BIRMINGHAM: Pakistan reached 52-2 in their second innings before rain brought an early end to the second day of the third and final Test against England at Edgbaston on Thursday.
Pakistan, who were bowled out for 133 in their first innings, began their second innings 320 runs behind England after the hosts made 453.
The tourists again made a poor start, with openers Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique dismissed for ducks by Ollie Robinson.
Azan Awais and Shan Masood then steadied Pakistan’s innings, reaching 52 before play was abandoned because of rain. Awais was unbeaten on 29 and Masood on 21.
Pakistan still trail England by 268 runs and need to match the hosts’ first-innings total to avoid an innings defeat.
England had earlier been bowled out for 453, with Harry Brook scoring 75, Jamie Smith 69, Dan Lawrence 65, Emilio Gay 60 and Ollie Robinson 50.
Pakistan debutant fast bowler Razaullah claimed four wickets, while Mohammad Imran and Mohammad Ali took two each.
Pakistan had been dismissed for 133 in 33.5 overs in their first innings, with the visitors struggling against England’s bowling attack.
England lead the three-match series 2-0, leaving Pakistan needing a remarkable turnaround in the final Test to avoid a series whitewash.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has imposed no restrictions on Afghan students or students of any particular nationality seeking medical education in the country, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council said Thursday.
The council said its rules and visa requirements applied equally to all foreign students, without discrimination based on nationality.
More than 200 Afghan medical students have been identified in Pakistan, but only 22 are legally registered with the PMDC, according to the council.
Of those registered, 14 have completed their medical education, while eight are expected to graduate next year.
The records and documents of the remaining 176 students are being verified, the PMDC said.
It stressed that obtaining a medical degree alone does not grant a person the right to remain in Pakistan or practise medicine there. Graduates seeking to practise must obtain a PMDC licence and hold a valid visa, it said.
The council said students who are not registered cannot be considered legal students under Pakistan’s medical education system.
It added that affected students were being facilitated in completing required documentation and, where necessary, making an orderly and dignified return.
The PMDC said Pakistan welcomed foreign students who met all applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan must mobilize private-sector capital to support economic growth and achieve sustainable economic stability, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said Friday.
Speaking at an event in Islamabad, Aurangzeb said the government would not allow Pakistan to return to a cycle of economic boom and crisis. He said mobilizing private investment was essential for long-term economic development.
The finance minister said investment could be encouraged through public-private partnerships and privatization, adding that the government was pursuing a structural reform agenda to ensure sustainable economic stability.
He said transparency, efficiency and investor confidence would remain priorities in the privatization process. Pakistan also needs to increase private investment in infrastructure and public-service projects through public-private partnerships, he said.
Aurangzeb said stronger cooperation between the government and private sector was necessary to drive economic growth. He added that economic stability had been achieved through difficult decisions and that the government’s goal was to make those gains sustainable.
The finance minister said Pakistan’s overall fiscal deficit had declined from 12.5% to 2.6%, while Federal Board of Revenue tax collections had increased significantly.
FBR revenue has risen by 40% over the past several years, while the tax-to-GDP ratio increased from 8.8% to 10.3%, he said.
Pakistan’s IT services exports reached $4.6 billion during the last fiscal year, with freelancers contributing $1.6 billion, according to Aurangzeb. Merchandise exports remained at around $30 billion, he said, adding that further efforts were needed to expand exports.
He said reforms were continuing in the energy, state-owned enterprises, taxation and privatization sectors as part of the government’s broader economic reform program.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has raised a total of $3 billion through two Eurobond issuances, securing $1.75 billion from a 5½-year bond and another $1.25 billion from a 10-year bond, according to the Finance Ministry.
The 5½-year Eurobond carries a coupon rate of 7.50%, while the 10-year bond has a coupon rate of 7.90%, the ministry said.
The Finance Ministry said strong participation from international investors reflected renewed confidence in Pakistan and marked an important step in restoring the country’s access to global capital markets.
Pakistan issued the bonds for the first time under its new Global Medium-Term Note Programme, according to the ministry.
The government said its debt strategy is focused on sustainable sovereign debt management rather than simply increasing borrowing. It has also emphasized long-term financing to reduce refinancing and rollover risks.
The ministry described the Eurobond issuance as a significant development in Pakistan’s return to international financial markets, saying strong investor participation demonstrated improved market confidence in the country.
BISHKEK: Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan signed several agreements and memorandums of understanding covering trade, climate change, counterterrorism, information technology and other areas during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Kyrgyzstan.
The signing ceremony was held in Bishkek in the presence of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov. The two leaders later addressed a joint news conference.
Sharif described the transit trade agreement between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan as a welcome development, saying the two countries would work together to expand bilateral trade. He said Pakistan wants to increase the trade volume with Kyrgyzstan to $200 million.
The prime minister said Lahore and the Kyrgyz city of Osh would be declared twin cities, a move he said would help strengthen cultural ties between the two countries.
Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan also agreed to cooperate in combating terrorism and extremism, while pledging to facilitate stronger commercial ties between their private sectors.
The two sides reached an understanding on cooperation to address climate change and agreed to promote collaboration in education, science and technology, and culture.
Sharif welcomed the establishment of a joint ministerial group to advance the CASA energy agreement. He said both countries would work to simplify regulations and procedures to facilitate greater bilateral trade.
The prime minister said Pakistan wants to further expand its brotherly relations with Kyrgyzstan, adding that the signing of the agreements marked the beginning of a new phase of bilateral cooperation.
LONDON: Pakistan were bowled out for 110 in their first innings against England on the second day of the second Test at Lord’s, leaving England with a first-innings lead of 180 runs.
