Nawaz’s visa rejection welcome development: Fawad
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain on Thursday said the rejection of extension in visa of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif by the United Kingdom was a welcome development. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader should better approach the Pakistan High Commission in London for getting temporary traveling documents and return home to serve the remaining jail term, he said in a video statement. Fawad said it was abundantly clear that Nawaz Sharif was not sick as he was seen dining in restaurants and strolling (on London roads), but he had obtained the visa by telling lies to the British authorities about his health. He said, “We have said time and again that Prime Minister Imran Khan and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have no personal enmity against Nawaz Sharif.” The issue, in fact, was that he (Nawaz) was a fugitive (in London) after looting billions of rupees of the national wealth, and he should have to return that in order to live a normal life at his home, he added. In case, he did not return the looted money, he would have to go to jail, the minister said. He said the Pakistan Government and the community had demanded the British Government not to give refuge to the people, who were involved in billions of rupees corruption. Fawad said the first option for Nawaz Sharif was to turn up at the Pakistan High Commission, get travel documents, return home, complete the jail sentence and fight his corruption cases. Secondly, the minister said, he could challenge the decision of UK authorities. But he had no grounds for the purpose. He was not ill as the relevant authorities were witnessing his dining at restaurants and roaming on the roads, besides holding meetings. He might be sentenced by the UK courts again for not providing actual information about his health, he added.
New Zealand confirms Pakistan’s tour after 18 years
DNA
Lahore: Pakistan Cricket Board announced New Zealand will play three ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League ODIs and five Twenty20 Internationals on their first tour to Pakistan in 18 years.
Rawalpindi’s Pindi Cricket Stadium will be the venue of the 17, 19 and 21 September ODIs, while the iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will stage the five T20Is from 25 September to 3 October.
While the Rawalpindi ODIs will count towards the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 qualification, third position on the ICC T20I Team Rankings will be up for grabs in Lahore.
The ICC World Test Championship winners will return to Pakistan next year to play Test matches.
New Zealand will be the first side to visit Pakistan in what will be a bumper 2021-22 season for the local cricket fans and supporters. Following New Zealand’s tour, England’s men and women sides will play white-ball matches in Pakistan before West Indies are expected to arrive in Karachi in December for three ODIs and three T20Is. Australia is scheduled to undertake a full tour in February/March 2022.
PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan: “Series against a top-ranked side like New Zealand will be a perfect start to a mouth-watering and highly-exciting home season of red and white-ball cricket. The 2019 World Cup finalists, who are also the World Test champions and ranked third in T20Is, will draw tremendous attraction and interest from the local fans, and will reinforce Pakistan’s status as a safe and secure country.
“I am pleased New Zealand Cricket has accepted our offer to play two additional Twenty20 Internationals. These will not only provide extra games to both the countries as part of their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup preparations, but will also allow New Zealand players to spend extra days in Pakistan, familiarise with our culture and enjoy our hospitality.
“With leading cricket playing countries resuming their tours to Pakistan in 2019, I remain confident and optimistic that the 2021-22 season starting with the series against New Zealand will prove to be a catalyst in rejuvenating our talented youngsters while attracting new fans to the game that has the most passionate following in the country.”
NZC Chief Executive David White: “We’re very much looking forward to returning to Pakistan for the start of their home international season.
“New Zealand was the first country outside India to tour Pakistan and we share a close relationship with the PCB.
“It’s great that, after such a difficult time for Pakistan, international cricket is again being played in the country.”
In the Super League, Pakistan have 40 points from nine ODIs, while New Zealand have won all three ODIs and are presently sitting pretty on 30 points. The seven top-ranked sides and World Cup hosts India will progress directly for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 to take place in India in October/November 2023.
New Zealand last toured Pakistan in November 2003 when they played five ODIs. A year before, their last Test appearance in Pakistan was at the Gaddafi Stadium in May 2002, which is remembered for Inzamam-ul-Haq’s 329 and Shoaib Akhtar’s six for 11 in the first innings that set the platform for an innings and 324-run victory.
Since the 2003 ODI series, Pakistan have thrice hosted New Zealand for ODIs in the United Arab Emirates with the Black Caps winning the 2019-10 and 2014-15 series )2-1 and 3-2, respectively) and drawing the 2018-19 series 1-1.
However, Pakistan won the 2009-10 and 2018-19 T20I series by 2-0 and 3-0, respectively, while the 2014-15 series was tied at 1-1. New Zealand drew the 2014-15 Test series 1-1 and won the 2018-19 series by 2-1.
Series schedule
11 Sep – Arrival in Islamabad
12-14 Sep – Room isolation
15-16 Sep – Training/practice/intra-squad match
17 Sep – 1st ODI, Rawalpindi
19 Sep – 2nd ODI, Rawalpindi
21 Sep – 3rd ODI, Rawalpindi
25 Sep – 1st T20I, Lahore
26 Sep – 2nd T20I, Lahore
29 Sep – 3rd T20I, Lahore
1 Oct – 4th T20I, Lahore
3 Oct – 5th T20I, Lahore
Hockey-Belgium claim first gold after shootout win over Australia
TOKYO: Belgium won their first Olympic men’s hockey title, beating Australia 3-2 in a penalty shootout after the final finished in a 1-1 draw on Thursday.
