Pakistan’s renowned fighter, Khan Saeed Afridi, made a spectacular return to the ring after three years, clinching the main title at the International Muay Thai Championship. In a gripping final round, he delivered a decisive victory, reaffirming his exceptional skills on the global stage. His win marks a significant achievement in his career, further cementing Pakistan’s presence in the world of combat sports.

Pakistani taekwondo athlete Syed Abu Huraira Shah was recognized by Sandrine Berno, the Mayor of Piossy, France, on Monday for his outstanding performance at the International Taekwondo Championship held from February 8-9. Huraira secured a bronze medal in the senior category while competing against top athletes from around the world. The championship featured participation from over 2,000 athletes representing more than 20 countries, marking a significant milestone for Pakistan in the global martial arts arena. Notably, at just 19 years old, Huraira showcased exceptional skill and determination against seasoned competitors. Mayor Sandrine Berno presented the award to Huraira Shah, acknowledging his talent, dedication, and sportsmanship. This honor further highlights Pakistan’s growing reputation in international taekwondo and the potential of young athletes like Huraira.

Father, Mother and Son From Japan Embrace Islam

The newly-renovated National Stadium Karachi is set to be inaugurated tomorrow evening with a colourful ceremony featuring fireworks and a spectacular light show, while entry for the public will be free. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, in a statement, said that the stadium’s reconstruction, which began on September 28, 2024, and was completed on January 31, 2025.

Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja has said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are expanding their digital and economic partnership, aiming to foster innovation and investment in key technology sectors. Addressing LEAP 2025 technology event in Riyadh, she highlighted Pakistan's commitment to leveraging technology for economic growth. She said Pakistan's IT exports have surged by 28%, reaching to 1.86 billion dollars, underscoring the sector's robust expansion.

For the first time in history, the sacred covering of the Holy Kaaba, known as the Kiswa, is being exhibited outside Makkah, offering visitors a unique opportunity to witness its intricate craftsmanship up close. The Kiswa, which Muslims around the world face in prayer, is being showcased at the Islamic Arts Biennale held at King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah. This interactive display provides insight into the detailed artistry involved in its creation, from hand-weaving to embroidery with gold and silver threads. The event, running until May 25, aims to highlight the rich heritage of Islamic arts and the centuries-old tradition of Kiswa-making.

Saudi fast-food giant Albaik has decided to start operations in Pakistan and is expected to open outlets in major cities, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan said in Jeddah on Saturday. The minister visited Albaik’s plants and met Pakistani employees working there. During the visit, Albaik confirmed that its plan to launch operations in Pakistan was in its final stages following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU).

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has expressed the desire to work for more robust relations between Pakistan and United Kingdom (UK), state-owned Radio Pakistan reported. According the report, the finance minister engaged with the British Parliamentary Undersecretary of State for Middle East, Pakistan and Afghanistan Hamish Falconer in Portugal. Furthermore, the two sides dicussed “matters of mutual interest including investment opportunities in Pakistan in energy, minerals, and infrastructure sectors”. During the meeting, Muhammad Aurangzeb also said that Pakistan and the United Kingdom have enjoyed close and cordial relations marked by mutual trust and engagement.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said that the country’s economy was set to take off following a year of efforts by the government’s economic team to restore stability. Addressing an event held to celebrate ‘Youm-i-Tameer-o-Taraqqi’, he claimed that the financial sector had overcome significant challenges and was now on a path to sustained recovery and progress. “Pakistan’s journey from darkness to light in a year is the result of a collective effort,” the PM said, noting that the government had successfully engaged with the IMF to secure a $7 billion, three-year programme last year, which prevented the country from defaulting.

Pakistan’s cyclist Ilyas Ali Jawaid has bagged a gold medal in the Individual Time Trial at the Asian Road and Para Cycling Championship in Thailand. Competing against top cyclists from Asia, Ilyas Ali clinched first place with an impressive time. This is a moment of great honor for Pakistan and Ilyas Ali’s outstanding performance at the continental level showcases country’s growing potential in international cycling.

Quetta's Bugti Stadium to be equipped with floodlights

Growing up in the rugged northern reaches of Pakistan, Anita Karim honed her combat skills fighting with three older brothers who pulled no punches. The bruising experience prepared her for a career in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) — blending Thai kickboxing, Japanese judo and wrestling — and she is now the nation’s pre-eminent woman fighter. “The village where I come from, they support women fighters,” she told AFP. “But when I started MMA, they had no awareness of this sport.”

The Sindh Government on Saturday launched the Thar Desert Train Safari, an initiative aimed at promoting tourism and highlighting the cultural richness of the region. The train will operate from Karachi to Chhore near Pakistan’s border with India, passing through Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas, offering passengers a glimpse of Sindh’s vibrant culture and stunning desert landscapes.

Pakistan's overall budget has turned from a surplus into a deficit of Rs1.54 trillion, amounting to 1.2% of the gross domestic product (GDP), with a statistical discrepancy of Rs0.43 trillion, The News reported on Saturday. The country's overall fiscal balance turned from an overall surplus in the first quarter (July-September) period into a deficit for the first six months (July-Dec) period of the current fiscal year just ahead of the upcoming International Monetary Fund's (IMF) full-fledged mission for holding first review talks under the $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) by the end of February.

The ICC Tri-Nation Series trophy was officially unveiled in a grand ceremony held in Lahore. Captains of the participating teams posed with the prestigious trophy, marking the beginning of the much-anticipated ODI tournament. The tri-series, featuring Pakistan, South Africa, and New Zealand, promises thrilling cricket action as teams battle for supremacy. With the stage set, fans eagerly await the high-stakes encounters in this exciting competition.

The biggest match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will take place between the defending champions, Pakistan, and India on February 23 in Dubai. The excitement among cricket fans is soaring to new heights for this match. This ICC event is also referred to as the "Mini World Cup." In past encounters, Pakistan has held an advantage over its traditional rival, India, in the ICC Champions Trophy. The upcoming match will be the sixth encounter between Pakistan and India in the tournament, to be played at the Dubai International Stadium.

Pakistan is set to renegotiate its liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply agreement with Qatar, through a provision that permits either party to review or terminate the 10-year deal after a decade. The decision comes amid rising energy costs, as the government aims to secure more favourable terms to meet the country’s growing energy demands.

Pakistan's First Donkey Slaughterhouse starts production in Gwadar

Pakistan has made a significant leap in deep space exploration with the signing of a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) and the China National Space Administration (CNSA), according to an official statement issued on Thursday. The agreement was signed on February 5th, 2025 in the presence of the President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, and President of China, Xi Jinping. The MoU paves the way for Pakistan's first indigenous lunar rover to be part of China's Chang'e-8 mission, set for launch in 2028.

An anti-corruption court in Lahore on Thursday acquitted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shahbaz in the Ramzan Sugar Mills case. Anti-Corruption Court Judge Sardar Iqbal Dogar announced the verdict, which was reserved on Monday. The said case pertains to allegations accusing PM Shehbaz, then-Punjab chief minister, of misuse of authority by utilising public funds for the construction of a sludge carrier to facilitate the Ramzan Sugar Mills, owned by his sons.