Jamaat-e-Islami chief Hafiz Naimur Rehman inaugurated Pak Wonder Ground in Paposh Nagar and launched a football tournament to popularize the sport and provide wholesome recreational activities to the youth.

Speaking at the ceremony, Hafiz Naim said the government had failed to provide proper sports facilities to the youth. He claimed that those in power had illegally divided the land and occupied the park, adding that the people had rejected the culprits.

He said Jamaat-e-Islami received the highest number of votes in the local elections, but the ruling class did not allow the mayor to take office. Despite limited resources, he said, his party worked beyond its available powers and resources rather than simply complaining. He praised Nazimabad City Chairman Syed Muhammad Muzaffar and his team for restoring the area for public use. Hafiz Naeem said that Afghanistan Jamaluddin School was also repaired and renovated under the guidance of Nazimabad city administration. He expressed concern about the free sale of drugs across the country and the increasing presence of drugs near educational institutions and playgrounds. He argued that boys and girls are trained to use drugs and that drug centers cannot operate without the connivance of local police departments.

Jamaat-e-Islami leaders also criticized the excavation of roads in Karachi in the name of Red Line, Yellow Line and Green Line projects. He said that by providing positive activities for young people, they can achieve success in sports and education and bring visibility to the country.

He said efforts are being made to help young people become better athletes, along with education. Hafiz Naeem announced that a football tournament involving 16 of the city’s best teams would be held at the Pak Wonder Ground. The winning team will receive a cash prize of Rs 100,000 and the second placed team will receive Rs 50,000. He described Mohsin Yousafzai as a prominent footballer who trained players in Pakistan.

He urged those who want to develop a strong football team in Karachi to contact Al Khidmat and said that football kits would also be provided. He encouraged the players to start a campaign to repair the stadium and pledged to support Jamaat-e-Islami through soccer kits and other resources.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has expressed deep concern over reports regarding party founder Imran Khan’s health and said the news is not encouraging.

Speaking to the media in Islamabad, Gohar said a petition has been filed seeking implementation of the August 18 Supreme Court order. He said the party requested the court to schedule an early hearing to resolve the matter.

He said a meeting with Imran Khan took place and Salman Safdar returned after meeting the former prime minister. Gohar added that the party had received instructions regarding Imran Khan’s health and stressed that there should be no compromise on his medical well-being.

The PTI chairman said the party wants the Supreme Court’s August 18 judgment to be implemented. He added that the party’s long march had ended and the provincial government had also gone.

Gohar called for an end to the arrest and detention of party leaders and workers and demanded the immediate release of Imran Khan’s sisters. He said further escalation of political tensions in the country cannot be allowed and the situation must be brought to an end.

British Minister of State for Security Dan Jarvis visited Pakistan and held meetings with senior officials, during which the two countries agreed to expand cooperation in counter-terrorism, drug control, cybercrime, immigration and other security-related areas.

Jarvis reportedly met Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. Discussions focused on the situation in Afghanistan, regional security, counterterrorism, and joint countermeasures against serious organized crime.

The two countries agreed to expand substantive cooperation in the fight against terrorism, organized crime, illegal immigration and visa fraud. They also stressed the need to improve information sharing, strengthen cooperation between law enforcement agencies, and take more effective measures against criminal and terrorist networks.

Mr Jarvis said Pakistan and the UK face common security threats and working together to overcome them can improve the security of both countries. During his visit to the Home Office, Prime Minister Jarvis also met with Mr Naqvi and Home Minister Talal Chaudhry. Delegation-level consultations were also held between the two countries.

The discussions covered cooperation in counterterrorism, narcotics control, NADRA, cybercrime, immigration, coast guards and training programmes. The British minister praised the Federal Investigation Agency’s performance in preventing illegal immigration and said cybercrime was an international challenge requiring coordinated efforts by all countries. Mr Jarvis acknowledged Pakistan’s sacrifices and efforts in the fight against terrorism. The two countries also agreed to conclude a memorandum of understanding on counter-narcotics cooperation soon. The proposed agreement would enable full cooperation between the UK National Crime Agency and Pakistan’s counter-narcotics force. Mr Naqvi said Pakistani authorities had thwarted 330 drug trafficking cases into the UK in recent years. The two countries also agreed to hold a meeting of a working group established between the interior ministries in the near future. Mr. Naqvi praised the progress of the skill development project, saying it is important for capacity building of Pakistan’s institutions. British High Commissioner Jane Marriott and senior officials from Pakistan’s home affairs, law enforcement, immigration and security departments also attended the meeting.