babar azam explains
| |

Babar Azam explains Pakistan’s defeat against We…

ByJustpaste.in

Pakistan captain Babar Azam admitted his side’s batting collapse was the decisive factor in their 90‑run defeat to West Indies in the opening Test at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. Chasing 211, Pakistan were bowled out for just 120, handing the hosts a 1‑0 lead in the two‑match series.

Speaking after the match, Azam said Pakistan had shown fight over the first three days but failed to deliver with the bat when it mattered. “As a batting unit, we weren’t up to the mark. We kept losing wickets in quick succession, and our batting let us down,” he reflected.

He dismissed suggestions that the pitch was to blame, noting that while the surface offered movement with the new ball, it remained playable. “West Indies bowled very well and used the conditions brilliantly. By the fourth day, the ball was keeping low and bouncing unevenly. We weren’t able to build partnerships, and that’s why we lost,” he explained.

Azam highlighted the absence of opener Shan Masood, who is sidelined with a fractured finger, as a setback but stressed that other batters must take responsibility. “Yes, Shan’s injury affected us, but when you’re facing the new ball you have to survive the first 20 overs and build partnerships. We couldn’t do that,” he said.

Despite the loss, Azam remained optimistic about Pakistan’s chances in the second Test. “We’ll sit together and discuss these things. While the result didn’t go our way, we can certainly address our mistakes. We’ll do our best to correct them and ensure we improve going forward,” he added.

Similar Posts

  • |

    EU to end automatic GSP+ extension from 2027, Pakistan told to submit fresh action plan

