Shahid Afridi was named interim chief selector and the flamboyant former Pakistan captain immediately beefed up the 16-member squad for the test series against the New Zealand by adding three more bowlers. “Things have changed in the past two, three days and there have been changes, but as a professional you have to face such things,” Babar said Sunday on the eve of the first test. “We could not play the last series the way we wanted and committed small mistakes that left us behind,” Babar said. Spinner Abrar Ahmed has already made his mark while claiming 17 wickets in two test matches against England, including figures of 11-234 on his test debut on the slow-turning wicket in Multan. Fast bowler Hasan Ali has also been recalled while uncapped fast bowler Shahnawaz Dahani and Mir Hamza, who played his only test match against Australia four years ago, were also drafted into the expanded 19-member squad.

Sindh Governor Mohammed Kamran Khan Tessori and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah have laid emphasis on following the principles of Father of the nation Quaid-i-Azam Muhammed Ali Jinnah for the development and prosperity of the country. CM Murad Ali Shah along with the Sindh governor paid a visit to the mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali to pay tribute to the father of the nation on his 146th birthday. Talking to the media at the mausoleum, CM Murad said that on Jinnah’s 146th birth anniversary we should reaffirm our commitment to steer the country out of crises by forging unity and discipline. Murad said that the nation needed unity to fight against the crisis such as financial and reemerging waves of terrorism. Murad Ali Shah said that on this day we must remember the sacrifices and struggles of the people of Kashmir for their just cause.

Nation stands resolutely with security forces to root out menace of terrorism: KairaAdviser to Prime Minister on Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Qamar Zaman Kaira says the whole nation stands resolutely with its security forces to root out the menace of terrorism. Addressing a news conference in Islamabad on Monday, he said the recent acts of terrorism in different parts of the country are condemnable but they can neither shake our resolve nor thwart the hard earned gains of peace. The Adviser lamented the lack of effective new policies and discontinuity of existing ones during PTI's tenure. He said difference of opinion is part of democracy but it should not reach the level of hatred or polarization in the society. Slamming PTI Chief Imran Khan's statement about the Foreign Minister's tours, Qamar Zaman Kaira said the visits to different countries are not personal rather they are part of state's policy of enhanced engagement with our friendly countries.

It was not a surprise for those who follow the resurgence of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in neighbouring Afghanistan. However, the attack in Islamabad should have been the wakeup call for all those who were taking the TTP threat lightly. It is a legitimate question since many in power circles celebrated the return of the Afghan Taliban hoping that this would end Pakistan’s security woes. But those sitting at the helm dismissed those fears and took the TTP threat lightly. While a major policy review may be underway, will those who miscalculated or took the TTP threat lightly after Afghan Taliban takeover be held accountable?

Share:In light of the upsurge in terrorist attacks, the country’s civil and military leadership is undertaking a review of its policy to bring the TTP’s rampage to a halt. Sources reveal that closed door discussions are ongoing and major decisions are expected in the next couple of weeks. Considering the deteriorating situation in KP, particularly in the tribal districts, a major military offensive could be a necessity given that the TTP has infiltrated those areas in larger numbers. In fact, there has been a 51 per cent increase in terrorist attacks since the Afghan Taliban takeover in Afghanistan. It is imperative that the civil and military leadership prioritises this matter over anything else as blood continues to be spilled every other day.

Share:LAHORE - Provincial Minister for Local Government and Community Development Mian Mahmood-ur-Rashid has said that Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was the real benefactor of the Pakistani na­tion because of his efforts we are a free and inde­pendent nation today. In his message on Quaid’s Day and Christmas here on Sunday, he added that seeing the plight of Muslims in India today, the value and respect of freedom has increased. He said that Quaid-i-Azam, Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal and all the workers of Pakistan Movement are our true heroes. The provincial minister said that the father of the nation had emphasized on giving equal rights to the minorities in Pakistan as well. “Today is also a day of joy for the Christian community and I congratulate the entire Christian community on the birth of holy prophet Hazrat Esa (AS),” he added.

A statement issued by the US Embassy in Islamabad said the US government staff prohibited from visiting the private hotel in the federal capital due to possible attack. The US government is aware of information that unidentified individuals are possibly plotting to attack Americans at the private hotel in Islamabad “sometime during the holidays”, the statement added. Effective immediately, the embassy in Islamabad prohibited all American staff from visiting the hotel, according to the advisory available on the US embassy website. Also read: JIT to investigate Islamabad suicide blast"Furthermore, as Islamabad has been placed on a Red Alert citing security concerns while banning all public gatherings, the embassy is urging all Mission personnel to refrain from non-essential, unofficial travel in Islamabad throughout the holiday season," the statement further said. The bombing shook Pakistan as terrorist managed to breach security of red zone where key government installations and diplomatic missions are located.

