Pakistan Financial News

Mitchell Santner on Thursday acknowledged India's familiarity with the slow pitch here at the DICS, but said his side is ready for a «scrap» in the Champions Trophy final. The Kiwis arrived here on Thursday evening ahead of the ICC showpiece's title clash against India on March 9. «They've played all their games here in Dubai and know that surface. Obviously, the surface will dictate a little bit of how we want to operate. It might be a little bit slower than what we got in Lahore. It might be more of a scrap, but we're down to scrap,» Santner said after touching base in the city. However, Santner said New Zealand can take some solace from their experience of playing against India during the group stage.

Kashmir dispute would be solved after the «return of the stolen part of Kashmir which is under illegal Pakistani occupation,» External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said. Jaishankar was speaking at a session at the Chatham House think tank in London on Wednesday, prompting Pakistan on Thursday to reject as «baseless» his remarks regarding Kashmir, while making counter demands to address the issue. Responding to an audience question on «solving» issues in Kashmir, Jaishankar stated, «On Kashmir, actually we have done, I think, a good job solving most of it.» «Removing Article 370 was step number one, restoring growth and economic activity and social justice in Kashmir was step number two, and holding elections with a very high turnout was step number three.

Babbar Khalsa International with «links» to Pakistan's ISI, who had planned a major terror attack during the Maha Kumbh, was arrested from Uttar Pradesh's Kaushambi district early Thursday, police said. The terrorist, identified as Lajar Masih, was nabbed in a joint operation by Uttar Pradesh STF and Punjab Police around 3:20 am. Addressing a press conference here, Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Prashant Kumar said Masih had planned a major terrorist attack during the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. «However, due to intensive security checks at the religious gathering, he failed to execute his plan,» he said.

A 21-member Bangladeshi delegation, including politicians, student leaders, and scholars, recently toured China (Feb 25–Mar 6) at Beijing’s invitation, Global Times reported. The group was reportedly wowed by China’s tech and infrastructure, and many now see the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as key to Bangladesh’s economic future. They visited top Chinese firms like BYD and LONGi, soaking in China’s modernization drive. It should be noted that China agreed in principle to extend Bangladesh’s loan repayment period and is reviewing a request to lower interest rates, Dhaka Tribune reported. Bangladesh urged China to reduce interest rates from 2-3% to 1%, waive off the commitment fee, and extend loan repayment terms from 20 to 30 years for Preferential Buyer’s Credit (PBC) and Government Concessional Loans (GCL).

trade and commercial ties with India has urged both countries to focus on normalising trade and business relationship between them for the welfare of the people of both sides. In a letter to the Pakistan-India Joint Business Forum (PIJBF) Wednesday, the Pak-India Business Council chairman Noor Muhammad Kasuri asked it to play its due role in creating circumstances where the two countries may save approximately USD 10 billion in the fields of energy sector, petroleum products, raw material for pharmaceutical industry, consumers' goods, cotton items and infrastructure development. He said the businessmen of both countries suffered due to passive ties for the last six years. «Strenuous efforts should be made to create a conducive atmosphere where businessmen of both the countries may avail trade and business opportunities present in their respective countries,» he said.

«It's totally unfair,» said Moeed Ali Khan, a private car driver outside Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium to watch the second semi-final between South Africa and New Zealand. «I am disgusted, neither our team is in the final nor is the final in Pakistan.»

Himanta Biswa Sarma has hinted that the ongoing probe into alleged links between a Pakistan-based official and “certain individuals” in India may see involvement of Interpol. After Assam Police formed an SIT to investigate a case registered with Assam CID against a Pakistani national Ali Taqueer Sheikh who works with a climate action group – CDKN, Sarma had said government SIT has found that Seikh has come to India 18 times and SIT has got some initial leads which might lead to facts which will be starting, huge and fatal. Pakistani national Ali Taqueer Sheikh is accused of anti-India activities, and it is alleged that Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi's wife Elizabeth Colburn worked closely with Seikh.

United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday expressed gratitude to the Pakistani government for assisting in the arrest of a key terrorist involved in the 2021 Kabul airport bombing. «Three and a half years ago, a [Daesh] terrorist killed 13 American service members and countless others in the Abbey Gate bombing,» Trump said during his address to a joint session of Congress. He added, «Tonight, I am pleased to announce that we have just apprehended the top terrorist responsible for that atrocity. And he is right now on his way here to face the swift sword of American justice.» The attack at Kabul airport in August 2021 claimed the lives of 13 US service members and around 170 Afghan civilians during the chaotic withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan.

Mohammad Rizwan as their T20 captain Tuesday but he will still lead the one-day side on the tour of New Zealand despite their failed Champions Trophy campaign. All-rounder Salman Agha will skipper the tourists in the five-match T20 series which starts in Christchurch on March 16. Three ODIs will follow. Hosts Pakistan are reeling after the defence of their Champions Trophy crown ended after two straight defeats. Their last match against Bangladesh was washed out.

India vs Australia Semifinal LIVE SCORE, Champions Trophy 2025: India are taking on Australia in the first semifinal of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai on Tuesday. Unbeaten in the tournament so far, Rohit Sharma's men finished on top of Group A to set up a clash with injury-hit Australia, led by Steve Smith. In fact, it will be first IND vs AUS clash in ODIs for the first time since the final of World Cup in 2023.India started off the campaign with a win over Bangladesh before beating Pakistan and New Zealand.

