mandatory 100 percent physical inspection of Pakistani goods Islamabad has also announced scholarships for Bengali students in Pakistan to foster strong ties with Bangladesh Pakistan will give scholarships to 300 Bengali students under the umbrella of Pakistan-Bangladesh Scholarships Program The foreign ministry of Pakistan has announced that Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will take a landmark trip to Dhaka, hinting at the warming ties between Dhaka and Islamabad Ishaq Dar will be the first foreign minister to visit Dhaka since 2012 All these developments are commendable But Dhaka and Islamabad need to take substantive steps to foster strong ties between the two countries The trade volume between Pakistan and Bangladesh has been a mere $782 million in fiscal year 2022-2023 It is a negligible amount when looking at the combined potential for trade The two countries need to ease the trade and tariff regulations to enhance the bilateral trade between them Interdependence is a pivotal step for a strong bilateral relationship Bilateral trade volume can be enhanced by implementing multilateral trade agreements like SAFTA Both countries need to hold dialogue to reach a consensus on a Free Trade Agreement It will substantially strengthen economic ties between Dhaka and Islamabad Several news outlets have reported talks of direct flights between Pakistan and Bangladesh Currently, the flight route between the two countries is via connecting flights, which are time-consuming and costly Direct flights will reduce both time and money Moreover both countries need to revisit the visa regulations Easing visa regulations will enhance traveling
The conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement can significantly increase the bilateral trade volume. Easing visa restrictions and direct flights will boost tourism and increase frequent travel for both countries. Expanding educational programs and cultural programs will deepen mutual understanding and shared heritage. Defence cooperation will build strategic trust essential to counter mounting geopolitical pressures. Both countries should seize this opportunity for economic, cultural, and strategic partnership, turning a new page in their bilateral relations for mutual benefit and regional stability
and strengthen people-to-people interaction
Bilateral relationships can also be bolstered through educational programmes The exact number of students enrolled in Pakistan and Bangladesh is challenging since neither country has maintained a central database of foreign student enrollment However the numbers are believed to be limited given the combined population Pakistani students are enrolled in Bangladesh under the SAARC Quota and the government scholarship programme Dhaka and Bangladesh must increase this figure to foster educational and ideational exchange between the two countries It is pivotal for the two countries' interconnected and strong bilateral relationship The announcement of 300 scholarships for Bengali students is a good step in the way Currently, the cultural and people-to-people interaction between the two countries is nominal Pakistan and Bangladesh have shared culture, heritage, religion, and memories of pre-partition India The performance of famous Pakistani Qawwal Rahat Fateh Ali Khan in Bangladesh shows that culture and love of music transcend territorial boundaries The cultural exchange has an immense potential to nurture feelings of love and affection between the people of two countries It can be increased through music performances art exhibitions literary festivals and cultural exchange programs
Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has repeatedly called for the revitalization of SAARC SAARC is to hold its biennial meeting since it was last held in 2014 The multilateral forum of SAARC can further the bilateral relationship between Dhaka and Bangladesh A strong bilateral relationship is inevitable to counter the rising geo-political influence of India in South Asia Several news outlets have reported sending a major warship to the exercise Aman signaling an increase in defence ties The Pakistan Navy usually conducts Exercise Aman in February Previously, the Bangladesh Navy sent a delegation comprising a few officers Dhaka and Islamabad need to prioritize regular high-level engagements to strengthen bilateral ties The conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement can significantly increase the bilateral trade volume Easing visa restrictions and direct flights will boost tourism and increase frequent travel for both countries Expanding educational programs and cultural programs will deepen mutual understanding and shared heritage Defence cooperation will build strategic trust essential to counter mounting geopolitical pressures Both countries should seize this opportunity for economic, cultural, and strategic partnership, turning a new page in their bilateral relations for mutual benefit and regional stability The writer is associated with the Centre for Law and Security Islamabad (CLAS)
arzaM Murad bajwa
Majid
Social Mobilization and Child Labour
Son
in
labour has
progressive at
that
parts of the
in
forms throughout history During the 19th and early 20th centuries, children aged five to 14 from impoverished families were often employed in Western countries and their colonies These children primarily worked in agriculture home-based assembly operations factories mining and services such as newspaper distribution Many children worked night shifts lasting up to 12 hours, depriving them of education and healthy development However with the increase in household incomes the establishment of compulsory education and the passage of stringent child labour laws the prevalence of child labour has declined in many parts of the world Despite significant progress, child labour remains a global issue As of 2023, approximately one in five children in the world s poorest countries are engaged in child labour The highest number of child labourers reside in sub-Saharan Africa where more than one in four children are subjected to exploitative labour conditions According to a 2017 report, more than 50 percent of children aged 5–14 in Mali Benin Chad and Guinea-Bissau were en-
