US companies are seeking to invest in Pakistan's largely untapped minerals sector that boasts one of the world's largest copper and gold deposits, the Pakistani government said Wednesday. Eric Meyer, Senior Bureau Official for the State Department’s Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, conveyed that interest directly to Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during meeting in Islamabad, according to a government statement. The meeting came a day after Meyer attended the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum—an international summit aimed at attracting foreign investment in the country’s mining sector. Apart from gold and copper, Pakistan is also rich in lithium used to make batteries, as well as other minerals. The summit has drawn participation from major international companies, including Canada-based Barrick Gold, as well as government officials from the United States, Saudi Arabia, China, Turkey, the United Kingdom, Azerbaijan, and other nations. Pakistan's massive copper and gold deposits are located in Reko Diq, a district in restive Balochistan, which has witnessed a surge in attacks by Baloch separatists in recent years. Pakistan’s powerful army chief Gen. Asim Munir had told foreign companies and investors at the summit that the military would ensure their security. India’s Parliament approves controversial Waqf Bill amid opposition protests The statement said Meyer “acknowledged the potential of Pakistan’s mineral sector,” adding that American companies are interested in exploring investment opportunities. He reaffirmed Washington’s interest in expanding bilateral cooperation, including in such sectors as trade, investment, and counterterrorism, the statement said. Sharif said Pakistan’s minerals sector offered “immense opportunities” and encouraged US companies to take advantage of the investment potential. Sharif expressed Islamabad’s desire to strengthen ties with the Trump administration. Meyer’s visit marks the first by a Trump administration official since the US imposed a 29% tariff on Pakistani exports as part of his trade war. Sharif's office said in a statement later Wednesday that the Pakistani prime minister will dispatch a high-level delegation to Washington to negotiate with Trump administration officials over the tariffs issue and to discuss how to enhance bilateral trade.

Hasan Nawaz made an unbeaten 105 from 45 balls as Pakistan beat New Zealand by nine wickets in the third Twenty20 international Friday to keep alive the five-match series. Pakistan won the toss and was able to bowl first, reversing the trend of the first two matches which New Zealand won by nine and five wickets. Nawaz was supported in his first century by captain Salman Ali Agha, who made 51 from 31 balls in an unbroken partnership of 133 for the second wicket. Pakistan finished at 207-1, running down the home team's total of 204 with four full overs to spare to inflict New Zealand's heaviest T20 loss in terms of wickets. Nawaz made ducks in both of the first two matches. “I failed in the first two games and I thank the team for backing me,” he said through an interpreter. "When I went out to bat I wanted to score my first international run. “After I scored the first run the pressure was released and I wanted to win the game.” Mark Chapman made 94 from 44 balls before New Zealand was bowled out with one ball remaining in their 20 overs. Chapman hit 11 fours and four sixes but lacked support. Captain Michael Bracewell's 31 was the next-best effort by the Kiwis, who lost wickets regularly. Tim Seifert made 19, including 16 runs from the second over. Haris Rauf took 3-29 in an excellent bowling performance in the middle of the innings. The Pakistan selectors kept Nawaz and Mohammad Haris at the top of the order, giving them time to acclimatize to New Zealand conditions. Their opening partnerships produced only one run in each of the first two matches. But on Friday they put on 75 for the first wicket, within the six-over power play. Haris made 41 from 20 balls with four fours and three sixes to get the Pakistan innings off to the rapid start it needed. He hit two sixes from the first over bowled by Kyle Jamieson as Pakistan rushed to 50 from only four overs. Jamieson, who took 3-8 in the first match, conceded 30 runs from his first two overs. Pakistan was 124-1 at the midpoint of its innings where New Zealand had been 105-3. The 13th over bowled by Jacob Duffy went for 19 runs including two sixes as Pakistan's run rate ticked up over 12 per over. Rotating the strike and taking at least a boundary from each over, Nawaz reached his half century from 26 balls. Salman posted his first T20 international half century from 30 balls.    

