Tag: quetta

  • PIA’s new flight plans for tourist destinations

    PIA’s new flight plans for tourist destinations

    Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has finalised the plan to start direct flights from Balochistan’s Kech district to Turbat city , ARY News reported on Friday.

    This move will enable Pakistanis to travel to the popular tourist destination directly.

    The airline will also operate flights from Quetta to Turbat from February 26.

    It may be noted here that PIA had decided to operate flights between Turbat and Sharjah in January last year. ATR planes will be used for flight operations between Turbat and Sharjah.

    The decision was taken to facilitate citizens to travel to the mountainous areas.

    Moreover, PIA will resume flight operations from Lahore and Karachi to Gilgit and Skardu to promote tourism in the northern areas.

    The national carrier will resume the flight operations on March 13. PIA will operate flights from Lahore to Gilgit and from Karachi to Skardu.

  • Naseem Shah disappointed after Quetta loses to Peshawar in PSL

    Naseem Shah disappointed after Quetta loses to Peshawar in PSL

    Quetta Gladiators’ young pacer Naseem Shah is disappointed after his side lost to Peshawar Zalmi during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) match at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Tuesday.

    Shah impressed one and all with his bowling, bagging figures of 4/27. However, Gladiators fell short by 24 runs against Zalmi.

    “I think that a player enjoys his personal performance more when his team wins and the entire squad celebrates the win,” said Naseem in a video released by the Quetta Gladiators.

    “Since my childhood, I always feel weird even if I lose a game at home. I’m happy with my own performance but my team didn’t win which makes me sad,” he added.

    Shah also stated that Gladiators can qualify for the playoffs “if they win their last two games”.

    “We have good openers and middle-order. We just need one win to turn things around,” he added.

    It must be noted that Quetta’s last two matches in the round-robin stage are against Multan Sultans and Karachi Kings, respectively.

    Team Quetta is standing at fifth position at the points table with six points.

  • Quetta bomb blast: two FC personnel injured

    Quetta bomb blast: two FC personnel injured

    Two Frontier Corps (FC) personnel were injured in an explosion on Quetta’s Sariab Road today (Monday). They have been shifted to the FC hospital, an FC spokesperson confirmed, reports Dawn.

    Following the blast, the area was sealed and security personnel along with a bomb disposal squad reached the site to initiate an operation.

    The spokesperson further said that the two injured personnel were on routine patrol in a village when the bomb, which was fitted in a motorcycle, blew off.

    Today’s incident is the latest in a string of attacks in Balochistan and has occurred a couple of days after a terrorist attack on security forces in Balochistan’s Panjgur and Naushki.

    Balochistan Home Minister Mir Zia Langove had revealed that several threats had been issued in February. “We had threats from Daesh and so-called nationalists,” he had said.

  • Mohammad Hasnain’s bowling action declared illegal

    Mohammad Hasnain’s bowling action declared illegal

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued a statement on Mohammad Hasnain after a test conducted on his bowling action at the ICC’s accredited testing centre in Lahore on January 21 and the report reviewed and verified by Cricket Australia’s (CA) independent expert found his bowling action to be illegal.

    “The PCB today received a formal and detailed report from Cricket Australia on Mohammad Hasnain’s assessment test, which stated his elbow extension for his good length delivery, full-length delivery, slow bouncer and bouncer exceeded the 15-degree limits,” the statement read.

    “The PCB has discussed the report with its own bowling experts and is confident that the problem can be resolved. The PCB will now appoint a bowling consultant who will work with Mohammad Hasnain so that he can rectify his bowling action and be ready for a reassessment,” it added.

    “Mohammad Hasnain is an asset for Pakistan and one of the very few bowlers to consistently click 145kmp. As such, and keeping his future and Pakistan’s interest at the forefront, the PCB, on the recommendation of the HBL PSL 2022 Technical Committee, has decided he will not be allowed to continue to participate in the HBL Pakistan Super League.”

    The report further added: “Instead, he will use this time to work with the PCB-appointed bowling consultant to modify his bowling action so that he can apply for a reassessment and become eligible to return to international cricket as quickly as practically possible.”

    “As per the Illegal Bowling Action Regulations, until Mohammad Hasnain clears his reassessment, he will remain suspended from bowling in international cricket.”

    According to the ICC’s regulations on illegal bowling actions, the PCB can allow him to continue bowling in their domestic tournaments but it would seem unlikely. In 2016, the board prevented Mohammad Hafeez from bowling in the PSL after his action was found to be illegal.

    Hasnain had picked up three wickets in the PSL so far, while conceding runs at 8.44 runs per over for Quetta Gladiators.

  • Shoaib Akhtar to initiate career opportunities for Pakistani footballers

    Shoaib Akhtar to initiate career opportunities for Pakistani footballers

    Former Pakistani Pacer Shoaib Akhtar has reportedly initiated a life-changing career opportunity for 20 of Pakistan’s most outstanding football players. The initiative is led by the Global Soccer Ventures (GSV) in collaboration with Jawan Sports Drive.