The sides were locked in a close fight through much of the match, with Belgium forward Florent van Aubel giving the Red Lions the lead two minutes into the second half.
Australia equalised thanks to a goal by Tom Wickham, sending the match to the shootout, in which Belgian goalie Vincent Vanasch saved three attempts from the Kookaburras, including a retake from Jake Whetton following a video referral.
But Vanasch saved Whetton’s second try, winning Belgium the title. “We were really focused and then I did the job at the end,” Vanasch told reporters. “I’m really happy. I think all of the Belgian people are proud today of the Belgium national team.” Australia, who won the silver medal, claimed their last Olympic title in 2004. “It’s a tough way to lose the gold medal,” Australia’s goalie Andrew Charter said.
“We didn’t want to go to shootouts. We had the lion’s share (of the game) at the end. If you let it go to shootouts it can be a bit of a coin toss sometimes.” India took the bronze earlier on Thursday after a thrilling 5-4 victory over Germany, giving the country its first Olympic medal in the sport since the 1980 Moscow Games.
India forward Simranjeet Singh scored twice, including the winner. “It’s a dream come true,” Simranjeet said. “We’ve made 1.3 billion Indians proud by finishing on the podium.”
The high-scoring match was not easy for eight-time Olympic champions India. Germany took an early lead through a second-minute goal by Timur Oruz, and posed a threat to India in the first quarter. After Simranjeet equalised with a backhand shot, Germany kept their cool, scoring twice to take a 3-1 lead in the second quarter.
But India pulled level late in that quarter thanks to goals by Hardik Singh and Harmanpreet Singh, making it 3-3 at halftime.
India took a 5-3 lead after Rupinder Pal Singh notched in a penalty stroke and Simranjeet scored the winner not long into the second half.
Germany got one goal back and tried to force the equaliser, even taking out their goalkeeper to bring in an extra outfield player but they could not beat India goalie Sreejesh Parattu Raveendran who made nine saves in the match.
Pakistan seeks exit from Britain’s ‘red’ list
DNA
LONDON: Pakistan has asked the British government to remove its name from England’s “red” list, Pakistan High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Moazzam Ahmed Khan said Thursday, following the latest review by Britain of its travel curbs.
The passengers on the red list require a costly 10-day hotel quarantine on arrival. Georgia, Mexico, and France’s Indian Ocean territories of La Reunion, and Mayotte have also been moved onto the red list.
Moreover, passengers from red list countries need to take a COVID-19 test before they enter England — children aged 10 and under do not need to take it.
Khan said the coronavirus situation is better in Pakistan, except for Karachi, “and our government has done tremendous work in its COVID-19 response”.
“Pakistan’s coronavirus response has been acknowledged globally,” he said. The Economist, in a report, had ranked Pakistan at number three out of 50 countries who performed well in controlling the COVID-19 spread.
The British government should “appreciate Pakistan’s coronavirus response, review its decisions, and consider Pakistan’s recommendations,” the envoy added.
British members of Parliament also lambasted their government for not removing Pakistan from the red list.
British MP Naaz Shah in a statement issued on her twitter handle said she was surprised by the move, adding that this is not the first time that the British government has shown such callous behaviour when dealing with the quarantine traffic light system.
She said, “India s seven-day infection rate is 20 per 100,000 people and is now on the amber list but Pakistan, whose seven-day infection rate is just 14 per 100,000 people – well below the vast majority of amber list destinations, remains on the red list.”
“Whilst families have been forced away from loved ones for months, it is unacceptable for decisions to be made in such ways. I will be raising this issue further,” the British MP added.
Bolton South East MP Yasmeen Qureshi also pointed out that Pakistan is on the red list despite no concerns.
“I asked the government and tried to resolve the issue, but to no avail,” she said and added the government wants to punish Pakistan for its potential economic benefits, which is a clear discrimination towards Pakistan.
US should give Pakistan the importance it deserves: FM
DNA
ISLAMABAD: The United States should give Pakistan the importance it deserves, believes Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.
Though the US has sought help from Pakistan to halt the Taliban advance while US troops are pulling out of Afghanistan, US President Joe Biden has not spoken over the issue with Prime Minister Imran Khan so far.
But Qureshi doesn’t think Pakistan should worry over not receiving a phone call. If the US expresses disengagement with Pakistan, it puts them at a disadvantage too, Qureshi told a private news channel.
He said an impression was being given of tensions in Pakistan-US relations.
The foreign minister was confident that Pakistan and the US want the same things.
“America wants stability in Afghanistan, we want the same. The US is saying there is no military solution to Afghanistan, we are saying the same thing. They are saying a solution should be found through comprehensive talks, we are also saying the same thing,” Qureshi explained.