    ByJustpaste.in

    ISLAMABAD: The European Union (EU) is set to introduce a revised mechanism for extending its Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) trade facility from January 2027, under which beneficiary countries will no longer receive an automatic extension. The Commerce Ministry informed the National Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce on Wednesday that Pakistan would have to formally seek continuation of the GSP+ facility and submit an action plan covering its commitments under 32 United Nations conventions. Commerce Secretary Jawad Paul briefed the committee that the new GSP+ framework would come into force in January 2027, followed by a two-year transition period. During this period, countries benefiting from the scheme will be required to prepare and submit their respective plans, which will subsequently be assessed by the European Union. According to the secretary, the EU’s assessment of Pakistan contains both positive observations and areas of concern. Among the issues highlighted by the European bloc is the human rights situation in Pakistan, along with security and climate-related challenges. The briefing was given during a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce chaired by Jawad Hanif. Members including Asad Alam Khan Niazi, Khurshid Ahmed Junejo, Shaista Pervaiz, Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, Tahira Aurangzeb, Mir Amir Magsi, Dr Mirza Ikhtiar Baig and Kiran Haider attended the meeting. EU concerns discussed The committee asked the Commerce Ministry to explain the concerns raised by the European Union in its latest assessment of Pakistan and their possible implications for the country’s trade interests. Jawad Paul said the EU report had acknowledged the difficult circumstances Pakistan was facing, particularly in terms of security challenges, economic pressures and climate-related disasters, including floods. These factors, he said, had affected the country’s capacity to fully implement various commitments. He urged members of parliament to present Pakistan’s perspective during their engagements with European Parliamentarians and other EU representatives. The secretary maintained that Pakistan’s circumstances should be taken into account while evaluating the country’s performance under the GSP+ framework. He said the government needed to undertake fundamental measures to address the challenges identified by the EU while also ensuring that Pakistan’s position was effectively communicated to European stakeholders. The committee also expressed concern over the repeated absence of the Commerce Minister from its meetings and conveyed its displeasure over the matter. Tariff reforms aimed at boosting exports The meeting also reviewed the government’s tariff reforms and their impact on industrial competitiveness and exports. Committee members questioned whether exporters would be required to commit to specific export targets in return for government support. The committee chairman clarified that the measures being introduced should not be viewed simply as incentives for exporters, arguing that reductions in duties and taxes were intended to lower production costs and improve Pakistan’s competitiveness in international markets. Officials from the Commerce Ministry said the government had been pursuing a policy of reducing tariff protection and lowering the cost of imported raw materials. The objective, they said, was to enable domestic industries to become more competitive and increase their presence in international markets. As part of the reforms, tariffs on around 2,000 tariff lines were reduced last year to make raw materials and other industrial inputs available at lower prices. The secretary said tariff reforms were being implemented under the National Tariff Policy and that the government had provided an estimated Rs160 billion benefit to industry and exporters during the previous year. For fiscal year 2026-27, another Rs120 billion has been earmarked under the relevant support measures. According to the Commerce Ministry, the previous Rs120 billion package was associated with a $1.27 billion increase in exports during 2025-26. Jawad Paul acknowledged that the tariff changes could initially result in higher imports as industries gained access to cheaper inputs and machinery. However, he argued that the trade imbalance could gradually improve as increased industrial production translated into stronger exports. Committee seeks review of Pakistan-China trade agreement The standing committee also raised concerns over Pakistan’s trade deficit with China and identified the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (CPFTA) as an issue requiring closer examination. Members asked the Commerce Ministry to provide a detailed presentation on the agreement’s impact on Pakistan’s exports, imports and overall trade balance. The committee also sought an update on the latest trade discussions between Pakistan and the United States. The Commerce Secretary assured members that a detailed briefing on the matter would be provided in an in-camera session. Export Development Fund restructuring reviewed The committee separately examined the restructuring of the Export Development Fund (EDF). Officials told the meeting that the management and decision-making structure of the fund had been moved towards greater private-sector participation, with leading exporters being given a more significant role in determining spending priorities. The committee welcomed the shift towards projects that have a direct and measurable connection with export growth rather than conventional infrastructure-focused initiatives. Members also reviewed the allocation of 40% of the Export Finance Scheme (EFS) portfolio for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). They stressed that smaller businesses should have fair and sufficient access to export financing so that they can participate more effectively in international trade. Pakistan Reinsurance Company performance discussed The committee also reviewed the performance and investment strategy of Pakistan Reinsurance Company Limited (PRCL). Members were informed that the company retained nearly 30% of its risk domestically, while approximately 70% was placed in international reinsurance markets, including London, Dubai and Singapore. The committee chairman called for careful management of the company’s financial resources and urged officials to explore opportunities to improve returns without compromising risk-management standards. Proposed amendments for Karachi Chamber examined The committee considered the Trade Organizations (Third Amendment) Bill, 2026, a Private Member’s Bill seeking amendments to the Trade Organizations Act in relation to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI). During the discussion, members examined the special status of KCCI and proposed exemptions from certain district-related provisions. The chairman directed that the proposed amendments be drafted in appropriate legal language in consultation with the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Law and Justice

  • | |

    Brilliant comeback by Pakistan as West Indies fold…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Pakistan produced an impressive bowling performance on the second day of the opening Test in Tarouba, dismissing West Indies for 311 in their first innings after the hosts had looked firmly in control at the end of Day 1. West Indies resumed play on 194 for 3, but Pakistan’s pace attack maintained disciplined lines and lengths to trigger a dramatic collapse. The home side managed to add only 117 more runs before losing their remaining seven wickets. Shai Hope played the leading role for West Indies with a well-crafted 92, narrowly missing out on a century. Kevlon Hodge also made an important contribution with 84 runs. Shamar Joseph scored 23, while Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Amir Jangoo added 21 runs each. Justin Greaves made 15, Brandon King contributed 12, and Roston Chase scored 10. Mohammad Ali was the standout performer for Pakistan, finishing with impressive figures of 4 wickets for 50 runs. Mohammad Abbas provided excellent support by claiming three wickets, while Khurram Shahzad picked up two. Aamir Jamal also chipped in with one wicket to complete the innings. West Indies had ended the opening day in a strong position at 194 for 3, but Pakistan’s bowlers turned the match around with a disciplined and determined display on the second morning. Their efforts prevented the hosts from posting a significantly bigger total and handed Pakistan valuable momentum heading into their first innings