Pakistan's cargo ship will soon reach Bangladesh's Mongla Port in 53 years. By allowing Pakistani ships to dock at its ports, Bangladesh's interim government is sending a a clear message to India. The erstwhile Sheikh Hasina government had given India access to Bangladesh's Chittagong and Mongla Ports to bolster sub-regional connectivity. Pakistan flagged carrier vessel, loaded with 25 metric tonnes of rice, left Karachi's Qasim port a few days ago and is expected to anchor at Chittagong Port this week, according to persons familiar with Pakistan-Bangladesh ties. After unloading 60% of the cargo (rice) at Chittagong, the vessel with the remaining quantity of rice will move towards Mongla, claimed one of the persons.

Manoj Sinha on Monday said his government remains steadfast in its commitment to address the legitimate desire of restoration of full statehood. The 40-day budget session started in the winter capital of Jammu with Sinha's address who reiterated his commitment to holding panchayat and urban local bodies elections in the Union Territory. «One of the foremost aspirations of the people of J&K is the restoration of full statehood. My government remains steadfast in its commitment to addressing this legitimate desire of the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir,» said Sinha. The LG said his government recognises the 'emotional and political significance of statehood' for the people of J&K. «We are actively engaging with all stakeholders to facilitate this process in a manner that ensures peace, stability and progress,» said Sinha.

Champions Trophy on Tuesday. India have stuck to their position of not touring Pakistan because of the strained political relations between the Asian neighbours, who play each other only in global events. The International Cricket Council (ICC), headed by former Indian board secretary Jay Shah, has drawn flak for allowing India to play all their matches in Dubai and getting what many consider an unfair advantage.

Pakistan cricket captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has urged international cricket boards to boycott the Indian Premier League (IPL) in response to the ongoing Champions Trophy venue controversy, echoing concerns raised by Saqlain Mushtaq. Earlier, former Pakistan spinner Saqlain Mushtaq also criticised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over the ongoing Champions Trophy venue controversy, in which the India Team has been playing all its matches in Dubai in a hybrid mode after it refused to travel to Pakistan due to security concerns. The dispute gainted traction after former English player and cricket experts Nasser Hussain and Mike Atherton highlighted that India gained an 'undeniable' advantage by playing all their matches at a single venue in Dubai.

West Indies cricket legend Vivian Richards has urged his national team to take inspiration from Afghanistan's rise in world cricket, highlighting their passion, energy, and determination. His comments come as West Indies cricket continues to struggle, having missed out on both the 2023 ODI World Cup and now the Champions Trophy. Once a dominant force in the sport, the team has faced setbacks due to inconsistency. On the other hand, Afghanistan has been on the rise, putting up one surprising performance after the other, having beaten Pakistan, New Zealand, and Australia within the last 2 years. Continuing its recent trend, it again shocked England in the ongoing Champions Trophy defeating them by 8 runs, ending the team's campaign in the tournament.

On Sunday, Netflix took to social media to unveil the much-anticipated OTT release date. Sharing a promotional poster featuring the lead pair, Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi, the streaming giant made the announcement with a caption that read: «A journey across borders, a story beyond limits. Watch Thandel, out 7 March on Netflix in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada & Malayalam!» The news sparked enthusiasm among fans, who expressed their excitement in the comments section, eager to relive the film’s emotional and gripping narrative.

During his brief inning, Virat looked in great touch, scoring two boundaries against Matt Henry. However, a cracking shot fell into Glenn Philips's zone at a backward point. Phillips took yet another stunning diving catch, adding one more to his stunning catalogue of catches. In 300 ODIs, Virat has scored 14,096 runs at an average of 58.00, with 51 centuries and 73 fifties. His best score is 183. He is the third-highest run-getter in ODIs, next to Kumar Sangakkara (14,234 runs in 404 matches with 25 centuries) and Sachin Tendulkar (18,426 runs in 463 matches with 49 centuries). He also has the most centuries in ODIs.

For India, Virat Kohli is set to make his 300th ODI appearance, and he will be eager to make a mark after his match-winning century against Pakistan. Shubman Gill currently leads India’s batting charts in the tournament with 147 runs, while Mohammed Shami has been the standout bowler with five wickets to his name. On the New Zealand side, Tom Latham is leading the run-scoring charts with 173 runs, supported by Rachin Ravindra and Will Young. The Kiwi bowling unit, led by Michael Bracewell and William O'Rourke, has also been effective, each picking up five wickets in the tournament.

India will aim to go into knockouts unbeaten when they face New Zealand in the final group encounter at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai today. Both India and New Zealand have qualified for the semifinals from Group B while Australia and South Africa have made it through from Group B.

India’s cricketers, however, can’t wait to get back on the field. For starters, they all spend enough time in Dubai so there’s little allure. But, more importantly, it would have been a week since their win against Pakistan when India take on New Zealand in their final group stage match of the Champions Trophy. The result of the match itself is of little consequence.

The agency is implementing strict profiling measures for passengers heading to 15 countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Turkiye, Qatar, Azerbaijan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Egypt, Libya, Ethiopia, Senegal, Mauritania, and Kenya. According to a report submitted to the Lahore High Court (LHC) regarding a petition from a pilgrim denied travel to Saudi Arabia for Umrah, the FIA stated that travelers must possess a clear travel purpose, confirmed hotel bookings, and adequate financial resources. The FIA also mentioned that those traveling for Umrah should have sufficient religious understanding, as reported by Dawn.