Category: Islamabad

Islamabad: Tamasha, Pakistan's leading digital entertainment platform by Jazz, was set to bring ICC Champions Trophy 2025 to cricket fans across the country with high-definition live streaming.

This marks a historic moment as Pakistan hosts an official ICC event for the first time in 29 years, adding to the excitement of the tournament, said a news release.

As the defending champions of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017, Pakistan enters the competition with high stakes, further fueling anticipation among cricket enthusiasts.

Tamasha will serve as the digital flag-bearer of the tournament, ensuring fans never miss a moment of the action, no matter where they are.

Aamer Ejaz, President Digital Platforms at Jazz, commented on the development, stating, 'The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is a historic moment for Pakistan, bringing an official ICC event to our home ground after three decades. With Pakistan defending its Champions Trophy title, the stakes are higher than ever, making this tournament even more thrilling. Through Tamasha, we are not only delivering seamless live streaming but also creating an immersive experience that brings fans closer to the action like never before.'

Beyond live HD streaming, Tamasha is redefining the cricket-watching experience by integrating interactive features such as the SportsX fantasy league, real-time viewer engagement, and trivia challenges with exciting prizes. This innovative approach will bring fans closer to the game, making them an active part of the tournament.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to begin on February 19, with Pakistan taking on New Zealand in the opening match. One of the most anticipated clashes of the tournament-the showdown between Pakistan and India-is scheduled for February 23, promising an electrifying contest for cricket fans worldwide. With Tamasha, cricket lovers can experience every thrilling moment of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, streamed seamlessly on their mobile screens.

With over 16 million monthly active users, Tamasha is Pakistan's premier digital entertainment platform, offering live sports, movies, TV shows, and more. In 2024, it delivered 12.5 billion minutes of content, hosted 250 days of live action, and expanded its on-demand library to 3,900+ hours. A record 9 million users tuned in for a single match, driving 70% year-on-year growth and 34 million interactions. With 750 million+ ad impressions, Tamasha continues to redefine streaming in Pakistan, setting the stage for an even bigger 2025.

Islamabad: Pakistani cueists Muhammad Sajjad, Muhammad Asif and Muhammad Sajjad have qualified for the knockout round of the ACBS Asian Men Snooker Championship 2025 at Doha, Qatar.

According to details received here, on day 3rd matches, Sajjad beat Ayman Alamri of Saudi Arabia 4-1 (67-57, 68-33, 73(56)-7, 70-83, 73-46) while Asif outplayed Siyavosh Mozayani of Iran 4-1 (70(57)-31, 12-55(53), 76(75)-39, 85-36, 76(76)-0) and Sajjad defeated Fung Kwok Wai of Hong Kong 4-2 (101(65)-25, 75(58)-0, 79(63)-30, 50-75, 48-77(71), 63-52).

Meanwhile Mohamed Shehab of United Arab Emirates downed Pakistan's Shahid Aftab 4-2 (124(102)-6, 57-8, 43-67(56), 35-84, 67(51)-36, 80-18).

Islamabad: Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja said on Monday that Pakistan set to become a major player in the digital landscape with enhanced internet connectivity and the launch of 5G technology.

Speaking at the event titled "Shaping the Future of Connectivity Beyond 5G," she announced the government's target to increase IT exports from $3.2 billion to $15 billion.

She said that 5G deployment will significantly contribute to the country's GDP growth, while addressing existing internet connectivity challenges. She assured that spectrum allocation is expected by May or June, which will lead to improved services.

She said that Pakistan is currently assessing investment and cost estimates for the 5G rollout, studying global best practices to ensure a smooth and cost-effective deployment.

She also revealed that the world's largest optical fiber cable has now reached Pakistan and will soon be operational, further enhancing digital infrastructure.

Pakistan is working on a project to connect with Central Asia through the Wakhan border, strengthening its role as a regional connectivity hub.

The minister noted that over half of Pakistan operates on a 274 MHz spectrum, underscoring the need for expansion to meet future digital demands.

She reaffirmed the government's commitment to achieving a $25 billion IT sector target through better connectivity and strategic investments.

Reflecting on the country's economic turnaround, Fatima Khawaja highlighted that two years ago, Pakistan was on the verge of default, but today, the economy has stabilized, markets are steady, inflation is declining, and GDP is on an upward trajectory.

Islamabad: The first session of the 72nd meeting of the Board of Advanced Studies and Research (BASR) was held on Monday at Allama Iqbal Open University(AIOU).

The session was conducted and facilitated by the Director of BASR, Professor Dr. Irshad Ahmad Arshad.

A report on the implementation of previous decisions and the agenda for the current meeting were presented.

The meeting was attended by the university's deans, professors, subject specialists, and PhD scholars.