  • |

    Turkish firm to begin offshore drilling in Pakista…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik has said Turkish Petroleum will soon begin offshore drilling in Pakistan’s territorial waters, a move he described as a potential boost for foreign investment in the country’s energy sector. Speaking at a press conference in Lahore on Sunday, Malik said Pakistan currently imports nearly 90% of its energy needs. Domestic oil production stands at around 70,000 barrels per day, while the country’s daily demand is close to 500,000 barrels. The minister stressed the need to speed up oil and gas exploration within the country to reduce dependence on costly energy imports. Malik said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir had tasked an international company with developing a comprehensive roadmap for Pakistan’s energy sector. The plan is expected to reach the national leadership in the coming months. He also said the government had stopped the flow of circular debt and was working to settle outstanding liabilities accumulated under previous governments. The minister announced that LPG tenders would open on Monday and said the government had also made arrangements to issue new gas connections to consumers. Malik said Pakistan’s next priority after recent strategic and diplomatic achievements was sustainable economic growth. He described the Makkah defence agreement as a source of national pride and said Pakistan had strengthened its position as a regional security provider. He added that cooperation among Saudi Arabia’s economic strength, Turkiye’s technological expertise and Pakistan’s defence capabilities could help promote regional stability. Discussing global energy pressures, Malik said the Iran-US conflict had created major challenges for international energy markets and pushed crude oil and petroleum product prices to unprecedented levels. Despite the pressure, he said the government maintained uninterrupted fuel supplies across the country and took steps to shield consumers from the full impact of higher international prices. Malik reiterated that the government would continue efforts to provide maximum relief to the public while working with limited financial resources.

  • Body of Last Thai Hostage Held by Hamas Returned to Israel

    ByJustpaste.in

    BNGKOK – The remains of the last Thai national held hostage by Hamas in the Gaza Strip were handed over to Israeli authorities yesterday through the mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The Thai Foreign Ministry confirmed the return, marking a somber conclusion to the hostage crisis for Thailand following the […]

