PIA Hajj flight operations from May 21

ISLAMABAD staff report

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced the commencement of its flight operations for Hajj from May 21 until August 2. According to a statement issued by the flag carrier, it will transport over 38,000 intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia during this operation. Hajj season is expected to begin on June 26 in 2023.

The government of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) coalition has introduced incentives for pilgrims willing to pay their dues in US dollars, in an effort to bolster foreign reserves, which have been dwindling rapidly. A 25 percent special quota has also been allocated for those who choose to deposit the amount in the greenback, and those who pay the application fees and other charges in the American currency will receive a discount.

The Hajj Policy 2023 allows pilgrims to choose the currency they wish to pay in, and those paying in dollars will be exempt from balloting.

COVID RESTRICTIONS EASED: Saudi Arabia has removed Covid-19 restrictions for the forthcoming season and will host pre-pandemic numbers of pilgrims, the kingdom’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced in January.

In 2019, the last year before the pandemic struck, some 2.6 million people performed the Hajj. The kingdom allowed only limited numbers from its residents in 2020 and 2021 before it welcomed back one million foreign pilgrims in 2022.

The ministry said the kingdom will impose no restrictions, including age limits, for this season.

Access was restricted in 2022 to pilgrims aged 18 to 65 who have been fully vaccinated or immunised against the coronavirus and did not suffer from chronic diseases.

NUST inks accords with China to boost agriculture productivity

ISLAMABAD staff report wind and generating grey clouds seen from kilometres away, blurring the visibility in the region surrounded by mountains.

“200 to 250 tons of debris is removed here daily, we are irrigating so that it will not disturb the environment and not create dust,” said Eren Genc, of the forestry directorate in the eastern Sivas province. He said: “We didn’t spot any bodies but yesterday there was a strong smell,” directing a hose at the concrete slabs. “I think it will be done here in 10 days.”

Operators sometimes come across precious objects while working to remove the rubble.

Levent Topal, from the waterworks authority in the Black Sea region, said his team spotted a safe deposit box in the rubble full of dollars, euros, gold and documents.

“We never touch them, we deliver it to the police who find the owner,” he said. A 54-year-old man took a big risk and climbed to the seventh floor of his building to retrieve items — despite the danger and the more than 11,000 aftershocks that followed the earthquake.

FG Polo clinches coveted 2nd President Polo Cup 2023

LAHORE staff report

FG Polo clinched the coveted trophy of the 2nd President of Pakistan Polo Cup 2023 sponsored by Takmeel Square after edging past BN Polo by 9½-9 in the main final here at the Jinnah Polo Fields. The main final of five rounds remained very enthralling and interesting. Raul Laplacette was the hero of the final as he amused the spectators with his outstanding mallet and polo pony skills and techniques. He contributed with superb six goals while his teammates Ramiro Zavaleta, Saqib Khan Khakwani and Mian Abbas Mukhtar converted one goal apiece. For BN Polo, Hamza Mawaz Khan fired in four goals while Tito Ruiz Guinazu contributed with a hat-trick and Baber Naseem with a brace. The main final saw both the teams scoring one goal each in the first chukker to end it at 1-1. FG Polo started the second chukker with a conversion of 30yard penalty to take a 2-1 lead but BN Polo bounced back well by thrashing in two back-to-back goals to earn a slight 3-2 lead. FG Polo then dominated the third chukker by cracking a classic quartet against one goal by BN Polo to gain a healthy 6-4 lead.

The highly-charged fourth chukker saw both the sides playing out their hearts and scoring one goal after another but BN Polo played better polo and smashed in five goals against three goals by FG Polo to draw the score at 9-9. It was a half goal handicap advantage that helped FG Polo emerge as winners of the prestigious tournament and clinch the coveted trophy, handed over to them by President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi. Chris Hyde and John Fisher officiated the match as field umpires.

Earlier, Master Paints defeated Remounts by 9½-7 to win the subsidiary final. Manuel Crispo emerged as star of the day for Master Paints, which had a half goal handicap advantage, as he smashed in superb five goals while Sufi Muhammad Haroon banged in a brace and Agha Musa Ali Khan and Pelagio Balazaldi struck one goal each. For Remounts, Manuel Sundblad hammered five goals while Ahmad Zubair Butt and Jota Chavavanne converted one goal each.

President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi grace the final as chief guest and witnessed and enjoyed the enthralling and entertaining final. Jinnah Polo Fields Patron, President, Secretary as well as Takmeel Square CEO Dr. Kamran Fazal, and people from different walks of life were present on the occasion. At the closing ceremony, President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi distributed prizes among the winners and top performers. Man of the match trophy was awarded to Raul Laplacette while the best mare of the match trophy was awarded to Mian Abbas Mukhtar’s polo pony Funa.