A train carrying hundreds of passengers has been attacked and halted by armed militants in Pakistan's Balochistan region. The Baloch Liberation Army confirmed it had attacked the Jaffar Express Train which was travelling from Quetta to Rawalpindi, BBC reports. The militant group has also claimed the train is under their control. Pakistani police told local reporters that they had received information that three people, including the train driver, had been injured in the attack. Police added that security forces had been sent to the scene of the attack. UNF US legal troubles for tycoon Adani expose shortcomings in India's booming solar sector A Balochistan government spokesman told local newspaper Dawn that there were reports of "intense firing" at the train. The BLA claims that it is holding a number of passengers including security officers hostage, and has warned of "severe consequences" if an attempt is made to rescue those it is holding. However, officials have not yet confirmed that anyone is being held hostage. A senior police official from the area bordering Sibi said "the train remains stuck just before a tunnel surrounded by mountains." Meanwhile the country's interior minister Mohsin Nawaz has condemned the attack and said he prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.

A city in northwestern Pakistan marked a day of mourning on Wednesday, following a twin suicide bombing at a military base that claimed the lives of 18 people, including five soldiers, reports AP. A militant group with ties to the Pakistani Taliban took responsibility for the bombing in Bannu, which also left 42 others injured, some critically. The city has been targeted by militants before. Pakistani mortar fire injures Afghan journalists The bombers detonated their explosives to breach the base's perimeter wall while many residents were breaking their fast for Ramadan or praying at a nearby mosque. The blasts tore off roofs and caused extensive damage to the mosque. Other attackers entered the base, sparking a gun battle with the troops. An army statement on Wednesday confirmed that five soldiers and 16 militants were killed. Gunfire could still be heard early Wednesday as security forces searched the area for militants. At the site, a mechanical digger was clearing rubble where homes once stood, and debris-covered prayer mats were found scattered at the mosque. Joint funeral prayers for the victims were held at a sports complex. “All educational institutions are closed,” said Alam Khan, a community elder from Bannu. “Most shops are also shut. Rescue workers have completed their operation, recovering the bodies of three worshippers trapped under the collapsed roof of the mosque.” Pakistan plans to expel entire Afghan refugee population: Afghan Embassy Bannu is located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, near the Afghan border, an area where several armed groups operate. Jaish Al-Fursan, a group affiliated with the Pakistani Taliban, has claimed responsibility for the attack. Bannu has previously been targeted by militants. Last November, a suicide car bomb killed 12 soldiers and injured others at a security post. In July, a suicide bomber detonated a vehicle packed with explosives, while additional militants opened fire near the outer wall of a military facility. On the same day, a bomb exploded at a shop in Nal, a town in Khuzdar district in southwestern Balochistan province, killing three people and injuring five, according to Deputy Commissioner Iqbal Dashti. Nal is frequented by people from Sindh and Punjab provinces. No immediate group claimed responsibility, though suspicion is likely to fall on Baloch separatists, who have previously targeted non-local residents in their efforts to seek independence from the central government in Islamabad. Also on Wednesday, a drive-by shooting in Peshawar's Uzair Town killed intelligence officer Shahid Anwar as he drove to work. The assailant, riding a motorcycle, fled the scene, according to police officer Adnan Khan.

Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan has won the coin toss and opted to bat first against India in their Group A game at the 2025 Champions Trophy on Sunday. The arch rivals meet at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium despite Pakistan hosting the tournament, as India is playing its league games – and potential knockout matches – in the United Arab Emirates. Indian cricket authorities have offered no formal statement about refusing to play in Pakistan, but some officials have suggested that the decision was based on security concerns. Passion, politics and patriotism meld as Pakistan and India clash in cricket's fiercest rivalry Pakistan got off to a poor start in home conditions earlier on – it lost the opening game of the tournament against New Zealand by 60 runs. It faces a must-win situation against India today to stay alive in the tournament. India won its opener against Bangladesh by six wickets in Dubai and will look to carry forward its winning momentum. Another win will confirm its spot in the semi-finals. The last time these two sides met in the Champions Trophy was back in 2017, where Pakistan beat India in the final by 180 runs in London. Pakistan has made one change – Fakhar Zaman is ruled out owing to an injury sustained in the opening game. Imam ul Haq is his replacement and comes into the playing eleven. India has fielded an unchanged eleven. The pitch at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium is expected to be slow in nature – a dual-paced surface that could aid both pacers and spinners as the game progresses. Evening dew could help the chasing side. Inglis leads Australia to record chase against England in Champions Trophy thriller Line-ups: India: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, Lokesh Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed

