ֱ

Pakistan offers ‘all possible cooperation’ to Riyadh for promotion of cricket, construction of stadiums

Pakistan offers ‘all possible cooperation’ to Riyadh for promotion of cricket, construction of stadiums
The screengrab taken from a video released by Pakistan’s state press agency on December 18, 2024, shows Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Mohsin Naqvi, meeting Chairman of the ֱn Cricket Federation, Prince Saud bin Mishal Al Saud, in Riyadh, ֱ. (Screengrab/YouTube/@APPTVLIVE)
Short Url
Updated 18 December 2024

Pakistan offers ‘all possible cooperation’ to Riyadh for promotion of cricket, construction of stadiums

Pakistan offers ‘all possible cooperation’ to Riyadh for promotion of cricket, construction of stadiums
  • PCB chairman and interior minister Mohsin Naqvi is in Riyadh to discuss security cooperation, cricketing ties
  • Naqvi invites Saudi cricket federation chairman to Pakistan for ICC Champions Trophy being held in February next year

ISLAMABAD: Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has offered “all possible cooperation” to ֱ for the promotion of cricket and the construction of stadiums in the Middle Eastern nation, where the sport is growing in popularity, the PCB said in a statement on Wednesday. 

Naqvi, who is also the interior minister, has been on a visit to Riyadh since Sunday to discuss security cooperation and cricketing ties.

“Naqvi offered all possible cooperation in promotion of cricket and construction of stadiums,” the PCB said in a statement, as the PCB chairman met the head of the ֱ Cricket Federation, Prince Saud bin Mishal Al Saud, in Riyadh and discussed trainings for Saudi players in Pakistan.

“Naqvi said that a players exchange program can be started for cricket development. ֱ can send its emerging players to Pakistan and will provide full support in terms of cricket development and construction of stadiums.”

According to the statement, there are about 18,000 cricket players in ֱ, which has also won the Asian Cricket Council Challenge Cup. Naqvi also extended an invitation to Prince Saud to visit Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy which will be held in February and March next year. 

Last January, in a move to strengthen cricket ties between the two countries, then chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Najam Sethi, said his country was prepared to share its expertise in the sport with ֱ.


Pakistan to unveil 5G spectrum policy soon, IT minister says

Pakistan to unveil 5G spectrum policy soon, IT minister says
Updated 4 sec ago

Pakistan to unveil 5G spectrum policy soon, IT minister says

Pakistan to unveil 5G spectrum policy soon, IT minister says
  • Pakistan to auction over 600 MHz of spectrum to expand mobile services and introduce 5G
  • Government finalizing ‘Smartphones for All’ policy to boost digital access and affordability

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will soon announce its long-awaited 5G spectrum policy as part of efforts to accelerate digital access and connectivity across the country, the state media reported on Wednesday.

Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima told the 26th meeting of the South Asia Telecommunication Regulators Council in Islamabad that the country was planning to auction more than 600 MHz of spectrum.

“The government will soon unveil the 5G spectrum policy,” she said, according to Radio Pakistan, adding that the move would “not only improve current 3G and 4G services but also introduce 5G.”

The minister said a telecom infrastructure-sharing framework had been approved and new satellite communication regulations finalized, paving the way for satellite Internet services in Pakistan.

She said the government was committed to ensuring digital inclusion and was finalizing a “Smartphones for All” policy to make mobile devices more affordable and accessible.

Reflecting on Pakistan’s digital progress, Fatima said the country had reached 200 million mobile subscribers and 150 million mobile broadband users, with data traffic rising by 70 percent over the past five years.

She added that the telecom sector had recorded 17 percent year-on-year revenue growth.

E-commerce, she said, had reached nearly $7.7 billion and was expected to cross $10 billion next year.