The Pakistan Cricket Board’s Cricket Committee on Tuesday recommended head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and bowling coach Waqar Younis’s retention but expressed dissatisfaction over the team’s performance against New Zealand in the recent series.

The coaches were under fire after the Kiwis thrashed Pakistan, with the Men In Green winning only one out of three T20Is, and losing all matches of the Test series.

Heading into today’s meeting, speculation was rife that Misbah and Waqar’s jobs could be on the line if committee members were to be unimpressed with their explanations, according to Geo Super.

PCB, in a statement after the meeting, said that the committee headed by former Test cricketer Saleem Yousuf, “expressed its dissatisfaction over the side’s performances” but “acknowledged the fact that the team had competed in the unprecedented and challenging COVID-19 circumstances”.

“The committee observed that due to the above-mentioned situation, a few experienced players were absent and that, in turn, contributed towards the overall below-par performances,” said the statement.

The committee also recommended that the PCB continue to support and back the team management, whilst suggesting that the next performance appraisal be conducted following the home series against South Africa.

“The PCB Cricket Committee unanimously agreed that the backroom staff needed to provide absolute clarity on their collective strategy and approach so that they could be evaluated and assessed against those objectives at the next meeting,” read the statement.

The committee urged for more “scientific and data-based” strategy to be adopted but largely gave the benefit of the pandemic to the team and its officials.

It scheduled another review after the South Africa series but warned that this time “there will be no points for second place”.

DNA

ISLAMABAD, JAN 12 – Justice (R) Javed Iqbal Chairman NAB chaired a meeting to review performance of NAB at NAB Headquarters. Mr. Hussain Asghar, Deputy Chairman NAB, Asghar Haider, Prosecutor General Accountability, Zahir Shah, Director General operations attended the meeting whereas all DGs of regional bureaus attended the meeting via video link. 

The meeting reviewed the overall performance of NAB Headquarters and all regional bureaus especially under trial cases in respected courts and decided that effective oversight as well as further improving the standard and quality of complaint verifications, inquiries and investigations so that references will be filed on the basis of solid evidence as per law.

Chairman NAB directed all regional bureaus to ensure that all complaint verifications, inquiries and investigations are being carried out on basis of solid evidence having  statements of accused persons, witnesses and other relevant documentary evidence so that corrupt elements should be brought to justice as per law.

He said that hard work, commitment, dedication, professionalism and experience always prove helpful in conduct of investigations. NAB strongly believes in imparting and enhancing the capacity building of its investigation officers as training is an ongoing process in order to learn about new techniques, technology, scientific methods to enable them to meet modern day requirements of investigation as per law.

The meeting decided that functioning of NAB’s forensic Science laboratory should be reviewed so that the standard and quality of inquiries and investigations should be improved accordingly. Chairman NAB directed to utilise all available resources for concluding the mega corruption white collar cases on scientific basis so that all complaint verifications, inquiries and investigations should be completed within already prescribed timeframe as per SOP by utilizing all available resources on merit in a transparent way.

Proper monitoring of the performance of NAB headquarters and all regional bureaus would be ensured on the directives of the chairman by ensuring persistent vigilance so that performance of regional bureaus will be further improved as per law. Chairman NAB directed all bureaus to ensure that the cases should be pursued in an effective way. More than 1230 references are under trial in different respected Accountability Courts of the country. NAB has recovered Rs. 714 billion rupees from corrupt elements directly and indirectly. NAB is making sincere efforts in eradication of corruption to make Pakistan corruption free.He said that NAB is a people friendly organization which always believes in respecting all the people visiting NAB and no laxity will be tolerated in this regard.

ISLAMABAD, JAN 12 (DNA) – Ustad Karim Khalili, Leader of the Hezb-e-Wahdat-e-Islami Afghanistan, called on Prime Minster Imran Khan today.

The exchange of views covered progress in the Afghan peace process and bilateral relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The Prime Minister conveyed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthen the bilateral relationship with Afghanistan, including trade and economic ties and people-to-people linkages.

The Prime Minister underscored his longstanding position that there was no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan and that a negotiated political settlement was the only way forward.

Noting that the Afghan people had suffered gravely due to prolonged conflict in the country, the Prime Minister stressed that after the Afghan people, Pakistan was most desirous of peace and stability in Afghanistan.

Reiterating Pakistan’s consistent support to the Afghan peace process, the Prime Minister underscored that the Intra-Afghan Negotiations process must be pursued with perseverance and patience for an inclusive and broad-based solution.

The Prime Minister recalled his recent interaction with Afghan leaders and underlined that Pakistan’s message to all sides was to work together for a peaceful solution. The Prime Minister particularly underscored the importance of reduction of violence leading to ceasefire.

The Prime Minister added that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan will open up new vistas of cooperation in trade and regional connectivity.

He also assured the Afghan delegation of Pakistan’s continued support for human resource development through scholarships and socio-economic development projects in Afghanistan.=DNA

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KARACHI, JAN 12 (DNA) – “Hameed Haroon, President and Sarmad Ali, Secretary General of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society have expressed profound grief on behalf of APNS Office Bearers and members of the Executive Committee over the sad demise of Malik Liaquat Hussain, Director Marketing, Daily Din Lahore.