It is a sports rivalry like no other in the world. When India and Pakistan face off in Dubai on Sunday, the cricket contest will be amped up by so much more — the 78 years of bitterness between the two arch rival nations, the heightened political hostilities, and the patriotic zeal of hundreds of millions of people. Cricket-mad nations India and Pakistan are competing in the game’s 50-over format for the coveted eight-nation Champions Trophy tournament that began on Wednesday in Pakistan. While six national teams have travelled to Pakistan for the tournament, India has refused to go there by leveraging its strong influence on International Cricket Council, the game's global governing body. Indian cricket authorities have offered no formal statement about refusing to play in Pakistan, but some officials have suggested that the decision was based on security concerns. India will play all its matches — including the one against Pakistan — at a neutral venue in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The game's political undertones In both India and Pakistan, cricket has become a symbol of national identity and every clash grabs the attention of more than a billion fans. And Sunday's match comes at a time when relations between the two neighbors have hit a new low. That animosity largely stems from the two countries' dispute over Kashmir, a restive Himalayan region over which they have fought two wars. Nuclear-armed rivals each administer part of Kashmir, but both claim the territory in its entirety. Compounding the territorial dispute are heightened tensions stemming from the deadly 2008 Mumbai attacks that India blamed on Pakistani militants, a charge Islamabad denies. And sporting relations inevitably ebb and flow with the politics. Bilateral cricket ties have remained suspended since 2008, and the two national teams have only played each other in global events where they are always paired together in a group to ensure there is a contest between them. Even though the Indian team has not travelled to Pakistan since 2008, Pakistan played in India in 2023 during the World Cup, including before a hostile crowd at a cricket stadium named after Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Inglis leads Australia to record chase against England in Champions Trophy thriller So-called “cricket diplomacy” has occasionally thawed out relations but that hasn't been the case under Modi. His Hindu nationalist government has taken a tough stance on resuming friendlier cricket ties with Pakistan with many senior ministers saying Indian team won’t play in the country. Dozens of people in India and disputed Kashmir have also faced police complaints and sometimes even jail for cheering for the Pakistani team. “Cricket is the strongest currency in the eyes of this government which they have used to instigate resentment and anger against Pakistan,” said Sharda Ugra, an Indian sports writer. Ugra said while the fans of the two countries are eager to watch the two nations play more often, the contest “has been held hostage to ugly politics.” The eyes of hundreds of millions are on the game In sheer numbers, viewership for the India-Pakistan match dwarfs the Super Bowl in what Ugra calls the “greatest sports rivalry in the world” bar none. When the two sides played against each other in 2023 in India, the estimated viewership — on cable television and streaming services — was around 400 million. In comparison, this year’s Super Bowl averaged a 127.7 million across all platforms in the U.S. Organizers expect similar numbers for Sunday’s contest that will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. And it's a guaranteed windfall as tickets for the game sold out within minutes while billion-dollar broadcast deals have been hammered out. Media in both the countries are cashing in too. Pakistani and Indian TV news channels are providing wall-to-wall coverage. In recent weeks, TV commercials in both countries used patriotic fervor to poke fun at each other. Local authorities and private companies in both the countries have announced that they would set up giant screens in some city centers and inside shopping malls. Fans want more For many fans, this clash holds more value than any other sporting event in the world — and they want more of it. Duckett’s 165 powers England to 351 against Australia In India’s western city of Mumbai, cricket coach Anil Sawant plans to watch the game at a clubhouse along with his friends on a giant screen. “These matches should take place often,” 57-year-old Sawant said, as his students honed their skills during practice at the city’s Shivaji Park ground — a favorite for cricketers of all ages. Mohammad Ahmed, a 27-year-old accountant, has also planned to host seven of his friends at his home in Pakistan’s Rawalpindi city. All of them will watch the game on a big screen and he plans to serve them special chicken biryani. “And of course French fries and soft drinks will be on the menu too,” Ahmed said with a smile.