    With GSV, Akhtar will also play a pivotal role in shaping the future of football in Pakistan. GSV is heavily investing in the trials in Pakistan, giving the first UEFA scouting examination on a national level in Pakistan to identify talent in 10 cities across 11 sites, with the goal of offering life-changing professions through professional football contracts in Ireland.

    Under St Patrick’s Football Club’s development programme, the visit also includes four masterclasses in major cities including Karachi, Islamabad, Quetta, and Lahore to enhance local football coaching expertise to European levels.

    At least 15-25 coaches have been shortlisted based on merit to attend masterclasses to improve their skills as a trainer with the aim of becoming certified trainers who would train other trainers.

    Talking about the initiative, the chairman of GSV Yasir Mahmood said: “Football is here to stay for the right reasons to develop and provide an opportunity for Pakistani players. With Akhtar as an iconic cricket legend well regarded around the world will help play a transitional role in making football become on top of the minds of our nation.”

    Meanwhile, CEO of GSV Zabe Khan said: “The only lifeline a player has and that is to play. Pakistan has seen nothing but football being swiped off its so-called grassroots.”

    “I welcome Shoaib Akhtar standing shoulder to shoulder with GSV offering a new hope for Pakistan’s next-generation football players,” he added.

    British Deputy High Commissioner Allison Blackburne said: “Football is not just a sport, for many in the UK it’s a way of life, and it would be great to see it become more popular in sport-loving Pakistan.

    He further said: “I’m delighted that talented young players here in Pakistan will have this opportunity provided by GSV to learn from some of the best UEFA coaches through St Patrick’s Athletic Football Club.”

    On the other hand, Belgian UEFA licensed coach Karel Freaye said: “Football is for everyone and I am looking for talent with the potential to develop and grow into professional players in Europe.

    With the trial registrations rising by the hour, he said that he is excited to see what football technical excellence Pakistan has to offer.

    On the other hand, SAPM on Youth Affairs and Chairman Kamyab Jawan Program Usman Dar said: “The revival of sports is the top priority of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Government. I welcome GSV in their efforts for reviving football in Pakistan.

    “PM’s Kamyab Jawan Programme together with GSV will ensure that through football talent hunt we will produce the next football Kamyab Jawan heroes who will represent Pakistan nationally and internationally,” he expressed.

    President of St. Patrick’s Football Club Garret Kelleher expressed: “It is simply wonderful that the resources are now being put in place in Pakistan to allow football inspiring those with a passion for the game to fulfil their dreams and aspirations just like Shoaib Akhtar has in the world of cricket representing Pakistan at the highest level.”

    Talking about the sports, CEO of Itel Zeeshan Yousuf said: “What excites me the most about this legacy project of GSV is the prospect of changing lives of 20 successful kids who will be on a life-changing journey to Europe.

  • Police physically assault women in Quetta without presence of female constable

    Police physically assault women in Quetta without presence of female constable

    Policemen assaulted three women physically and dragged them towards a police mobile in Quetta in the absence of a female constable.

    Chief Minister of Balochistan, Abdul Quddus Bizenjo took notice of the incident after the video went viral and ordered strict action against the policemen who were involved in the incident.

    The senior superintendent of police (SSP) Quetta has suspended the additional Station House Officer (SHO) Naveed Mukhtar.

    According to the police, one of the girls allegedly escape from her house and was living with two friends.

    Police further revealed that the father of the girl filed a complaint and relatives told the police after spotting her location.

    Defending themselves, the police said that the girls were resisting and hitting them when they were trying to get hold of them.

    Today, the court of a judicial magistrate in Quetta handed over the arrested girls to their parents.

    The video got heavy criticism from netizens regarding the mistreatment of the girls by the police.

    According to the law, a woman cannot be arrested or searched without the presence of a female constable.

  • ‘A physically challenged girl doesn’t need anyone,’ three Pakistanis on solo trip to Egypt

    ‘A physically challenged girl doesn’t need anyone,’ three Pakistanis on solo trip to Egypt

    Pictures of three physically challenged Pakistani friends on a tour to Egypt are doing the rounds on social media. The three women are Tanzeela, Afshan and Zarghona. Tanzeela is from Lahore, Afshan hails from Peshawar and Zarghona lives in Quetta.

    Talking to BBC Urdu, Tanzeela said that she is physically challenged since her childhood. She says, “I have no legs below the knees and I have been in a wheelchair all my life,” but so far she has travelled 20 countries in a wheelchair.

    “I wanted to prove that a disabled girl doesn’t need anyone, she can be independent, she can make her own decisions,” she said talking about travelling alone.

     Tanzeela said, “Allah has created us all independent, but in our country, a differently-abled person is made dependant on others and he cannot go anywhere without the help of anyone, from restaurants to public washrooms.” She added that there are no facilities for physically challenged persons to go anywhere alone. They have to ask for someone’s help to go to the restaurants or public washrooms. There is no privacy and if there is no privacy, then your self-confidence is completely destroyed.

