DUBAI – The International Cricket Council announced the umpire and match referee appointments for the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2020, which will be staged in South Africa from 17 January to 9 February, said an official media release by the ICC.Experienced umpires Wayne Knights and Ravindra Wimalasiri will take charge of the opening match of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup after the officials for South Africa 2020 were confirmed.

ISLAMABAD – Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani Wednesday said that Pakistan and Oman enjoy historic bilateral relations and are twined together through cultural, religious and social similarities.“Both the countries have agreed to gear up the momentum for enhancing economic ties steered through Parliamentary diplomacy, the Chairman expressed these views in a meeting with parliamentary delegation of Oman led by Abudllah Bin Mohammed Bin Abdullah Al Salmi, Minister for Endowment and Religious Affairs of Oman.

RAWALPINDI, JAN 08 (DNA) – Yao Jing Ambassador of China to Pakistan and Seyyed Mohammad Ali Hosseini, Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan separately called on COAS at GHQ.

Regional security situation including US-Iran stand off was discussed during the meeting.=DNA

ISLAMABAD, JAN 08 (DNA) – President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan have expressed their profound grief and sorrow over the loss of so many precious lives in the tragic crash of Ukrainian International Airlines passenger plane in Tehran today.President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan said our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families and all those who have lost their loved ones.

LAHORE, JAN 08 (DNA) – The Lahore High Court (LHC) has fixed the plea of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice president Maryam Nawaz seeking removal of her name from the Exit Control List (ECL), for hearing on January 15.A two-member bench of the LHC led by Justice Tariq Abbasi will hear the case. The bench hearing the case, earlier, was dissolved due to vacations of the honorable judge Justice Ali Baqir Najfi.

ISLAMABAD, JAN 08 (DNA) – Matsuda Kuninori, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, has strongly condemned the bomb blast in Quetta on January 7th and has expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious human lives in the tragic incident.Ambassador MATSUDA has extended his heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the bereaved families and prayed for the early recovery of the injured.

BY ANSAR MAHMOOD BHATTI

ISLAMABAD, JAN 8 (DNA) –Ambassador of Nepal Sewa Lamsal Adhikari has said cooperation in tourism sector can surely strengthen and improve people to people contacts between Nepal and Pakistan adding Nepal was land of breathtaking beauty coupled with diverse natural and cultural heritage.

She expressed these views while speaking during the launching ceremony of Visit Nepal Year 2020. Dr. Nadeem Shafiq Secretary literary heritage was the chief guest.

The ambassador further said, Nepal is a tourist friendly country and it attaches great importance to tourism. It is one of the development pillars as well as tools to promote people to people relations and public diplomacy.

ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday strongly condemned the blast in Quetta and expressed his deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious human lives.According to a statement issued by the PM Media Office, the prime minister directed for the provision of best medical treatment to the injured and prayed for their early recovery.At least two people have been killed and several others wounded after a bomb targeted a security personnel vehicle in the southwestern city of Quetta.

ISLAMABAD, JAN 08 (DNA) – In view of recent developments and the prevailing security situation in the region, Pakistani nationals are advised to exercise maximum caution while planning a visit to Iraq at this point.

Those already in Iraq are advised to remain in close contact with the Embassy of Pakistan in Baghdad.