ISLAMABAD, Nov 13 (APP): Pakistan junior team coach Tahir Zaman is
optimistic that his Under-21 team will do well in Asia Cup, especially
after playing several test matches against Pakistan Whites recently.
Pakistan juniors, who performed poorly in the Sultan of Johor
invitational event, held in Malaysia last month must be among the top three nations in the Junior Asia Cup to qualify for Junior World Cup.Being the host, India has already qualified for the event.Junior Asia Cup which starts on Saturday in Kuantan.
“The matches in Johor Baru were the first for many in my young squad …
the six games (in the Sultan of Johor Cup) helped the players to know where they stand. We went back home and had another four matches with our senior side … these matches have been very useful,” Tahir, who is in Malaysia with junior hockey team for Asia Cup was quoted as saying by Malaysian website www.thestar.com on Friday.
“We’ve got the structure, now it’s all about putting them into
practice and perform.”Pakistan reached in Kuantan on Tuesday and had a game with China on Wednesday.
Although they lost 2-1, Tahir was happy that they had a chance to
acclimatise to the conditions in Kuantan.
He said Pakistan had two targets. “The first is to qualify for the
Junior World Cup (in New Delhi, India, next year). Once we’ve achieved that, we’ll look at regaining the Junior Asia Cup,” he added.
The coach also believed that new skipper Ahmad Shakeel Butt could use
his experience to guide the younger players.
“Ahmad was not available for the Johor tournament. His return is a major
boost as he is a very experienced player. Like Mohamed Dilber, he is a member of the senior team”.
“The changes to the team have been minimal. This will allow us to have
greater experience in the side and they will be in a better position to understand our style of play.”
Besides Ahmad, the other two new players in the team are Mohamed Adnan
and Mohamed Adnan Anwar. The three players from the Sultan of Johor Cup dropped are Shah Faisal Shah, Mohammad Naveed and Sikandar Mustafa.
Pakistan are in Group B with South Korea, Oman and Bangladesh. Group A
comprises Malaysia, India, Japan and China.
Pakistan will start their campaign against Bangladesh.”The group phase
is not that important, but we’d like to finish in the top two so that we can have an easier quarter-final,” said Tahir.
“Under this format, all the teams will make the quarter-finals. So, that
one quarter-final match is the cruncher. A win will take us through to the Junior World Cup. It’s the same with all teams”.
Tahir Zaman hopes improved performance by juniors in Asia Cup
Foreign exchange rates
KARACHI, Nov 13 (APP): The Exchange Rates Committee of Financial Markets Association of Pakistan issued the following exchange rates bulletin here on Friday.
Foreign Currency Account Scheme
KARACHI, Nov 13 (APP): The Foreign Exchange Rates Committee of Financial Markets Assocaition of Pakistan issued the following Base Rate here on Friday.
Currency rates of NBP
KARACHI, Nov 13 (APP): Following are the selling/buying rates of major currencies issued by the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) here on Friday.
NBP Exchange Rates
KARACHI, Nov 13 (APP): Treasury Management Division of the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) on Friday issued the following exchange rates:
ith threat of third intifada looming, Pakistan calls for settling Mideast conflict through creation of ‘viable’ Palestinian state
UNITED NATIONS, Nov 13 (APP): Underscoring the forecast of a “third and more intense intifada”, Pakistan on Thursday called for a settlement of the Middle East conflict through an independent, contiguous and viable State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Sharif, Rahmon briefed over CASA-1000 project
MURREE, Nov 13 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon on Friday were briefed over the CASA-1000 project for the supply of electricity from Central Asia to Pakistan.
The two leaders agreed on the early implementation of Central
Asia South Asia-1000 project as they met at the Governor’s House of
Murree’s picturesque hills.
Following their one-on-one talks held Thursday in Islamabad,
Prime Minister Sharif and President Rahmon held second round of
exclusive meeting in Murree to discuss bilateral matters.
Later, the two leaders were briefed about the execution of
CASA-1000 project.
Minister-in-waiting Khawaja Asif, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar,
PM’s Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and PM’s Special
Assistant Tariq Fatemi were present.
From Tajikistan side, Foreign Minister Sirojidin Aslov,
Minister for Internal Affairs Ramazon Rahimzoda and President’s
Assistant on Foreign Affairs Erkinkhon Rakhmatullozoda also joined
the meeting.