During the first session, 15 scholars from the Faculty of Arabic and Islamic Studies, including the Department of Quran and Tafseer, Shariah, and Islamic Thought and Culture, presented their research papers.

The subject specialists meticulously reviewed the students' research topics, approved the presented papers, and suggested some modifications.

The board also agreed that students should complete their research following the approved format. Instructions were issued to ensure that research topics adhere to all academic requirements and align with the social and economic development needs of the modern era.

Additionally, the board emphasized that expert guidance and experience play a crucial role in improving students' research work. It was advised that research frameworks should use simple and easily understandable language.

In the meeting, the research topics of 41 MPhil students were approved based on the recommendations of the Research Proposal Committee.

Islamabad: Acting Consul General of Pakistan in Birmingham, United Kingdom Kamran Ahmed Malik passed away following a protracted illness.

"It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our esteemed colleague, Mr Kamran Malik, Acting Consul General Birmingham, who departed peacefully on 16 February 2025 after a courageous battle with cancer," Foreign Office announced on Monday.

He was survived by his wife and three young children.

Malik has been serving as Acting Consul General at Pakistan Consulate in Birmingham since July, 2024. Prior to that, he served in Pakistan diplomatic missions in France and the Czech Republic.

He joined the government service in 2007 and the Foreign Service of Pakistan in 2014.

"Kamran Malik served Pakistan with unwavering dedication, integrity, and distinction throughout his career. His diplomatic acumen, compassion, and commitment to duty left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of working alongside him. Even in the face of adversity, Kamran exemplified resilience and grace, inspiring peers and partners alike," Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said in a statement.

He also extended condolences to Malik's family and friends and prayed for them to find solace in the enduring legacy of Kamran's contributions to diplomacy and the countless lives he touched.

Pakistan's High Commission in the UK also remembered Kamran Malik as an outstanding diplomat and a devoted family man.

"Officers and staff of the Pakistan High Commission and Consulates join High Commissioner Dr Mohammad Faisal in extending their sincere condolences to the bereaved family," the High Commission said in a statement.

Tashkent: Uzbekistan's draft State Program for 2025 has emerged as a collective initiative shaped through extensive public and expert discussions, underscoring a commitment to transparency and inclusivity, according to Eldor Tulyakov, Executive Director of the Development Strategy Center.

Tulyakov emphasized that the program was not solely a government initiative but was enriched by deliberations across both chambers of parliament, political parties, labor unions, youth groups, and local communities. The open dialogue, widely covered by the media, ensured public engagement at every stage, allowing citizens to contribute meaningfully to the nation's future.

Public awareness campaigns played a key role in gathering feedback, with around 100 conceptual and more than 1,000 editorial proposals from citizens and experts incorporated into the final document. Notably, the consultation process extended beyond Uzbekistan's borders, with input from the international community and Uzbek expatriates, reinforcing the program's comprehensive and inclusive nature.

A core focus of the State Program is improving the quality of life through environmental sustainability and a transition to a green economy. Key initiatives include expanding green spaces by planting trees in urban and residential areas, enhancing transport infrastructure with pedestrian and bicycle lanes, and adopting innovative water conservation techniques such as rainwater harvesting and wastewater recycling.

In pursuit of renewable energy goals, Uzbekistan plans to install solar panels at 74,172 facilities, generating an additional 785 MW of power. The country will also develop micro-hydropower plants with a total capacity of 225 MW, aiming to increase the share of renewables to 40 percent.

On the economic front, the government aims to stimulate the production of export-oriented goods, attract foreign investment, and integrate local products into global markets. Economic growth is projected at a minimum of 6% in 2025, with industrial growth at 6.1%, market services at 14.5%, and agriculture at 4.1%. Additionally, a targeted "firm-by-firm" support system will assist local entrepreneurs in accessing international markets.

Education and health-care reforms form another pillar of the program. The government plans to expand preschool education, establish mobile learning centres in remote areas, and promote digital learning tools. Certified Uzbek language and literature teachers will receive a 50% salary increase, while 500 foreign specialists will be recruited to schools. In health-care, modernization efforts will include upgrading medical facilities, introducing centralized laboratories, and implementing a digital queue system in hospitals to enhance service efficiency.

To combat poverty and boost employment, the government will establish vocational training centres, providing youth with skills aligned with industry demands. Investment projects will generate new job opportunities, driving economic resilience.

Environmental sustainability remains a priority, with subsidies offered for energy-efficient household equipment and the development of 100,000 hectares of green space in the Aral Sea region. Additionally, 32 million fruit and ornamental trees will be planted across 9,452 neighborhoods, along with 388 million flowers and shrubs along residential areas and streets.

As Uzbekistan moves forward with its ambitious road-map, officials hope for active public participation to ensure the program's success. 'These reforms are not just about today; they are about building a stronger foundation for future generations,' Tulyakov said.