gaged in child labour Globally, agriculture remains the largest employer of child labour with most child workers found in rural settings and informal urban economies In many cases children are employed by their parents rather than by formal businesses Poverty and lack of access to education are the primary drivers of child labour, perpetuating cycles of intergenerational economic hardship Research conducted by organizations such as UNICEF and the ILO indicates that boys and girls are equally likely to be involved in child labour but often perform different roles While boys are more likely to be engaged in hazardous occupations such as mining and construction, girls are disproportionately involved in unpaid household labour which is often unrecognized and undervalued Such disparities highlight the need for gender-sensitive approaches to addressing child labour Between 1960 and 2003, the global incidence of child labour fell from 25 percent to 10 percent as reported by the World Bank However the total number of child labourers remains alarmingly high In 2013 UNICEF and the ILO estimated that approximately 168 million children aged five to 17 worldwide were engaged in child labour Although progress has been made, significant efforts are still needed to eradicate this social ill Addressing child labour requires a multifaceted approach involving education economic empowerment legislation and advocacy Individuals communities businesses and governments must collaborate to combat this pressing issue Some effective strategies include:
Increasing public knowledge about the adverse effects of child labour and the im-
portance of education is crucial Humane education resources can be used to teach children parents and community members about the dangers of child exploitation and the benefits of education
Schools NGOs and media platforms play a vital role in disseminating information about child labour and advocating for policy changes Consumers have the power to influence business practices by supporting fair trade and sweatshop-free products Looking for certifications
The illustrations also evoke some long-buried questions regarding indigenous rights, army repression, forced disappearances and ex trajudicial killings
How should political cartoonists and illustrators respond to a brutally repressive regime that silences all dissent and free expression? How can artists make complex socio-political issues more accessible through their work? Can satire and humour be used to defeat a dictatorship? Are political cartoons still relevant in the digital age? What s the role of cartoonists and illustrators in society at large?
Based on the exhibition ‘Cartoon e Bidroho (Cartoons of Rebellion)’ the book Satire and Ridicule: Cartoons that Demolished a Dictator (July Uprising) edited by noted Bangladeshi photojournalist Shahidul Alam, weaves a framework in which answers to these questions could be found Throughout history, art has always served the purpose of an archive From Goya’s harrowing Disasters of War and Chittoprasad s stark illustrations of 1943 s Bengal famine to Käthe Kollwitz s visual documentations of the Great Peasants Revolt (to name a few), art has consistently documented realities, responded to them, and quite often shaped them too Satire and Ridicule fulfils this very pur-
pose It is a collection of illustrations, cartoons and graffiti made during the July mass uprising in Bangladesh last year that ultimately led to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina from power Divided into eight chapters the book chronologically and thematically curates the cartoons and illustrations to tell the story of the uprising – what sparked the movement and what followed With an unapologetic tone vivid colours and bold fonts the book captures the zeitgeist of a nation suffocating under a dictatorial regime and chronicles how a student-led protest grew into a nationwide uprising through a blend of images and narratives In the book’s preface, Alam, Simu Naser and Mehedi Haque write: “She (Sheikh Hasina) had destroyed all public institutions converted the police into a private army and weaponised the judiciary Leading artists and intellectuals had become complicit in the repression They used the struggle for freedom in 1971 to plaster over the murderous repression by the Hasina regime There were important exceptions A group of young cartoonists at Earki and Bangladesh Cartoonist Association (BANCARAS) along with a few of their mentors continued to protest throughout the repressive period despite the risks Drik continued to exhibit their work despite the danger Some visitors continued to come and see the work despite the possible dire outcome Some newspapers covered these events despite the risk of being shut down With the fall of the dictator there was a new burst of creativity which led to a new exhibition It is the courage, the tenacity and the undying belief in democracy which brought these organisations BANCARAS Earki and Drik Picture Library and these talented cartoonists together We celebrate them through this