The APNS Office Bearers have offered condolence to the bereaved family and have prayed that Almighty Allah rest the departed soul in eternal peace and give them courage and patience to bear the loss.=DNA

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ISLAMABAD, JAN 12 (DNA) – Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA), Aamir Ali Ahmed visited under construction block of Capital Hospital on Tuesday.

Speaking at the occasion Chairman CDA directed the concerned authorities to assure the timely completion of the project. He also directed them to construct an underground parking.

Member engineering briefed the Chairman at the occasion and said that the project was supposed to be completed in March of the current year, but due to coronavirus situation in previous year the project is expected to be completed little bit late than the said time. This additional block will have the capacity of 100 beds. Air conditioning and other facilities will also be available.

The departments of ICU and CCU will be established in this block. All OPDs and Diagnostic centers of the hospitals will be in the basement of 5 storey building. Besides this, 6 rooms will be allocated for consultants, 8 for medical officers, and 04 for diagnostic procedures.

Diagnostic services will include ECG, Echocardiography, and others. There will be 33 beds ward for females at the first floor. Second floor will be containing 16 beds ward, CCU, Angiography suit, VIP Cardiac room, nursing station, duty rooms, and store of medical equipment. There will be 18 beds officers medical wards at third floor, he added.

Speaking at the occasion, Chairman CDA directed for floor wise completion of the block soon and said that work should also be started on installation of air conditioning system, lifts, HVC system and others such installations.

The administration of the hospital should complete PC 1 regarding furnishing and equipment so that there would be no delay in work. Chairman CDA said at the occasion that he will himself inspect the construction work every week.=DNA

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BUREAU CHIEF

KARACHI: As many as 22 more patients of COVID-19 died overnight lifting the death toll to 3,730 and 1,064 new cases emerged when 12,566 tests were conducted.

This was stated by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah in a statement issued here on Tuesday. He added that 22 more patients of Coronavirus died overnight lifting the death toll to 3,730 that constituted 1.6 percent death rate.

The CM said that 12,566 samples were tested against which 1,064 cases were diagnosed constituting 8.5 percent detection rate. He added that so far 2,511,315 tests have been conducted which detected 228,949 cases, of them 91.4 percent or 209,239 patients have recovered, including 2,312.

Mr Shah said that currently 15,980 patients were under treatment, of them 15,061 were in home isolation, 12 at isolation centers and 907 at different hospitals.

He added that the condition of 820 patients was stated to be critical, including 79 shifted to ventilators.

According to the statement, out of 1,064 new patients, 845 have been detected from Karachi, including 314 from South, 289 East, 84 Central, 66 Korangi, 60 West and 32 Malir. Hyderabad has 37 new cases, Shaheed Benazirabad 18, Badin, Kambar and Khairpur 16 each, Shikarpur and Tando Muhammad Khan 10 each, Jacobabad and Umerkot seven each, Jamshoro, Larkana, Sujawal and Sukkur 6 each, Ghotki, Naushehroferoze and Tando Allahyar Five each, Thatta and Kashmore 2 each, Dadu and Sanghar One each.

The CM urged people of the province to follow SOPs.

Mohammad Karim Khalili, Chairman Hizb-e-Wahadat Islami Afghanistan & former Chairman Afghan High Peace Council called on General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) at GHQ

Naveed Miraj

ISLAMABAD:  Mohammad Karim Khalili, Chairman Hizb-e-Wahadat Islami Afghanistan & former Chairman Afghan High Peace Council called on General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) at GHQ,.

 Matters of mutual interest, peace and stability in the region, connectivity and current developments in Afghan Peace Process were discussed during the meeting. COAS said that “Peace in Afghanistan means Peace in Pakistan”, a stable and prosperous Afghanistan at peace with itself and its neighbours is in Pakistan’s national interest.

The Visiting dignitary appreciated the positive role played by Pakistan and the COAS vision on future of Pak-Afghan relations.

By Nazir Siyal

KARACHI: Sindh Baitulmal Chief and PTI leader Hunaid Lakhani under the banner “The Hussain Lakhani Trust” jointly by Hussain Lakhani Hospital organized one-day free medical camp for Jail inmates here at Landhi Malir Jail Karachi on Monday.Jail Superintendent Malik Muhammed Aslam briefed Sindh Bait-ul-Mal Chief about contagious diseases among the jail inmates and precautions during the covid-19 pandemic, he also told that strict SOPs are followed in the Landhi prison as well Jail manual strictly maintained under the guidelines.

PTI leader Hunaid Lakhani, visited one day free medical camp and the smooth operations organized by hospital staff and volunteers of The Hussain Lakhani Trust.Lakhani, inquired the health problems and prisoners’ suffering during pandemic situation of covid-19 and spread of common diseases in prison. He also lauded the role of medical staff and Jail superintendent about the carried work in professional manner.Meanwhile, PTI leader Sindh Baitiul Mal chief Hunaid Lakhani also visited the shelter homes particularly in Surjani Town and other parts.

He also reviewed the facilities on the occasion and praised Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan on his prompt action during the situation and facilitation to the poor’s in country.Lakhani also emphasized the institutions and philanthropists to come forward to provide basic and needy students to facilitate and education two of the young to make better human in society he said.

During the Landhi prison, senior healthcare professionals and consultants examined large number of patients were also provided with free of cost medicines, while on the visit of free medical camp PTI leader Lakhani along with civil society, notables expressed that serving humanity is gigantic cause and it should continue the welfare activities to facilitate people without any discrimination of caste, creed and color and religion.