July 25, 2022

The United International Baseball League creates the first-ever professional baseball league to serve India, Pakistan, and the Middle East

Team of global sports executives partners with Hall of Fame Baseball Icons Mariano Rivera and Barry Larkin to launch league in Dubai

NEW YORK and DUBAI, UAE, July 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — The United International Baseball League (UIBL) announced today its plan to bring professional baseball to India, Pakistan, and the Middle East, beginning with an Inaugural Showcase that will take place in Dubai in February 2023. The UIBL has partnered with Hall of Fame baseball legends, Mariano Rivera and Barry Larkin – two of the sport’s most iconic and decorated stars, with a combined six World Series Championships and 25 All-Star Game selections – to help build, develop and grow the league.

UIBL executive team (L to R): Kanwal S. Sra, Founder, Chairman and CEO; Mariano Rivera, Co-President; Kash Shaikh, President and CMO

The Indian Subcontinent and the Middle East region are home to two billion people. More than 900 million of those people are fans of cricket – the world’s most popular bat and ball sport. While baseball exists in small pockets across South Asia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, there is an absence of professional leagues and a void of deep, grassroots player development expertise and infrastructure. The UIBL team is looking to change that.

“I’m very grateful to be a part of the UIBL’s exciting mission to inspire two billion new fans to fall in love with baseball,” said Rivera, professional baseball’s career leader in saves and games finished, and the only player ever unanimously elected to the Hall of Fame. “We believe there is an amazing opportunity to educate, inspire and entertain those cricket fans, and open their hearts to an exciting and culturally-relevant form of baseball.”

American baseball is a $13 billion business with nearly 100 million fans across the U.S. and Canada and a rabid following throughout Latin America. However, the game has yet to connect with South Asian and Middle Eastern sports fans, who collectively represent the largest cricket fan base in the world. In South Asia alone, more than 167 million people watched the International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 World Cup last year – 70 million more than the Super Bowl and over 150 million more than the World Series.

In contrast to baseball’s aging fan base, which has an average age of 57 years old – cricket fans are among the world’s youngest sports fans, with an average age of 34. The UIBL has plans to innovate and evolve the game to help capture and engage this younger, more diverse demographic.

“We want to honor the game, and we want to change it,” said Kanwal S. Sra, Founder, Chairman, and CEO, of the UIBL. “We’re excited to help share the beauty and heritage of the game with a part of the world that has yet to fully embrace it. And we’re also excited to do some things differently, acting on years of data, decades of research, and centuries of cultural understanding. Most importantly, we are passionate about helping unleash the next generation of Indian, Pakistani, and Emirati sports heroes that millions of fans will be able to connect with and relate to for years to come. There’s no place better place in the world to begin this journey than Dubai, one of the most iconic cities in the world. Dubai is driven by exceptional leaders with a shared vision of growth through sports and entertainment, and we are honored to partner with them.”

The UIBL will introduce new rule changes, create original gameplay concepts, and bring to life a more immersive viewing experience for fans at the stadium and home. In addition to innovations in gameplay and entertainment, the UIBL will pioneer a multi-country league format that will include players from across the world and enable international competition. The league has already begun activating its international scouting and South Asia-focused development program, with a vision to partner with exceptional local organizations to build UIBL Baseball Academies across the region.

“We truly believe that player development has to start at the grassroots level,” said Larkin, winner of nine Silver Slugger awards, three Gold Gloves, and one of only 42 players in history to win a World Series, an MVP award, and be inducted into the Hall of Fame. “I’ve spent the last twenty years of my life focused on helping young people learn the fundamentals of our great game, as well as the fundamentals of great leadership. That’s the beauty of baseball – when you teach it the right way with the right conviction, you can help young people succeed on and off the field. I’ve seen it here in the U.S., I’ve seen it during my time in Brazil, and I’ve witnessed it during my trips to East Asia. Now, I’m very excited to help bring that level of instruction and guidance to India, Pakistan, and the UAE.”

As part of its launch, the UIBL also introduced its brand logo and design, which artistically captures the most exciting moment in baseball – the home run. Each element of the brand is designed to both help educate the region on the game as well as inspire the imagination of younger fans.