Arch-rivals India and Pakistan are all set to prove their cricketing prowess in the high-stake ICC Champions Trophy match on Sunday in Dubai. The high-voltage match brings together two neighbours, with India entering as tournament favorites and Pakistan looking to bounce back from an opening loss. India started their campaign with a six-wicket win against Bangladesh, riding on Shubman Gill’s century. They have been one of the most consistent teams in global tournaments, and they enter this match in strong form, having recently dominated England in a home series. Pakistan fined for slow over rate against New Zealand in Champions Trophy Their squad remained unchanged from the opening game, with the spin trio of Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel expected to play a key role on Dubai’s slow surface. In the pace department, Harshit Rana was preferred over Arshdeep Singh to partner Mohammed Shami in the first game, and India is likely to retain the same combination. India’s ODI form has been solid, winning four of their last five matches. Captain Rohit Sharma will look to lead from the front, while Virat Kohli’s experience in high-pressure games makes him a key figure in the batting lineup. Afghanistan aims for Champions Trophy glory, not just participation Pakistan had a tough start to their campaign, losing to New Zealand by 60 runs. Their batting struggled to keep up with the required rate, exposing vulnerabilities that India will look to exploit. Pakistan will miss the service of opener Fakhar Zaman who was ruled with a finger injury in the last match. To replace him, the Pakistan management added Imam-ul-Haq to the squad. Despite the early setback, Pakistan remains a strong team, particularly with their bowling attack. Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf form a potent pace trio, while spinners will also be crucial in Dubai’s conditions. Captain Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan will be key to stabilizing the batting lineup. India and Pakistan have a long-standing rivalry in ICC tournaments. While Pakistan famously defeated India in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, India has generally held the upper hand in global events, winning their last three ODI meetings.  

Pakistan’s 29-year wait to host a major International Cricket Council tournament ended Wednesday when it won the toss and elected to field in the Champions Trophy opener against New Zealand. Pakistan is the defending champion after beating archrival India in the final when the Champions Trophy was last played in 2017. India will be playing all its group matches in the United Arab Emirates, including the marquee game of the group stage on Sunday against Pakistan, because its government didn’t allow the cricketers to travel to Pakistan. The 1996 World Cup, co-hosted with India and Sri Lanka, was the last time Pakistan staged a major ICC event. Bangladesh confident despite underdog status as India clash looms New Zealand is on a high and is quite familiar with the conditions at the newly upgraded Karachi stadium after winning the tri-nation series last week against Pakistan and South Africa. Despite losing two frontline fast bowlers, Lockie Ferguson and Ben Sears, due to injuries, New Zealand has shaped up well for the Champions Trophy with all the top-order batters among runs. And the Black Caps spinners, led by Mitchell Santner's left-arm spin, have contained the opposition well in the middle overs. New Zealand also missed opening batter Rachin Ravindra for the opening game as the left-hander is still recovering from a blow on the forehead sustained during the tri-nation series opener at Lahore — one of the three cities hosting the Champions Trophy in Pakistan. Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf, who missed the last two games of the tri-nation series because of a side strain, passed a fitness test and was recalled in place of allrounder Faheem Ashraf. New Zealand, which won the inaugural edition of the tournament in 1998, has won all its previous three Champions Trophy games against Pakistan in 2000, 2006 and 2009. Pakistan, New Zealand, Bangladesh and New Zealand are in Group A. Group B comprises England, South Africa, Australia and Afghanistan. Nahid brings pace and promise as Bangladesh ready for Champions Trophy Test The top two teams in each group will qualify for the semifinals. The final is scheduled for March 9. If India qualifies for the final it will be played at Dubai, otherwise Lahore will host the championship decider. Line-ups: New Zealand: Will Young, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (captain), Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, Will O’Rourke. Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.

