Tuesday, September 8th, 2026
Pakistan storm into Asia Cup semis
ISLAMABAD, SEP 8: Pakistan blasted their way into the semi-finals of the Men’s Junior Asia Cup 2026 with a convincing 5-2 victory over Malaysia in their key Pool B encounter at Moqi, China, on Tuesday. This is the third straight win from Pakistan in the group and they have reached the summit with nine points. Malaysia and China are tied at six points each and their crucial encounter on Wednesday will decide the second semi-finalists from this group. Malaysia made the stronger start and took the lead in the ninthRead More
Pakistan eye Asian Games upset
KARACHI: Pakistan’s men’s volleyball team are aiming to defy the odds at the Asian Games in Japan this month, with manager and former captain Naseer Ahmed confident the side can challenge stronger opponents and push for a place in the top eight. Pakistan have been drawn in Group A alongside hosts Japan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in the 16-team competition, which runs from September 26 to October 4. “Yes, I am confident that the team will do well,” Naseer told The Express Tribune in an interview. Pakistan face a daunting openingRead More
Fazl warns against ‘imposing’ new provinces, demanding debate on restructuring
ISLAMABAD, SEP 8: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has warned against imposing decisions on the creation of new provinces without debate, while accusing successive policies of weakening Pakistan politically and economically. Addressing a Khatm-e-Nabuwwat conference at the Wahdat Road Cricket Ground in Lahore, Fazl said that September 6, 1965, marked an important episode in protecting Pakistan’s geographical boundaries. He said the state could only be strong if its people were secure and respected, arguing that political divisions had weakened the country. “We are not against creating units onRead More
Russia backs Iran’s inclusion in Makkah defence pact to ensure regional stability
MOSCOW: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has called for Iran to be included in a regional security framework for the Gulf, saying its participation would be an important step towards regional stability, according to Turkish news agency Anadolu. Lavrov’s remarks came as he discussed the Makkah Joint Defence Pact signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye on August 7 as a possible framework for broader regional security cooperation. The trilateral agreement provides for collective security and defence cooperation among the three countries, with the Strategic Political and Defence Committee establishedRead More
Beyond the Four Provinces: History, Hopes and Hazards of Further Division
by Muhamad Mohsin Iqbal Pakistan’s debate on the formation of new provinces continues to surface with renewed vigour, driven by the practical difficulties of governing a nation whose population now exceeds two hundred and forty million within an administrative framework that has remained largely unchanged since 1970. At present the country comprises four provinces—Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan—alongside the Islamabad Capital Territory and the territories of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Calls for additional units, whether limited to South Punjab or Hazara or extending to schemes of twelve,Read More