“Not many moments in sports measure up to the energy and excitement of a home run,” said Kash Shaikh, President and Chief Marketing Officer of the UIBL. “The crack of the bat. The roar of the crowd. The elevation of the ball met by the rise in the stands. A home run can unite a stadium with a single swing. And it’s done just that for over a century. We wanted to capture that moment, and share some of that magic with a new generation of fans in South Asia and the Middle East. I can’t wait until our fans in Dubai can experience it for themselves.”

UIBL’s Inaugural Showcase will feature four franchises representing different parts of the world. Franchises, managers, coaches and rosters will be announced at a later date. All Showcase games will be played in Dubai.

For more information, visit uibl.pro.

About the UIBL

The United International Baseball League (UIBL) is the first-ever professional baseball league created to serve India, Pakistan, and the Middle East. Our vision is to help unite the world through our shared passions for sports, entertainment, and culture. With over two billion people and nearly one billion cricket fans within the region, we’re committed to bringing innovation, entertainment, and an international footprint to baseball to help inspire more fans to fall in love with the game. For more information, visit www.UIBL.pro.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1865352/United_International_Baseball_League_Executive_Team.jpg
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1865350/United_International_Baseball_League_Logo.jpg

July 25, 2022

Business community briefed about potential of Amazon platform to promote business activities

Islamabad, July 25, 2022 (PPI-OT):The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) in collaboration with Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) organized a training session on Amazon, which was attended by a large number of trading community. Adil Mukhtar, Assistant Director, TDAP gave a detailed presentation about Amazon Seller Registration Procedure, Product Projection and account management. Ms. Urva Hassan of TDAP gave a presentation on Payment Procedures and Amir Khan gave a presentation on Logistics. The participants were briefed about how to create an account on Amazon, its documentary requirements, how to write product features to get into top ranking during search on Amazon and Amazon’s criteria for suspension or cancellation of account due to supply of defective products to the consumers.

Addressing the session, Muhammad Shakeel Munir, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that Amazon provided a wider market to the sellers and buyers and they should capitalize on this e-commerce platform to achieve better growth in business. He said that the global e-commerce market was projected to cross USD 5 trillion in 2022 while online retail sales was projected to cross USD 6 trillion in 2023 and stressed that the Pakistani business community should try to capture better market share in this growing market to boost trade and exports. He said that Pakistan’s e-commerce market was projected to cross USD 7 billion in 2022 and USD 9 billion by 2025, which showed that Pakistan was emerging as a promising market for online businesses.

He said that Covid-19 pandemic has created many new opportunities for growth of e-commerce as offline businesses suffered losses and online businesses achieved better growth during the pandemic. He stressed that the traders should not make any compromise on the quality of products during online sales to retain the confidence of consumers. He emphasized that the government should further expand the ICT infrastructure across the country and ensure uninterrupted power supply as e-commerce and online businesses could not grow in an environment of frequent power shutdowns.

Jamshaid Akhtar Sheikh, Senior Vice President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry thanked TDAP for organizing training session in ICCI for the benefit of business community and said that ICCI would continue to collaborate with TDAP for organizing more programs on exports promotion and other topics for the education of business community. The participants asked many questions about doing business on Amazon and got their detailed answers.

For more information, contact:
Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI)
Chamber House, Aiwan-e-Sanat-o-Tijarat Road,
Mauve Area, G-8/1, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-2250526, 2253145, 8432676
Fax: +92-51-2252950
Email: icci@brain.net.pk, info@icci.com.pk
Website: www.icci.com.pk

July 25, 2022

Friendly countries are unwilling to trust or lend: Mian Zahid Hussain

Karachi, July 25, 2022 (PPI-OT):Chairman of National Business Group Pakistan, President Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum, and All Karachi Industrial Alliance, and former provincial minister Mian Zahid Hussain on Monday said the constant appreciation of the dollar can bankrupt Pakistan like Sri Lanka so all possible steps should be taken to contain it.

The central bank should not play the role of a silent spectator to the depreciation of the rupee while the government should act against the black sheep of the currency market benefitting from uncertainty, he said. Mian Zahid Hussain said that every passing day is weakening the economy which is worrisome.

Talking to the business community, the veteran business leader said that during the week, the value of the dollar increased by fifteen rupees in three days, which is enough to make the country a banana republic. He said that a prominent economist of the country has termed the sharp rise in the value of the dollar as a deliberate plan against Pakistan that should be taken into account.

