Pattaya Police Arrest Five Indian Nationals in Kidnap-Ransom Gang Targeting Fellow Tourists

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has taken strict notice of the participation of several former Pakistani cricketers in the Asian Legends League 2026 being held in Zambia, warning that players who take part in unapproved overseas events without obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) will face disciplinary action. According to the PCB, the tournament has not received official approval from the International Cricket Council (ICC). Reports also indicate that the Zambia Cricket Union has not formally sanctioned the event. Under ICC regulations, current and former players are required to obtain permission from their home cricket board before participating in overseas cricket competitions. The board emphasized that compliance with ICC rules is mandatory and that any violation could result in serious consequences. The PCB stated that individuals who participated in the unapproved league without prior approval would be subject to disciplinary measures in accordance with existing regulations. As part of the announced penalties, those found in violation may be denied an NOC for participation in any overseas cricket league for up to two years. In addition, they may become ineligible for assignments associated with the Pakistan Cricket Board and the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) during the same period. The restrictions could extend beyond playing opportunities and also apply to coaching, mentoring, commentary, administrative roles, and other official responsibilities offered by the PCB. The board said these measures are intended to protect the integrity of cricket administration and ensure compliance with international governance standards. The ICC has also reportedly advised its member cricket boards to take appropriate action against players who participate in unauthorized cricket events. Such guidance aims to maintain uniform enforcement of regulations governing international and domestic cricket activities. Reaffirming its commitment to global cricket regulations, the PCB urged all current and former Pakistani cricketers to obtain the necessary NOC before accepting invitations to participate in overseas tournaments. The board stressed that prior approval is essential regardless of the format or location of the competition. The PCB further stated that it will continue working closely with the ICC and other member boards to ensure consistent implementation of international cricket regulations. Officials believe that adherence to these rules is necessary to preserve the credibility of the sport and maintain professional standards across all levels of cricket. The latest warning serves as a reminder that participation in overseas leagues must follow established approval procedures. The PCB has encouraged players to verify the official status of tournaments and secure the required permissions before committing to any international cricket event to avoid disciplinary action.

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal has renewed his call for the creation of new provinces in Pakistan, arguing that the country’s existing administrative structure is no longer adequate to serve its rapidly growing population. Speaking at the Pakistan Pharma Healthcare Expo, Kamal said debates over provincial boundaries were often framed as matters of honour and pride, but questioned why the same concern was not shown when children lost their lives after falling into open sewerage drains. He argued that Pakistan’s four provinces cover vast territories and that smaller administrative units could improve governance and ensure that public funds reach local communities more effectively. Kamal said the federal government distributes Rs8,884 billion annually among the provinces, but questioned the lack of an effective mechanism to ensure that funds reach union councils and communities at the grassroots level. He noted that Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are larger in area than many countries, while Sindh and Balochistan also cover territories exceeding those of numerous states around the world. According to him, Pakistan’s population has grown dramatically since the country had only around 37 million people, yet the number of provinces has remained unchanged. The minister cited countries such as Sri Lanka, Iran and India as examples of states with more administrative units, arguing that the creation of additional provinces would not weaken Pakistan but could instead strengthen the federation. Kamal also linked administrative shortcomings to growing security challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, where security personnel continue to lose their lives. He said Pakistan needed fundamental reforms to address the causes behind instability and improve governance. Turning to the issue of public infrastructure, the minister questioned the political focus on provincial identity when basic safety measures such as covering open sewer lines remain neglected. He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif works long hours and has extensive experience in provincial administration, but added that the federal government alone could not solve every local governance problem. The priority, he said, should be to strengthen the system rather than rely on individual interventions for issues such as sewer covers. Kamal urged all political parties to sit together and find a constitutional solution to the country’s administrative and governance challenges, saying meaningful reforms were needed to ensure public resources translated into better services and safer communities.

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed authorities to intensify sanitation efforts across the province, ordering daily early-morning washing of major roads and improved cleanliness in housing societies, markets and residential areas. Chairing a review meeting on the Suthra Punjab programme, the chief minister instructed officials to ensure effective waste management in both cooperative and private housing societies. She also directed the introduction of uniform dustbins and garbage bags in commercial areas, along with fixed schedules for waste removal. Maryam ordered the daily washing and cleaning of main roads at 5am and stressed that sanitation efforts must extend beyond major thoroughfares to streets, neighbourhoods and vacant plots. Authorities were also told to ensure door-to-door garbage collection across Punjab. The chief minister directed that Suthra Punjab workers receive their salaries by the fifth of every month and called for monthly reports to verify timely payments. She also ordered the early clearance of contractors’ outstanding dues and warned of immediate action if delays in workers’ salaries occurred. Special attention was ordered for areas surrounding schools, colleges, universities and hospitals, as well as parks and green belts. Officials were directed to remove discarded bottles, juice boxes and other waste from these locations. Maryam further instructed authorities to improve sanitation around railway tracks in urban areas and ensure that the entry and exit points of cities are cleaned regularly. Deputy commissioners were asked to maintain close coordination with contractors and the managing directors of Water and Sanitation Authorities to monitor progress. The chief minister also called for uniform standards for field monitoring officers and directed that their motorcycles carry proper branding. Standard operating procedures are to be developed to evaluate sanitation performance at every level, from field workers to senior officers, with particular attention to cleanliness in fruit and vegetable markets. She directed that contractors violating sanitation standards should initially be given 24 hours to correct shortcomings before any financial penalty is imposed. “Imposing fines is not our objective; the focus should be on ensuring cleanliness,” she said, while calling for zero tolerance against persistent negligence. The chief minister also ordered regular cleaning of Suthra Punjab vehicles, waste containers and collection points. She praised sanitation efforts in Lahore, Khanewal, Okara, Attock, Kasur and Murree but directed teams in Faisalabad, Sialkot, Sheikhupura and other areas to improve their performance. Maryam Nawaz said the next review meeting would be held the following week to evaluate implementation of the directives and measure progress under the province-wide cleanliness campaign.