The National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), with coordination of China Study Center, signed three documents of understanding with relevant parties in China to boost agriculture productivity in Pakistan. NUST officials say the Pakistan-China Agriculture Project is a significant initiative and would serve as a model for other countries in the region to emulate and reinforce the belief that cooperation and partnership could lead to significant achievements and benefits for all.

According to Gwadar Pro, they highlighted that the accords were inked in the field of agriculture with Weifang Engineering Vocational College, Shandong, China, the Government of Qingzhou, Shandong, China and Weifang National Agricultural Open Development Comprehensive Pilot Zone, Shandong, China in a ceremony held here.

PTI MNA likely to join PPP

ISLAMABAD staff report

A Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Member of the National Assembly (MNA) is expected to join Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) as he held a meeting with the PPP leadership. Media reports said that PTI MNA Dr Haider Ali Khan from PK-86 Swat contacted and met PPP leadership in Islamabad the other day and he is expected to make the announcement about joining the PPP soon. Dr Haider Ali Khan had joined PTI after parting ways with the Awami National Party (ANP) in 2014 and had also been a Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) from the same constituency.

Longest cycling race held in Karachi

KARACHI staff report

The longest cycling race was organized in Karachi on Sunday under the aegis of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation. The 35-kilometer long race was started from Mazar-e-Quaid. Almost 95 participants took part in the race who reached at Governor House through Shahrae Quaideen, (Stargate Shahrah-e-Faisal).

Governor Sindh Kamran Khan Tessori and Karachi Administrator Dr Saif-ur-Rehman also attended the event and participated in the race.

The governor lauded the holding of Karachi games after a hiatus of 15 years and said that this had reminded him of his childhood years when he used to ride bicycle. International cyclist Naeem Ahmed won the first position in cycling race. Zohaib Baloch got second position, Zohaib Ahmed clinched third position and Azan Baloch won the forth position in race. Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori also distributed prizes to the winning cyclists.

KARAChI SNOOKER TOuRNAmENT: The Snooker tournament got off to a flying start at Legends Snooker Club, located in the area of Gulistan-e-Johar Karachi, reported 24NewsHD channel. The MQM leader Farooq Sattar inaugurated the event and welcomed the Karachi events.

Court bars controversial Lahore bishop from using office, spending funds

LAHORE staff report

A civil court has restrained Reverend Nadeem Kamran from exercising authority as the Bishop of Lahore Diocese of the Church of Pakistan after a priest challenged the former’s “illegal” election to the office. The Church of Pakistan is facing a crisis since Jan 18, following the controversial election of Rev Kamran as the 10th diocesan bishop. On March 3, Lahore Civil Judge Ayaz Mahmood admitted a petition filed by Rev Samuel Barkat, the priest in-charge of Saint John’s Church of the Lahore Diocese, and barred Rev Kamran from using the bishop’s office and spending church funds. “All constitutional provisions related to election of a bishop were violated. Only a handful of people knew the actual purpose of the diocesan executive meeting held on Jan 18, while the other participants only found out about the election after they were locked in the room and forced to vote for Rev Nadeem Kamran,” said Rev Barkat. The priest said the election and subsequent consecration of Rev Nadeem as bishop by three retired bishops –Alexander John Malik, Samuel Robert Azariah and Irfan Jameel – had pushed the diocese into chaos and put the CoP unity at risk.

Islamabad United thrashes Quetta

Gladiators to qualify for PSL 8 playoffs

RAWALPINDI staff report

Islamabad United sealed a sensational final over-win against Quetta Gladiators to confirm their spot in the playoffs of the Pakistan Super League season 8.

Najibullah Zadran and Mohammad Nawaz scored valiant fifties before Umar Akmal made a quickfire 43 from just 14 balls to take Quetta Gladiators to a respectable target despite early setbacks against Islamabad United on Sunday. United pacers wreaked havoc early on, sinking Gladiators to 17/4 inside the powerplay before Nawaz and Zadran led the fightback with an astounding 104-run partnership and helped their side reach 179/6 in the 20 overs.

Zadran made 59 from 34 balls including five fours and three maximums while Nawaz scored 52 off 44 laced with six scintillating boundaries. The stellar partnership between the two sailed their side to 121/4 in 16 overs before Fazalhaq Farooqi found the breakthrough. Farooqi removed Nawaz in the 17th over and had an impressive outing with the ball overall as he dismissed the two openers, Will Smeed (0) and Yasir Khan (5), in his first spell. Akmal, however, justified his return to the playing XI as he smashed five maximums and two four during his brief stay at the crease and minted out 21 runs in the final over to finish the proceedings in style for Gladiators. For United, it was a mixed performance from the bowlers with spinners conceding runs at an economy above 10 and remaining wicketless while fast bowlers except Hassan Ali claimed scalps.