    “I thought I would take a step forward and set an example for other people.”

    The other friend, Afshan told BBC Urdu that 75 per cent of her body was paralysed because she was not vaccinated against polio when she was a child. Physiotherapy has made her healthy enough that she can now sit in a wheelchair.

    Sharing her feelings about travelling alone, she said that women with disabilities are often looked upon with pity. “It is a common notion about them that they cannot go anywhere so I decided to show the world that when you have the courage, then nothing is impossible.”

    Afshan said that we used to see girls travelling outside Pakistan but never saw anybody mentioning facilities provided to the physically challenged people who want to travel to other countries. “Nobody mentioned whether the conditions are the same in foreign countries as in Pakistan or better for people like us.”

    Zarghona was seven months old when she contracted polio and was unable to walk.

    “I have never travelled from Quetta to Islamabad or Karachi alone before this and I used to have some attendant with me. Even if I go somewhere in Quetta, I have to take someone with me,” she said.

    This is her first trip alone. She has previously travelled with different groups to three countries. “I was very excited to see Tanzeela and Afshan and I dared to travel alone,” she added. “If they can travel alone, why can’t I?”

  • Shaheen Shah apologises after verbal spat with Sarfaraz Ahmed

    Shaheen Shah apologises after verbal spat with Sarfaraz Ahmed

    Lahore Qalandars’ pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi has apologised after his verbal spat with Quetta Gladiators’ skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed during Tuesday’s Pakistan Super League (PSL) season six clash.

    Taking to Twitter, Shaheen wrote he always had respect for Champions Trophy-winning skipper. “Saifi Bhai is the pride of all of us. He was and will always remain a captain for me. Whatever happened in the game that day was the heat of the moment. I should have stayed quiet in respect of him. I have always respected my seniors and pray and wish the best for Sarfaraz Bhai,” he penned.

    Words were exchanged between Sarfaraz and Shaheen after the pacer hit the Quetta skipper on his helmet with a bouncer, during the first innings. It sparked controversy on media. Cricketers and people criticised the young bowler for disrespecting the senior wicket-keeper batter.

    Senior cricketer Mohammad Hafeez also lauded the pacer for his apology, saying: “Shabash. Stay blessed.”

    Replying to Shaheen on Twitter, Sarfaraz wrote: “It’s all good bro. Whatever happened in the field, it should stay in the field,” adding, “You are the star of Pakistan too. May Allah give you more success in life.”

    “You are little brother to me. All is well,” added Sarfaraz.

    It is pertinent to mention here that the Gladiators got eliminated from the tournament after they were beaten by Multan Sultans with the historic margin of 110 runs.

  • ‘Quetta blast was a suicide attack’: Sheikh Rasheed

    Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed said on Thursday that the blast at Serena Hotel in Quetta was a suicide attack. He said this was a foreign attempt to destabilise Pakistan. “Pakistan Army and the people of Pakistan will defeat such designs.” Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed the responsibility for the Quetta blast yesterday. Five people were killed and more than a dozen injured in the deadly attack.

    All law enforcement agencies are on high alert at the instructions of the Interior Ministry. Talking about the attack, Sheikh Rasheed said the suicide bomber stayed inside the car. “C4 explosives weighing between 60 to 70 kilogrammes were used in the attack”. Evidence has been sent for forensic analysis.

    The interior minister also said that social media was misused during the past few days by foreign elements who are behind efforts to destabilise Pakistan. “An estimated 250,000-300,000 social media accounts were created in India.” “These foreign forces cannot see Pakistan prosper and progress,” said the minister. 

    China strongly condemned the terrorist attack. A statement by the Chinese embassy in Pakistan said that Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong was leading a delegation on a visit to Quetta on the same day. “When the attack occurred, the Chinese delegation was not in the hotel. Till present, no reports of casualties of Chinese citizens in the attack have been received.”

    Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted that he is deeply saddened by the loss of innocent lives in the condemnable and cowardly terrorist attack in Quetta yesterday. “Our nation has made great sacrifices in defeating terrorism and we will not to allow this scourge to rise again. We remain alert to all internal and external threats.”

  • Blast inside Serena Hotel’s parking area in Quetta

    Blast inside Serena Hotel’s parking area in Quetta

    At least three people have been killed and several injured, including two government officials, after an explosion in the parking area of the Serena Hotel in Quetta, as per media reports. Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the attack.

    Initial reports say that the cause of the blast, which took place at 10:30 pm local time, has not yet been ascertained. Security forces have cordoned off the area. Rescue teams have arrived at the site of the explosion.

    Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry has said that the Interior Ministry is in touch with the Balochistan Government.

    “Once details come in, the government will comment further on the issue,” said Fawad.

    According to journalist Ihsan Tipu, the attack was aimed at the Chinese Ambassador, who was reportedly staying at the hotel.

    Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed has clarified that the Chinese Ambassador was in the hotel but was not present at the time of the blast.