book ” This book is a tribute to the indomitable courage of the people of Bangladesh especially young cartoonists/artists whose works shared across the social media platforms and streets of Bangladesh helped build solidarities across the country even during a brutal crackdown on dissent Encountering complex and multifaceted realities each image imbued with satire irony resilience ridicule and anger becomes a window into the socio-political landscape of the time We see the dictator s hubris lampooned, her manipulation of the 1971 liberation narrative exposed, the brutal reality of police and state-sponsored “helmet goons” and the people’s simmering discontent given a visual voice The cartoons range from subtle jabs to outright mockery demonstrating the diverse ways artists across Bangladesh took on Hasina s regime and registered their dissent In this era often called post-truth, where entrenched beliefs, fake news and misinformation take up most of the space in public discourse it seems easier than ever for any authoritarian or dictatorial regime to dilute and obliterate the memories of violence from the collective mind with sheer lies and propaganda However, this book appears to be an effort to use art as a witness, remembering and documenting quite vividly what has been perpetrated and how the people of Bangladesh collectively responded with a revolution The illustrations show how the efforts of the Hasina regime to label student protestors as razakars (Bengali collaborators of the Pakistan Army) completely backfired, how the gruesome acts of killing students and young protestors led to even bigger resistance nationwide how a series of misinformation campaigns by the Hasina
regime were instantly debunked and turned into mockery and memes and despite it all how the people of Bangladesh stood firm in the pursuit of democracy and justice While sharply pointing towards Ek Dopha, Ek Dabi (One Point, One Demand) – used as a slogan to call for an end to the Hasina regime – the illustrations also evoke some long-buried questions regarding indigenous rights army repression forced disappearances and extrajudicial killings It also illustrates how to deal with a media that is propagandist and complicit to state-sponsored violence, and how not to fall prey to the crocodile tears and nice gestures’ of leaders of an oppressive regime Satire and
BJP ’s landslide ends Kejriwal’s reign
Delhi joins the lotus bloom; AAP faces political eclipse; Congress disappears
Tribune Smita Gupta
JUDGE HALTS TRUMP’S PL AN TO PL ACE
2,200 USAID WORKERS ON LEAVE
ated a complex security landscape
Unlike other oceans, most of its trade is extra- regional and it is home to the world's largest concentration of energyrich littorals The Ocean s importance lies in its geographic orientation which provides critical connectivity between East and West Global interest remains focused on its energy resources and vital chokepoints through which trade and energy supplies transit The Western Indian Ocean is a major hub for illicit drugs and arms worth over $190 million annually A total of 33 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships were recorded in the first three months of 2024, an increase from 27 incidents for the same period in 2023 The ongoing crisis in the Red Sea further complicates the situation making the Indian Ocean a crucial and volatile region requiring strategic attention In this context, the Pakistan Navy has been at the forefront of efforts to ensure the safety and security of the country's maritime borders The Pakistan Navy has made significant contributions to regional maritime security including participating in international counterpiracy operations and engaging in bilateral exercises with neighboring navies
The establishment of Combined Task Force-151 (CTF-151) and the adoption of Best Management Practices (BMP-5)have been game- changers with Pakistan commanding CTF- 151 an impressive
Ar vind Kejriwal,
eleven times Furthermore, Pakistan Navy's initiative of Regional Maritime Security Patrols (RMSP) has effectively countered non-traditional threats such as drug trafficking and terrorism underscoring Pakistan s commitment to safeguarding the global maritime commons
The Pakistan Navy's (PN) AMAN exercises have emerged as a cornerstone of regional maritime cooperation fostering a culture of collaboration and mutual understanding among nations Since its inception in 2007 the exercise has grown in stature, with the last edition, AMAN23, witnessed the participation of fifty nations under the theme of "Together for Peace" AMAN-23’s two-phase structure-harbor and sea phases culminated in a spectacular International Fleet Review (IFR) This event demonstrated operational excellence through activities such as underway replenishment, rocket and depth charge firing, surface firing, and a fly-past by PN and PAF air units
The grand finale a “Man and Cheer Ship ceremony honored the chief guests reinforcing the exercise s reputation as a beacon of regional maritime cooperation and peace
The 9thedition of this exercise is going to be conducted from 7-11 February in tandem with the inaugural of AMAN Dialogue a visionary platform that will propel the maritime community into a future of collaborative excellence
The AMAN Dialogueis a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing collaboration and dialogue among maritime security stakeholders For the first time this event will bring together heads of navies, coast guards, and other key maritime security players to discuss critical issues facing the maritime domain
The dialogue serves as a platform for sharing perspectives exchanging ideas and fostering mutual understanding on challenges such as piracy terrorism marine pollution and the protection of sea lanes By facilitating open discussions and strengthening relationships, the AMAN Dialogue underscores Pakistan’s commitment to multilateralism and cooperative security reinforcing its role as a facilitator of regional peace and stability in the Indian Ocean Region