Due to the devaluation of the rupee, Pakistan’s debt and liabilities have increased by several thousand billion rupees, while inflation is setting a new record every day, which has made people’s lives hell. The increased value of the dollar is affecting the people and all sectors of the economy, but the manufacturing sector increases the prices immediately, but the people associated with the service sector cannot increase the price of their services immediately, which increases the financial pressure on them.

Mian Zahid Hussain said that as a result of the negative policies of the past several years, Pakistan has become isolated to such an extent that friendly countries are not ready to trust or lend, while important political figures are still far from any political or economic consensus. He further said that the direction of foreign investment in the country also needs to be corrected because it is also causing a shortage of dollars in Pakistan.

Most of the foreign capital is invested in the country in water, juice, milk, food, banking and communication sectors which have no significant benefit. Pakistan should promote foreign investment in technology and value addition to benefit from it, he demanded. Mian Zahid Hussain said that the economy cannot progress as the largest political province of the country is paralyzed for several months due to political reasons.

For more information, contact:
President,
Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum (PBIF)
Tel: +92-343-2226888
Tel: +92-300-8233364
Email: ceo@kenlubes.net

July 25, 2022

Mutual trust and respect are key to realizing true potential of trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan: Chairman PAJCCI

Karachi, July 25, 2022 (PPI-OT):PAJCCI held stakeholders meeting in Swat attended by PAJCCI executive members, Afghan delegation, senior members of Swat, Mardan and Kurram Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Muhammad Naseer DG and Noman Bashir Director of TDAP, Dr. Hassan Dawood; CEO KPBOIT, Regional heads of National Bank and Habib Bank Limited, various local trading bodies and media.

Zia Sarhadi; VP PAJCCI chaired the session and informed the forum about continuous efforts of PAJCCI and its Chairman, Zubair Motiwala and Co-Chairman, Khan Jan Alokozai; both of them have not only provided insights to the government officials but have been instrumental in raising voice of business community to the level of respective premiers.

Secretary General PAJCCI; Faiza, informed the forum that PAJCCI as the only joint chamber of Pakistan has been successful in engaging various chambers across borders to deliberate issues and put forward practical solutions to both governments and trade bodies. She highlighted recent developments where PAJCCI recommended several ideas and solutions to Ministry of Commerce for discussion in their recent visit to Kabul. Several recommendations have been accepted by both governments including border bazars, coal imports, trade exhibitions, exchange of delegations, increase in local currency trading items, barter trade etc.

Khan Jan Alokozai; Co-Chairman PAJCCI and head of Afghan delegation thanked all PAJCCI officials, members of various chambers and government entities for their efforts in trade facilitation especially Pakistan Customs at border crossings for actively reducing congestion and priority clearance of perishable goods in current season. He said that historic cultural and social relation between two countries can be turned into successful and long-term economic partnership, reduce trade with far flung countries and increase the local/regional trade covering CARs. Pakistan can provide access to CARs via Afghanistan with less turnaround time than any other route.

Afghanistan can import items like rice, cooking oil and beans from Pakistan and export coal to Pakistan instead of CARs and other countries. Joint coal-based power plants can be easily set up by both countries to fulfil energy needs. He also provided updates on recent visit of Pakistan Ministry of Commerce where several agreements were achieved with respect to bilateral, transit trade, investment and joint ventures. Issues from Afghan side in areas of high duties on coal imports, chicken and pharma will be raised with Afghan government and will be followed till resolution with priority. He assured his continued support to Pakistan business community to realize full potential of trade.

President Swat Chamber of Commerce also addressed the forum and welcomed them on behalf of Swat business community and hoped that opening of new borders will bring huge opportunities for both sides. CEO KPBOIT Dr. Hassan Dawood informed that supporting trade with Afghanistan with various measures and ideas is top agenda of KPK government and offered KPBOIT platform for various trading opportunities. He also informed about KPBOIT website for raising any complaints and issues of trading community and his personal help in resolving them.

Mr. Zakir Shah; President Mardan Chamber of Commerce thanked PAJCCI and appreciated their efforts to engage diverse trading communities and both the governments. He said that due to trust deficit on both sides several operational issues occur like unwarranted closure of borders resulting in congestion and damage to perishable goods, he stressed the need for EDF to set up cold storages in KPK to address this matter. He also urged PAJCCI to raise the idea of load management at borders and where necessary alternate route to transporters can be provided in case of high load or any border closure to curtail the delays and damage to goods and reduce the loss to businesses. He urged that fresh consumables must be cleared within 2 hours using one window option to reduce turnaround time.