Pakistan head coach Aaqib Javed says there’s no harm in preparing wickets for spinners at home to get favorable results as Pakistan eyes a clean sweep against the West Indies in their two-match test series. Spin trio Noman Ali, Sajid Khan and Abrar Ahmed claimed all 20 wickets in Pakistan’s 127-run victory in the first test at Multan, which also hosts the second test starting Saturday. “If we had taken these decisions earlier, then we would have been in the race for the World Test Championship final,” Javed told reporters Friday. “The rule of test cricket is to win at home. If you win at home and you win 2-3 tests away, you become a strong candidate for the final.” Javed said “of course” they were right "to prepare a spin pitch against West Indies. Their batters are not as proficient against spin when compared to fast bowling.” Pakistan is No. 8 just ahead of last-place West Indies in the WTC standings with Australia and South Africa already into this June’s final at Lord’s. Pakistan lost 2-0 to Bangladesh at home and then trailed 1-0 against England before Javed took over the pitch preparations, drying out the 22-yard pitches in Multan and Rawalpindi with the help of industrial-sized fans and patio heaters. Australia's women win Ashes series with another T20 victory over England The engineered pitches favoured the home spinners as Pakistan recorded a 2-1 series win against England and followed it with another convincing win against the West Indies. “We think we can prepare these pitches in every center of Pakistan, and it should be as difficult to beat Pakistan here as it is to beat Australia or South Africa away,” Javed said. “People should know if they’re going to Pakistan, they will have to do something extraordinary to beat Pakistan.” The spin domination has seen Pakistan going with just one fast bowler, Khurram Shahzad, in the first test. Without naming any present day Pakistan fast bowler, Javed said Pakistan pacers have got a dip in their art of reverse swing with the old red-ball once used efficiently by the likes of Shoaib Akhtar, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis in the past. “We used to be strong on reverse swing, but now that skill level has gone down,” Javed said. “We have told our fast bowlers if you want to take wickets here, their reverse swing skill will have to go up.” The spin pitches in Pakistan have seen the home team batters struggle against quality spinners such as West Indies left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican, who took a match haul of 10 wickets in the first test. “If foreign players are struggling on these pitches, so are our players because they have never played on these pitches,” Javed said. "We have told them their training and practice routines will be geared towards this, and we will change domestic pitches, too.” Pakistan starts the next WTC cycle in October when it hosts South Africa for two test matches.

Pakistan's opposition said Thursday the government is seeking to further suppress freedom of speech a day after it proposed sweeping controls on social media that could include blocking platforms and sending users to prison for spreading disinformation. The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, introduced in the National Assembly by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on Wednesday, would create an agency with the power to order “unlawful and offensive content” blocked from social media, and to ban individuals and organizations from social media, AP reports. Social media platforms would be required to register with the new Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority, and those failing to comply with the law could face temporary or permanent bans. The law also makes spreading disinformation a criminal offense, punishable by three years in prison and a fine of 2 million rupees ($7,150). Landslides, flash floods in Indonesia kill 17, missing 8 The move comes nearly a year after Pakistan blocked the X platform ahead of an election that the opposition party of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan says was rigged. X is still blocked in the country, although many people use virtual private networks to access it, like in other countries with tight internet controls. Khan has a huge following on social media, especially X, where supporters frequently circulate demands for his release. Khan has been behind bars since 2023, when he was arrested for graft. Khan's party also uses social media to organize demonstrations. The leader of the opposition denounced the proposed legislation, saying it was aimed at further suppressing freedom of speech. Omar Ayub Khan, who is not related to the imprisoned former premier, said the bill could “lay a foundation for the suppression of voices advocating for constitutional rights”. Man sentenced to life for rape, murder of doctor in India The new agency would be able to order the immediate blocking of unlawful content targeting judges, the armed forces, parliament or provincial assemblies. The law also forbids uploading remarks from parliament that have been struck from the record. Pakistani media has faced growing censorship in recent years. Journalists have said they face state pressure to avoid using Imran Khan's name, and most TV stations have begun referring to him only as the “founder of the PTI" party. Human rights defenders and journalists' unions have vowed to oppose the law, but with the government holding a majority, its passage is all but assured. Afzal Butt, president of the Federal Union of Journalists, said the law was an attempt to suppress the media, social media and journalists. The government says the law is necessary to limit the spread of disinformation.