To sum up, initiative of AMAN exercises and AMAN Dialogue continue to foster a culture of dialogue on maritime security, addressing evolving maritime concerns and fortifying a united front against emerging security challenges
The unprecedented convergence of naval forces is a resplendent tribute to Pakistan Navy's unwavering professionalism, cementing Pakistan's stature as a beacon of peace, security and stability in the region
The writer is a research Associate at Maritime Centre of Excellence Pakistan Navy War College Lahore
PAKISTAN’S BUDGET DEFICIT REACHES
govt ’s incompetence, corruption had pushed
Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb accompanied by Minister for Information and Culture Uzma Bukhari announced in a press conference that the Horse and Cattle Show will commence on February 9 at Fortress Stadium, with the opening ceremony to be led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif This grand event will highlight Punjab s rich cultural heritage and symbolize the province s continued progress and prosperity The event has been in preparation for the past four months, bringing together the diverse colors of Punjab During the press conference the Senior Provincial Minister stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the country is on the path to development She emphasized that the previous government s incompetence and corruption had nearly pushed the country into bankruptcy but Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) successfully stabilized the economy through strategic policies Inflation has dropped from 30% to 4% bread prices have de-
creased, foreign relations have improved and agreements with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have been restored Significant progress has been made in the education sector, with 50,000 scholarships awarded to students Additionally, subsidized solar programs, e-bikes, and laptop schemes are being implemented In terms of infrastructure 900 new roads have been completed and urban and rural health units have been established according to international standards Government initiatives have also led to a reduction of 90,000 hospital admissions while construction continues on the Nawaz Sharif Cardiology Hospital in Sargodha To improve environmental sustainability plastic bags
The
(PDWP)
The approval was granted under the chairmanship of Planning and Development (P&D) Board Chairman Barrister Nabeel Ahmad Awan with senior officials including Secretary P&D Board Dr Asif Tufail and Chief Economist Masood Anwar in at-
tendance
The approved projects focus on road infrastructure development across multiple districts A key project involves constructing a road from Bahawalpur (N-5) to Jhangrah Sharqi Interchange (KLM) in District Bahawalpur at a cost of Rs4 933 billion
Another project will see the dualisation of the road from Mian Channu (N-5) to Abdul Hakim Interchange (M-4) via Tulamba in District Khanewal costing Rs3 039 billion Additionally the PDWP ap-
proved the dualisation of the road from Gujranwala to the M-2 Interchange at Kot Sarwar via Hafizabad, with an allocation of Rs13 231 billion
The dualisation of the Sargodha-Khushab-Mianwali Road in District Khushab was also sanctioned at a cost of Rs11 806 billion
Another project, focused on widening and improving the road from Sialkot Cantt to Jassar Garrison in Districts Sialkot and Narowal was approved for Rs7 058 billion
LHC modifies status quo order in favor of Wah Industries and Repkon, Turkey against petition of unsuccessful South Korean bidder
A late fightback from Abrar Ahmed, who remained unbeaten on 25 off 15 balls, was not enough as Pakistan were eventually bowled out for 252 New Zealand’s bowlers delivered a clinical performance with Mitchell Santner and Matt Henry taking three wickets apiece Bracewell also played a key role, claiming two scalps as Pakistan s chase faltered Earlier, Glenn Phillips’ brilliant century helped New Zealand set a formidable target of 331 New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and opted to bat first However, the decision to bat initially appeared to backfire when Will Young was dismissed early caught by Muhammad Rizwan off Shaheen Shah Afridi in the first over Rachin Ravindra who part-
falling in the 24th over Vice-captain Salman Ali Agha then attempted to steady the innings scoring 40 off 51 balls including two boundaries and a six He contributed to partnerships with Tayyab Tahir (30) and Khushdil Shah (15), but Michael Bracewell’s timely breakthrough sent him back to the pavilion
nered with Kane Williamson at the crease contributed to a 39-run stand before he was dismissed, caught by Abrar Ahmed off his own bowling With both openers gone within the first powerplay Williamson and Daryl Mitchell took control forging a 95-run partnership to steady the ship Williamson, who had been in solid form, was dismissed for 58 off 89 deliveries, including seven boundaries His departure left New Zealand at 135/4 in 27 1 overs after Haris Rauf had also dismissed Tom Latham for a duck Mitchell remained resilient through the middle overs, scoring 81 off 84 balls, including two fours and four sixes He and Phillips put together a crucial 65-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Mitchell’s dismissal to Abrar Ahmed in the 38th over Phillips however accelerated in the final stages, reaching an unbeaten 106 off 74 balls, which included six fours and seven sixes His powerful knock along with a quick-fire 23 balls 31 from Michael Bracewell helped New Zealand surpass the 300-run mark