ECP summons meeting on Nov 14 to review law, order situation in Sindh
ISLAMABAD, Nov 13 (APP): Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has summoned a meeting on Saturday (Nov 14) to review arrangements and issues of law and order situation in Sanghar, Badin, Tharparkar, Umerkot, Nowshero Feroz districts of Sindh Province for the conduct of second Phase of Local Government Elections.
WB approves US $500 mln to support energy reforms in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD, Nov 13 (APP): World Bank approved the second Development Policy Credit (DPC-II) worth US $500 million to support Pakistan’s energy reforms.
New BISP survey to identify needy being planned: Senate informed
ISLAMABAD, Nov 13 (APP): Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Friday informed the Senate that the government was planning to conduct a new survey under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) to identify needy across the country.
ECP increases polling time for upcoming LG polls in ICT
ISLAMABAD, Nov 13 (APP): Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has increased time duration to cast ballots for upcoming Local Bodies Elections in 50 Union Councils of Islamabad Capital territory (ICT) on Nov 30.
PBC plays significant role in socio-economic development
ISLAMABAD, Nov 13 (APP): Director General, Radio Pakistan Syed Muhammad Imran Gardezi has said that the organization is going to extend its reach across the country through new high range transmitters.
Japanese drummers, folk dancers to entertain Islooites on Nov 14
ISLAMABAD, Nov 13 (APP): Japanese drummers featuring Wadaiko drums, folk dancers and singers will entertain the fun lovers of federal capital here on November 14.
KP Senior Minister to open workshop on Dairy Science Park
PESHAWAR, Nov 13 (APP): Senior Minister Local Government and Rural Development, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inayatullah Khan will inaugurate the Third International Workshop on Dairy Science Park on Monday (Nov 16).
Road repair project near Dargai check post to be completed in 2016: Senate informed
ISLAMABAD, Nov 12 (APP): Minister for Frontier Regions (SAFRON) Abdul Qadir Baloch Thursday informed the Senate that road maintenance work near Dargai check post in Malakand Agency would be completed in 2016.
Govt releases over Rs 430 mln to PHF during last five years: Senate told
ISLAMABAD, Nov 12 (APP): Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada Thursday informed the Senate that the government has released over Rs 430 million financial assistance to Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) during the last five years for promotion of hockey.
In written reply in the House, Riaz Pirzada said that besides, the
grants-in-aid were extended to the federation in the shape of annual and special grants.
Riaz Pirzada said the PSB also provide Rs. 2.5 million to PHF every year
for promotion of Hockey at grass-root level.
He said the annual grant is released for organization of mandatory
national championships and to meet its day to day expenses and the special grants for participation in international events at home and abroad.
Riaz Hussain Pirzada said the PHF was affiliated with Pakistan Sports
Board (PSB) and responsible for promotion of hockey in the country.
The steps being taken by the government to groom youngsters and find the
best talent PSB sponsored the visit of Pakistan hockey team to participate in the Qualifying Round – Fintro Hockey World League Semi Finals at Antwerp, Belgium from June 14 to 06 July, 2015 by squeezing its resources, he added.
The minister said the government has taken extra ordinary measure to
ensure the participation of Pakistan hockey team in the next Olympics in Brazil.
He said the government has been actively engaged in promoting the hockey
as a national game. Government has rendered every possible assistance to the federation.
The minister said that at present the total 27 synthetic hockey turfs
available in the country.
“Hockey is the game of our national pride and it has played a very
vital role in winning laurels and good name to Pakistan in the international arena,” the minister added.
He said the government was extending full cooperation to PHF to hunt
talent and groom youngsters to promote hockey in the country and achieve good results at international level.
Minister for capacity building of vocational training institutes
ISLAMABAD, Nov 12 (APP): Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training Muhammad Baligh-ur-Rehman Thursday underlined the need for enhancing capacity of the institutions imparting vocational training in various sectors to produce skilled workforce
across the country.
Tajik President given guard of honour at PM House
ISLAMABAD, Nov 12 (APP): President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon was given warm welcome on his arrival at the Prime Minister’s House here on Thursday.
NBP Exchange Rates
KARACHI, Nov 12 (APP): Treasury Management Division of the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) on Thursday issued the following exchange rates: