Amir Should Blame Himself Instead of Criticizing Management: Umar Gul

Former fast bowler, Umar Gul, has criticized Mohammad Amir for prematurely retiring from international cricket, stating that he should take responsibility for his actions.

Umar Gul expressed his belief that Amir should have embraced challenges instead of quitting his international career, as challenges present opportunities for personal growth.

“One should strive to improve even further, driven by the challenge of performing better alongside exceptional coaches and teammates who have higher expectations,” Gul stated.

Umar Gul said he was surprised when the left-arm pacer announced his retirement from international cricket, as athletes usually confront challenges instead of choosing to leave.

The former pacer remarked that Amir should not blame a specific coach or selector as the sole reason for being dropped, but rather evaluate his own performance and weaknesses.

“It is not possible to pinpoint a specific coach or factor as the sole cause for being dropped. It is better to hold oneself accountable and take responsibility,” Gul added.

It is worth mentioning that Mohammad Amir announced his retirement in 2020, citing deliberate negligence and mental torture by the then PCB management.

Earlier this year, it was reported that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Selection Committee expressed interest in the potential return of Amir to international cricket.

However, the cricket board denied these media reports, stating that no official had contacted the left-arm pacer regarding a potential comeback and that the reports were incorrect.

Source: Pro Pakistani

Time Running Out But Pakistan Team Yet to Receive NOC for Football Events

The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) is still awaiting a NOC from the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) for the team to participate in two tournaments in Mauritius and India.

The PFF has repeatedly requested the PSB to issue the NOC for a four-nation tournament in Mauritius and the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship in India.

The national football team is scheduled to participate in a 10-day four-nation event starting on June 8, where they will play against the hosts Mauritius, Kenya, and Djibouti.

The tournament will play a significant role for the national team as it provides an opportunity to gain valuable match practice before the upcoming SAFF Championship.

The PFF has signed an agreement with SAFF, confirming their participation in the event scheduled from June 21 to July 4, where they will play against Nepal, Kuwait, and India.

Last month, Ehsan-ur-Rehman, Minister for IPC, expressed no objections to the team traveling to India but requested documentation from the PFF Normalization Committee.

Yesterday, the PFF took a major step by appointing German football analyst Torben Witajewski as the national team’s analyst and assistant coach ahead of important events.

Earlier this week, the PFF announced a camp that will commence on May 31 in Lahore. The camp will allow the players to train and prepare together for the upcoming events.

Meanwhile, @TheRealPFF is still waiting for NOC from @SportsBoardPak for participation in 4-nation tournament in Mauritius & SAFF Cup in India. The PSB, it seems, is opting for usual bureaucratic delay tactics. Team has to fly to Mauritius on 8th June. So, they have only 7 days.

Source: Pro Pakistani

Cement Sales Increase by Over 19% in May

Cement sales in Pakistan increased by 19.41 percent in May 2023 with the total cement sales during May standing at 3.966 million tons against 3.321 million tons recorded during the same month of last fiscal year.

According to the data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association, local cement shipments by the industry during the month of May 2023 were 3.433 million tons compared to 3.150 million tons in May 2022, showing an increase of 9.01 percent.

Export despatches also increased by a healthy 210.13 percent as the volumes rose from 171,915 tons in May 2022 to 533,155 tons in May 2023.

In May 2023, North-based cement mills despatched 2.880 million tons of cement showing an increase of 8.85 percent against 2.646 million tons despatches in May 2022. South-based mills despatched 1.086 million tons of cement during May 2023 which was 60.77 percent more compared to the despatches of 0.676 million tons during May 2022.

North-based cement mills despatched 2.768 million tons of cement in domestic markets in May 2023 showing an increase of 7.58 percent against 2.573 million tons despatches in May 2022. South-based mills dispatched 664,891 tons of cement in local markets during May 2023 which was 15.36 percent more compared to the despatches of 576,385 during May 2022.

Exports from North-based mills increased by 53.83 percent as the quantities increased from 72,450 tons in May 2022 to 111,451 tons in May 2023. Exports from the South also increased by 323.97 percent to 421,704 tons in May 2023 from 99,465 tons during the same month last year.

During the first eleven months of the current fiscal year, total cement shipments (domestic and exports) were 40.518 million tons which is 14.93 percent lower than the 47.627 million tons dispatched during the corresponding period of last fiscal year.

Domestic shipments during this period were 36.528 million tons against 42.655 million tons during the same period last year showing a reduction of 14.36 percent. Export despatches were also 19.76 percent less as the volumes reduced to 3.990 million tons during the first eleven months of the current fiscal year compared to 4.972 million tons exports done during the same period of last fiscal year.

North-based mills despatched 29.925 million tons of cement domestically during the first eleven months of the current fiscal year showing a reduction of 15.27 percent from cement despatches of 35.316 million tons during July-May 2022.

Exports from the North increased by 19.69 percent to 974,126 tons during July-May 2023 compared with 813,902 tons exported during the same period last year. Total despatches by North-based mills reduced by 14.48 percent to 30.899 million tons during the first eleven months of the current financial year from 36.130 million tons during the same period of the last financial year.

Domestic despatches by South-based mills during July-May 2023 were 6.603 million tons showing a reduction of 10.03 percent over 7.339 million tons of cement dispatched during the same period of last fiscal year.

Exports from the South also declined by 27.48 percent to 3.015 million tons during July-May 2023 compared with 4.158 million tons exported during the same period last year. Total despatches by South-based mills reduced by 16.34 percent to 9.619 million tons during the first eleven months of the current financial year from 11.497 million tons during the same period of last financial year.

Source: Pro Pakistani

Pakistan values strong defence ties with Uzbekistan: Air Chief

Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu says Pakistan values its strong diplomatic, economic and defence relationship with Uzbekistan.

He expressed these views while talking to Uzbek Ambassador Aybek Arif Usmanov, who called on him in Islamabad on Thursday.

The Air Chief emphasized the longstanding religious, cultural and historical bond between the two countries which is exemplified through robust bilateral relations.

He also reiterated his unwavering commitment to enhancing the existing ties in realms of military-to-military cooperation and training.

He shared his pragmatic policy decisions aimed at modernizing Pakistan Air Force through smart acquisition of niche technologies, upgradation of infrastructure and revitalization of operational and training domains.

The Ambassador commended the exceptional progress made by Pakistan Air Force, particularly in the area of indigenization.

He pledged to play his role in further improving the existing bilateral ties at all levels.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Govt to Support Business Community in Upcoming Budget: Dar

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar Thursday assured business leaders that government will provide all possible assistance to the business community for economic stability and growth by bringing forward a business and people-friendly budget for FY24.

The minister made these comments during a meeting with a delegation from Islamabad Industrial Association led by its President Mohammad Ahmad regarding budget proposals at FBR (HQs).

The delegation thanked the minister for inviting the budgetary proposals from the business community. They discussed the current economic situation of the country with the minister and informed him about the issues being faced by them particularly related to taxation.

The delegation also presented their proposals to address those issues through the upcoming budget. They also guaranteed the minister of their continuous assistance to the government for economic development.

The minister appreciated the budgetary proposals of the delegation and expressed the resolve of the government in overcoming the issues being faced by the business community to ensure the economic growth of the country.

SAPM on Finance Tariq Bajwa, SAPM on Revenue Tariq Pasha, Chairman RRMC Ashfaq Yousif Tola, Chairman FBR, and senior officers from FBR attended the meeting.

Source: Pro Pakistani