“Let the Taliban and Afghan rulers sit together and decide their future,” he said, adding that Pakistan is trying its best to persuade the Taliban.
He said that what Pakistan is doing is for its security and survival and for peace and stability.
Pakistan observes Youm-e-Istehsal
Saifullah
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan observed Youm-e-Istehsal, on Thursday to express solidarity with the oppressed Kashmiri people on completion of two years of India’s unilateral revocation of the special status and the subsequent military siege of Indian Illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir
One minute silence was observed across the country at 0900 hours and traffic came to standstill for one minute and sirens were also played. Radio Pakistan and television channels played Pakistan and AJK national anthems immediately after one minute silence. Posters and billboards highlighting the plight of Kashmiri people have been displayed at the main roads of Islamabad and other provincial capitals.
President Dr. Arif Alvi in his message on the Youm-e-Istehsal said Pakistan stands solidly by Kashmiris in their just struggle for the right to self-determination and would continue to highlight the Kashmir dispute at the international level. “Our ultimate objective remains the peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute as per relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiris people,” he said.
Prime Minister Imran Khan in his message on Youm-e-Istehsal said: “India’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019 and subsequent measures particularly pertaining to domicile rules and the land ownership laws are aimed at changing the demographic structure of IIOJ&K and converting the Kashmiris into a minority in their own land.”
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s abiding commitment to the Kashmir cause and said we will continue to extend all possible assistance to Kashmiris till the realisation of their inalienable right to self-determination and a just resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
He called upon the international community, including the United Nations, human rights organisations and the global media, to hold India accountable for its crimes against the Kashmiri people.
Chief of Army Staff, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, in a statement on the occasion of Youm-e-Istehsal said resolution of Kashmir dispute as per the UN resolutions and aspirations of Kashmiri people is imperative for enduring peace and stability in the region.
He said continuation of inhuman military siege, machinations to bring demographic changes and gross violations of human rights and international laws are perpetuating humanitarian and security crises in IIOJK that imperils regional security.
UK rejects Nawaz Sharif’s visa extension request
Nawaz’ six-month visit visa had expired, after which he had put in a request to grant him an extension
DNA
LONDON: Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s request for an extension in his visit visa has been turned down by British authorities, sources told Geo News on Thursday.
Nawaz’s six-month visit visa had expired, after which he had put in a request with the UK Home Office to grant him an extension on health grounds.
The immigration department, however, denied the request.
Nawaz now has two options: to appeal the decision with the department, and in the event it is turned down, he can approach British courts.
Sharif, the 71-year-old supremo of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz who was ousted from power in 2017 by the Supreme Court on corruption charges, is in London since November 2019, after the federal government gave him rare permission to get abroad for medical treatment.
The incumbent government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has been sought repatriation of the former three-time prime minister from the United Kingdom as he is convicted in Avenfield and Al-Azizia corruption cases.
Back in March this year, the Ministry of Interior refused to extend the passport of Sharif as he had been declared absconder by courts in Pakistan.
UK moves to ease travel curbs for several countries
The UK has also moved the UAE, Qatar, India, and Bahrain out of the red list to the amber list
Agencies
LONDON: The UK added Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Slovakia, Latvia, Romania, and Norway to its green travel list on Thursday.
People coming from countries on the list are not required to quarantine in the UK but do have to take a COVID-19 test before departure and two days after arrival.
The UK has also moved the UAE, Qatar, India, and Bahrain out of the red list to the amber list, meaning that people coming from these countries will not have to quarantine if their test results are negative and they have been fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved by the UK.
Fully vaccinated people and those under the age of 18 coming to the UK from France will also no longer need to quarantine.
Mexico and Georgia, along with the French overseas territories of Mayotte and La Reunion, have been added to the red list, making it necessary for travelers coming from there to quarantine in government-run facilities. All the changes will come into effect starting this coming Sunday.
Naval Chief awarded UAE’s highest military award
Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi is the first Naval Chief to receive this Medal
Staff Report
Islamabad: Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi has been conferred with the highest Military Medal of the United Arab Emirates, during an impressive award ceremony held at UAE Embassy in Islamabad.
The Medal was conferred to the Naval Chief by His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed forces in recognition of his outstanding professional services and efforts to enhance bilateral relations and cooperation between the two brotherly countries.
Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi is the first Naval Chief to receive this Medal.
Pakistan and UAE enjoy close and cordial relations in defense sector. Both the brotherly countries’ military leadership exchange visits regularly. In 2018, President Dr. Arif Alvi had conferred Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military) upon Rear Admiral (PILOT) Saeed Bin Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Nehyan Commander, UAE Naval Forces in a special Investiture ceremony held at Aiwan-e-Sadr, Islamabad.
Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi and senior officials were also present in the ceremony.
During the visit, Rear Admiral (PILOT) Saeed Bin Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Nehyan Commander, UAE Naval Forces also called on President Dr. Arif Alvi. Speaking on the occasion, the President said that Pakistan and UAE have longstanding strategic and close political relations. He added that both countries maintain similarities of views on all important regional and international issues.