Nation should follow principles of Unity, Faith, Discipline to deal with challenges: Sindh Governor, CMGovernor Sindh Kamran Tissori and Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah have emphasized the need for following the golden principles of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah Unity, Faith and Discipline to deal with the challenges faced by the nation. Addressing the media outside Quaid-e-Azam's mausoleum in Karachi on Sundayy, Governor Sindh said that all of us will have to play our due role in progress and prosperity of the country and to fulfill the Quaid's wishes. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali said that the we are facing a severe economic crisis and terrorism in the country which can only be dealt with by forging unity in our ranks. He assured the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir that the government and the people of Pakistan stand with them.

Share:President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in their separate messages in connection with birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam, have urged the nation to follow the guiding principles of the father of the nation to ensure progress and prosperity of the country. They expressed gratitude to Quaid-e-Azam for carving out a separate homeland for Muslims of the sub-continent where they are free to realize their dreams. The President in his message renewed Pakistan's pledge to continue its moral, diplomatic and political support to Kashmiris of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir in realizing their dream of self-determination in line with the UN Security Council resolutions. The Prime Minister in his message said the best way to pay tribute to Quaid-e-Azam is to make Pakistan an Islamic welfare state. He stressed the need to put an end to internal differences and work tirelessly for progress of the country.

Yes, Pakistan has a separate foreign policy. A country's ability to recruit new partners is restricted and undermined by a reliant foreign strategy. A weak state's foreign policy inevitably serves the needs of others. If the country's domestic problems persist, its reliant foreign strategy will also keep it weak, making it an unattractive partner and investment destination. However, a robust Pakistan will be better equipped to pursue "an autonomous foreign policy," engage the world more, and increase its overall strength.

ISLAMABAD: The nation celebrated the 146th birthday anniversary of the founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, on December 25 (Sunday) across the country showing great zeal and enthusiasm. Special events were arranged to highlight and promote the vision and messages of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, particularly with regard to rule of law, the supremacy of the constitution, and the upholding of democracy. A special ceremony was arranged by the Pakistan Academy of Letters on December 22 (Thursday) to mark the 146th birth anniversary of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Muhammad Ali Jinnah was a lawyer and politician who served as leader of the All-India Muslim League from 1913 until Pakistan’s independence on August 14, 1947, and then as Pakistan’s first governor-general until his death on September 11, 1948. The new generation should make Quaid-e-Azam their role model and follow his principles.

ISLAMABAD, DEC 25 (DNA) — President Dr Arif Alvi urged the nation to reiterate its commitment to cherish and uphold the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah for Pakistan and mobilise resources to tackle the grave issues to move on the path of political stability and economic prosperity. “Let us reiterate our pledge to give equal rights to all citizens in pursuance of Quaid’s advice: You are free; you are free to go to your temples. You are free to go to your mosques or to any other places of worship in this State of Pakistan. It is a crime against humanity that our women are shut up within the four walls of the houses as prisoners. There is no sanction anywhere for the deplorable condition in which our women have to live.

Stay up to date on COVID-19Get Breaking NewsSign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox.

Messi was born in 1987, a year after what can only be described as Diego Armando Maradona’s World Cup. Messi faced his first World Cup heartache as a teenager in 2006, when Argentina were knocked out by Germany on penalties in the quarter-finals. Messi would take back his retirement in time to drag Argentina to the 2018 World Cup. The sun would rise again tomorrow but it would rise to find Messi’s World Cup dream forever shattered. Di María had won the U20 World Cup alongside Messi in 2005 and here they both were, 17 long years later, scoring in the World Cup final and lifting the real thing together.

ISLAMABAD – President Dr Arif Alvi, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the occasion of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s 146th birth anniversary, urged the nation to follow the guiding principles of Father of Nation. The top civil leaders shared separate messages in connection with the birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam. In his message, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the best way to pay tribute to Quaid-e-Azam is to make Pakistan an Islamic welfare state. Quaid-e-Azam DayPakistanis are celebrating 146th birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, with traditional zeal and fervour today. The government has made elaborate security arrangements for Christmas and the birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Muhammad Ali Jinnah.