Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the distribution of 100,000 free laptops among talented students across the country on merit, during an International Youth Day event in Islamabad on Tuesday. Premier stated that the distribution of these laptops will cover all four provinces, the federal capital Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir, and will be based purely on merit, without any nepotism. He added that these laptops would be separate from the scheme for laptops through interest-based loans. Referring to Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, the prime minister mentioned that Pakistan’s victory on May 10 against a numerically larger and more boastful enemy had instilled a new vigour in the entire nation. He urged the youth to build on the spirit of this achievement and work hard to bring honour to the country. Earlier, during the ceremony, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Program, Rana Mashhood, said the government’s merit-based programs for youth had enabled talented and des...
Pakistan Cricket Board has announced its 15-man squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, slated to be hosted by Pakistan between February 19 and March 9. ¹ The very same squad is going to compete in a three-nation ODI series played against New Zealand and South Africa in Lahore and Karachi, preceding the Champions Trophy. The team has seen four changes since the last ODI series in South Africa, with Abdullah Shafique, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Saim Ayub, and Sufyan Moqim making way for Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khushdil Shah, and Saud Shakeel. Mohammad Rizwan will lead the team as captain, while Salman Ali Agha will be the vice-captain. The team, that comprehensively won the 2017 title, comprises three members Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, and Fakhar Zaman. Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Saud Shakeel, the others in this team, also played for the country when it last participated in the 50-over ICC tournament, ICC Men's 50-over Cricket World Cup 2023. Ever since the IC...