Day: January 8, 2022

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Will PSL 7 Be Played Without Crowds?

The provincial governments across the country are considering implementing restrictions as the Omicron variant rapidly spreads across the country. An alleged notification by Sindh Health Department was circulated around social media which stated a number of restrictions including the seventh edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) to be played in empty stadiums.

While the notification went viral on Twitter, the official account of the Sindh Health Department reported that the notification was ‘photoshopped’ and termed it fake. They stated that no such notification has been issued and no decision regarding any restrictions has been made as of yet.

As things stand, PSL 7 will be played in front of passionate cricket fans at the National Stadium Karachi and Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. According to details, the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) has already allowed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to hold the PSL 7 matches in front of a full capacity crowd and it is likely that no restrictions will be placed. Only fully vaccinated people will be allowed to enter the stadium according to the Covid-19 SOPs shared by the NCOC.

According to PCB chairman, Ramiz Raja, the fans are the most important aspect of the sport and he has stated multiple times that he will implement new and exciting ideas in PSL 7 to enhance the experience of the fans in the stadium. It is reported that special fan booths will be put in place outside the stadiums where the fans can indulge in fun activities including commentating on previous PSL matches. With the tournament just a few weeks away, it will be interesting to see what further activities will be put in place for the fans.

PSL 2022 is scheduled to take place in two phases, the first phase will commence from 27 January in Karachi while the second phase will be played in Lahore including the play-offs and the final, which is set to be played on 27 February.

Source: Pro Pakistani

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Pakistan, Iran working for joint border markets to boost trade activities: Iran’s Ambassador

Pakistan and Iran are working together to establish two new border crossings and six joint border markets to boost the trade activities between the two countries.

Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan Mohammad Ali Hosseini in an interview with News and Current Affairs Channel of Radio Pakistan said both countries are committed to enhance the existing trade volume of one point four billion dollars to over five billion dollars in the next couple of years.

He said currently one border crossing at Taftan border is operational for trade while new new border crossings are being established at Pak-Iran border in Pashin and Rimdan.

The Iranian Ambassador said both countries are working to establish six joint border markets and priority work is focussed on three markets.

He said Pakistan and Iran have commonalities in all aspects particularly religion, history and culture and frequent high level visits have increased cooperation in all sectors for mutual benefit and development.

The Iranian envoy expressed full confidence that both countries have the potential to increase trade and economic cooperation besides security collaboration.

He said fencing of over 900 kilometers long border will prevent the miscreants and smuggling of goods.

In reply to a question, Mohammad Ali Hosseini said Tehran is extending full cooperation to the International Atomic Energy Agency regarding its peaceful nuclear program and fully committed to international obligations.

On Afghanistan, the Iranian Ambassador said the OIC Foreign Ministers’ recent meeting in Islamabad was a good initiative of Pakistan in highlighting the humanitarian issue in the war-torn country and currently over five thousand refugees are daily entering Iran.

He further said European countries should extend help to avert the catastrophe in Afghanistan.

The Ambassador said Iran is fully committed to peace and stability in Afghanistan as the instability in Kabul will directly affect all regional countries particularly Pakistan and Iran.

He said Pakistan and Iran have regular consultation and interaction for the security on the common border and in the region and institutional level mechanism exists to prevent miscreants.

The weekly program “Diplomatic Session” was hosted by renowned journalist and columnist Javed Siddiq while Producer of the program was Rana Ghulam Mustafa and Executive Producer Abdul Raoof Khan.

The weekly program “Diplomatic Session” is being broadcast from News and Current Affairs Channel and FM 101 networks of Radio Pakistan on Saturday at 1815 hrs.

The show is also available on Radio Pakistan’s official website “www.radio.gov.pk”, Social Media Platforms and Radio Pakistan’s Podcast “podcast.radio.gov.pk”

Source: Radio Pakistan