Azan Awais top-scored for Pakistan with 46 runs, while Saud Shakeel made 16. Captain Babar Azam scored eight, Mohammad Rizwan seven and Abdullah Shafique five.
Mohammad Abbas scored two runs, while Ali Usman, Shan Masood and Khurram Shahzad contributed one each. Imam-ul-Haq did not bat because of an injury.
For England, Ollie Robinson took four wickets, Jofra Archer claimed three and Josh Tong took two.
England resumed the second day at 248-9 and were eventually bowled out for 290 in their first innings.
England will now begin their second innings with a 180-run lead over Pakistan.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan saw a decline in both the number and value of used car imports during the 2025-26 fiscal year, according to official data.
A total of 36,755 used vehicles were imported during the fiscal year, with a combined value of $187.81 million.
In comparison, 43,675 used vehicles worth $243.85 million were imported during the 2024-25 fiscal year, showing a decline in both import volume and value.
Used vehicles were imported under three schemes during the latest fiscal year: the personal baggage, gift and transfer of residence schemes.
ISLAMABAD: The Prime Minister’s Task Force on Maritime Reforms is taking practical steps to improve the performance and efficiency of Pakistan’s ports, with a focus on modern facilities, administrative reforms and faster cargo handling.
The reforms are aimed at boosting trade activity by upgrading the port system and introducing more effective management measures. A specialized training institute meeting international standards is also being planned to develop skilled workers for the maritime and port sectors.
An enhanced monitoring system will be established for annual and surprise inspections of ports, off-dock terminals, customs stations and other trade-related facilities. Authorities also plan to upgrade inspection centers, introduce 24-hour operations and provide modern scanning equipment under customs rules.
The Prime Minister’s Task Force on Maritime Reforms, along with the National Logistics Cell (NLC) and other relevant institutions, is coordinating efforts to improve the port system. Proposals include modern equipment, CCTV surveillance and enhanced security to make cargo inspection faster and more transparent.
Authorities are also working on measures including portable weighing scales, regular calibration and expansion of high-value cargo areas. Improved facilities and better operational scheduling are expected to address bottlenecks and increase cargo-handling efficiency.
Officials said upgrading port infrastructure and implementing administrative reforms would strengthen Pakistan’s trade capacity and improve its competitiveness in international markets.
ISLAMABAD: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has rejected as misleading and baseless a statement by Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid alleging Pakistani involvement in armed clashes in Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province.
In a statement Tuesday, the ministry said Mujahid had made an unfounded claim that Pakistani authorities were involved in the violence. Pakistan said no credible evidence had been presented to support the allegation.
The ministry said the violence in Badakhshan reflected Afghanistan’s internal security and governance challenges rather than interference by Pakistan. It described the clashes as part of an internal armed struggle against what it called the Taliban’s nonrepresentative and repressive rule.
Pakistan said it has consistently supported a peaceful and stable Afghanistan and has no interest in destabilizing its neighboring country.
The ministry urged the Taliban administration to focus on problems arising from its own governance instead of blaming Pakistan for Afghanistan’s internal challenges.
“Assertions without evidence cannot substitute facts,” the ministry said, according to its statement.
Explore the untapped potential of tourism in Pakistan. Discover key destinations, economic impacts, and the future prospects of this booming travel sector.
Pakistan is a land of dramatic contrasts, boasting everything from some of the world’s highest peaks to centuries-old archaeological sites and a mesmerizing coastal belt. For decades, the true potential of tourism in Pakistan remained vastly underexplored. Today, however, a forward-thinking narrative is taking shape. Driven by improved security, a surge in digital content creators, and a younger generation eager to showcase their country’s beauty, Pakistan is steadily transforming into a premier travel destination.
For entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers, understanding the landscape of tourism in Pakistan is essential. It is not just about scenic getaways; it is about recognizing a booming industry capable of driving national economic growth and fostering social evolution.
The Current State of Tourism in Pakistan
In recent years, the current state of tourism in Pakistan has seen a paradigm shift. The government’s introduction of automated, relaxed e-visa policies for international travelers has removed significant bureaucratic bottlenecks. Simultaneously, improved road infrastructure, such as the Hazara Motorway and the expanding China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) routes, has made previously remote areas far more accessible.
Key Destinations: Exploring Pakistan’s Diverse Landscapes
When we talk about tourism in Pakistan, the sheer diversity of the geography means there is something for every kind of traveler. The sector is broadly built on three distinct pillars:
The Mountainous North: A Hiker’s Paradise
Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are the crown jewels of Pakistani tourism. Home to five of the world’s fourteen 8,000-meter peaks—including K2 and Nanga Parbat—the northern areas attract mountaineers, trekkers, and adventure enthusiasts from across the globe.
Heritage Sites and Cultural Splendors
For those interested in historical and cultural tourism, Pakistan is a treasure trove. The country hosts deep roots of the Indus Valley Civilization, with meticulously preserved ruins in Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa. Taxila serves as a beacon of ancient Buddhist heritage, drawing international pilgrims and historians alike.
The Untapped Coastal Belt
While the mountains take the spotlight, the southern coastal areas of Sindh and Balochistan hold massive untapped potential. The Makran Coastal Highway offers one of the most scenic drives in the world, leading to pristine, secluded beaches that rival popular regional destinations.
The Economic and Social Impact of Tourism
The ripple effects of a thriving tourism sector go far beyond hotel revenues. From an economic standpoint, tourism is a massive engine for job creation. It provides livelihoods for local guides, artisans, transport operators, and hospitality workers.
Future Prospects and Challenges
The future of tourism in Pakistan lies in sustainable, tech-driven development. Public-private partnerships will be crucial in developing eco-resorts and upgrading travel infrastructure. By prioritizing sustainable growth and embracing entrepreneurial innovation, Pakistan can secure its position on the global tourism map.