Forum was also informed about registration and benefits of PAJCCI B2B portal where traders can directly source trading partners in either country and upcoming feature of Uzbekistan trader information and their products. Other CAR states will also be added in future by PAJCCI.

The participants jointly recommended to develop and activate dry ports, cold storage and cold supply chain facilities for perishable items dedicated for PAK-AFG border trade, curbing of illegal activities, multiple security checks by either side, wrong and fraudulent invoicing and connivance of authorities with unscrupulous elements hurting the legal trade having potential of over 3 Bn USD between two countries as witnessed during 2011-2015. Delegates and participants appreciated PAJCCI and its leadership for relentless pursuance of trade issues and solutions in turbulent times.

For more information, contact:
Pakistan Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI)
Tel: +92-21-99218024-7
Fax: +92-21-99218028
Email: info@pajcci.com
Website: http://www.pajcci.com/

July 25, 2022

CDA awards contract for development of I-15/2 sector

Islamabad, July 25, 2022 (PPI-OT):Capital Development Authority is paying special attention to the construction and development of the city, especially the sector development. In this regard Capital Development Authority is starting the development work in Sector I-15/2.

In this regard, machinery has been mobilized. Development works have already been completed in other 3 sub-sectors I-15/1, I-15/3 and I-15/4 of Sector 15-I and now the work has started in Sub-sector I-15/2.

According to the details, the survey work for the development works of Sector I-15/2 has almost been completed while the development works will be formally started after the monsoon, which will be completed in a period of 18 months at a cost of Rs 1.4 billion. Will Further, after the completion of the development works of Sector I-15, the allottees will be given possession of the plots by the management of the Capital Development Authority.

Apart from this, the development works of Sector I-15 include drainage system, sewerage network, and construction of streets, street lights, culverts and other residential facilities. It should be noted that this sector has been stalled for several decades due to the non-completion of development work, but the current CDA administration completed the development work by solving other problems including management in this sector.

Now the plot owners who were waiting to construct houses on their plots for a long time will now be able to construct houses on their plots. Similarly, the completion of development works in this sector will also help in meeting the growing residential needs in the city.

For more information, contact:
Public Relations Directorate
Capital Development Authority (CDA)
Main Office, G-7/4, Islamabad
Tel: +92-51-9252614
Email: getreply@cda.gov.pk
Website: www.cda.gov.pk

July 25, 2022

Pakistan condemns baseless comments by Indian Defence Minister

Islamabad, July 25, 2022 (PPI-OT):Pakistan has completely rejected and strongly condemned the unwarranted and totally unacceptable comments made by the Indian Defence Minister at a recent event in Jammu. In a statement, Foreign Office spokesperson Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said the Indian Minister in his remarks distorted the well-established historical facts about the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, levelled baseless allegations and hurled threats against Pakistan.

He said this is not the first time that a senior Indian politician has tried to cast aspersions on the legitimate, indigenous and just freedom struggle of the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. However, he said provocative statements by Indian political figures cannot alter the reality.

The Spokesperson said India needs a reminder from history that the Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognized dispute that remains on the agenda of the United Nations and its solution lies in the implementation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. He said Pakistan will always continue to lend all possible support to the people of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir in their just struggle to attain their right to self-determination.

For more information, contact:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Government of Pakistan
4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9103557
Email: info@moib.gov.pk
Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk

July 25, 2022

Government decides to enhance surveillance for monkeypox

Islamabad, July 25, 2022 (PPI-OT):The government has decided to increase surveillance in the country after the World Health Organization declared the monkeypox outbreak a global health emergency. In a statement, Minister for National Health Services Abdul Qadir Patel said all national and provincial health authorities have been advised to remain on high alert for any suspected case of monkeypox. He said the government has started taking effective measures to prevent the disease.

The Minister said the government will continue its work as per guidelines of the WHO and the recommendations on the basis of international health regulations will be fully implemented in the country. He said instructions have been issued to stakeholders, especially border health services of the Central Health Establishment for strict monitoring at all points of entry in the country.