  • | |

    Pakistan’s IT exports hit record $4.6 billio…

    ByJustpaste.in

    KARACHI: Pakistan’s information technology (IT) sector achieved a historic milestone in the fiscal year 2025-26, with IT and IT-enabled services (ITeS) exports reaching a record $4.6 billion, marking an impressive 21 percent increase from the previous year’s $3.81 billion. Although the sector narrowly missed the government’s $5 billion export target, the achievement reinforces Pakistan’s position as one of the country’s fastest-growing export industries and strengthens its long-term goal of reaching $10 billion in IT exports by FY2028-29. Industry experts believe the strong performance reflects the steady expansion of Pakistan’s digital economy, driven by a growing pool of skilled professionals, rising demand for remote services, improved internet infrastructure and favourable tax incentives. However, they also caution that the sector must overcome structural challenges and shift towards innovation-led growth to sustain momentum. Pakistan is home to more than 600,000 IT professionals and freelancers, alongside tens of thousands of registered software and IT-enabled services companies operating from major technology hubs in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. Secondary cities such as Faisalabad, Sialkot and Sukkur are also emerging as important contributors to the country’s digital workforce. Software development, business process outsourcing (BPO), enterprise technology services, call centres and freelancing remain the backbone of Pakistan’s IT exports. Meanwhile, demand for advanced services including artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, cloud computing, automation and digital consulting is expanding rapidly as global businesses seek specialised technology solutions. The United States continues to be Pakistan’s largest export destination for IT services, followed by the United Kingdom, the Gulf region, Europe, Canada and several Asian markets. Experts say significant opportunities remain untapped in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Africa and Central Asia, particularly in high-value technology sectors. Industry leaders stress that Pakistan must diversify both its export markets and service offerings. They argue that relying mainly on traditional software development and low-cost outsourcing will limit future growth, while greater investment in AI-powered solutions, enterprise software, cybersecurity and digital transformation services can significantly increase export earnings. Freelancers have also emerged as a major force in Pakistan’s digital economy, contributing an estimated $1.1 billion, or roughly a quarter of total IT exports, during FY2025-26. Online platforms have enabled thousands of professionals to access global clients, creating new employment opportunities and boosting foreign exchange inflows. Beyond export revenues, the sector continues to generate employment, with thousands of technical positions available across the country. The expansion of remote work has also increased opportunities for women and professionals living outside major urban centres. Experts believe the next phase of growth depends on moving beyond providing outsourced services to creating globally competitive technology products and intellectual property. They argue that Pakistan must position itself as a producer of innovation rather than simply a destination for low-cost software development. The country’s AI ambitions are also gaining momentum. Under the National AI Policy 2025, Pakistan plans to establish AI centres of excellence, launch dedicated funding programmes, expand public-sector AI adoption and train around one million people in AI-related skills by 2030. New AI hubs are also being developed to support startups and accelerate innovation. International partnerships are expected to play a key role in this transformation. Pakistan has strengthened technology cooperation with China through joint AI and IT initiatives and recently became a founding member of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO). At the same time, interest from the United States has grown, with American investors pledging more than $20 million for Pakistan’s technology sector during a recent investment conference. Connectivity has also improved through expanded submarine cable capacity, cross-border fibre links and stronger cloud infrastructure, making it easier for local companies to deliver digital services worldwide. Despite the progress, industry stakeholders warn that policy uncertainty, foreign exchange restrictions, internet disruptions, energy costs, weak intellectual property protection and limited access to global payment systems continue to hinder faster growth. They believe addressing these challenges while promoting innovation and AI-driven technologies will be essential if Pakistan hopes to transform its record-breaking IT industry into a global technology powerhouse.

  • | | |

    Police officer martyred in gun attack near Jamali …

    ByJustpaste.in

    A police officer was martyred after unidentified gunmen opened fire on two policemen near Jamali Bridge on Karachi’s Super Highway on Monday. The attack has prompted senior police officials and the Sindh government to order an immediate investigation and intensify efforts to apprehend those responsible. According to police, the two officers were deployed on duty near Jamali Bridge when unidentified assailants riding a motorcycle approached and opened indiscriminate fire. Constable Zaman, who was serving at Site-A Police Station, sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene. His fellow officer survived the attack without injury. Authorities have not yet confirmed the motive behind the shooting, and an investigation is underway to determine whether the incident was a targeted attack or linked to other criminal activity. Police have begun collecting evidence from the crime scene and reviewing available information to identify the suspects. Following the incident, Inspector General (IG) Sindh Javed Alam Odho took immediate notice of the attack and directed the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) East to submit a detailed report without delay. The IG instructed law enforcement officials to ensure that those involved in the attack are arrested and brought to justice as quickly as possible. The police chief also ordered investigators to utilize all available resources, including modern technology, intelligence networks, and investigative tools, to trace and capture the suspects. He further directed police units to strengthen patrolling, checkpoint operations, and snap checking across the area while maintaining strict surveillance of suspicious individuals and vehicles. Separately, Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar also sought an immediate report from the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) East regarding the incident. He emphasized that every available resource should be employed to identify and arrest the attackers and ensure they face the full force of the law. The home minister instructed police to make effective use of intelligence information, forensic techniques, and modern investigative methods during the operation. He also called for enhanced police patrols, tighter security measures, and increased monitoring of suspicious activity to prevent similar incidents. Paying tribute to the fallen officer, Lanjar said the sacrifice of police personnel would not be forgotten and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to pursuing those responsible. The attack highlights the continued security challenges faced by law enforcement officers in Karachi, where police personnel remain on the frontline against crime and violence. Investigations into the shooting are ongoing, and authorities have yet to announce any arrests.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *