Shaheen Afridi, the talented bowler from Lahore Qalandars, has etched his name in the annals of Pakistan Super League (PSL) history by becoming only the third player to claim 100 wickets in the tournament.

Afridi achieved this remarkable milestone during a PSL match against Islamabad United at Rawalpindi’s Pindi Cricket Stadium. His dismissal of Naseem Shah marked his entry into the elite group of bowlers with a century of wickets to their name.

Wahab Riaz holds the prestigious title of being the first bowler in PSL history to reach the 100-wicket mark, boasting an impressive tally of 113 wickets. Following closely behind Riaz is Hasan Ali, who achieved this milestone in the current season and currently sits in second place with a total of 107 wickets. Shadab Khan follows Afridi in fourth place with 87 wickets.

Afridi’s feat highlights his exceptional skill and consistency on the field, solidifying his reputation as one of the premier bowlers in the PSL. His accomplishment adds to the excitement of the tournament and serves as a testament to his talent and dedication to the sport.

The Punjab Police has made an announcement regarding the availability of over 300 vacancies across the province. This development comes as part of the government’s efforts to strengthen law enforcement and ensure public safety.

The vacancies are open for various positions within the police force, including constables, inspectors, and other administrative roles. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply according to their qualifications and expertise.

This initiative aims to enhance the manpower of the Punjab Police, enabling them to better serve and protect the communities they operate in. It also presents an opportunity for individuals seeking to pursue a career in law enforcement and contribute positively to society.

The announcement of these vacancies underscores the commitment of the Punjab government to address the evolving needs of law enforcement and promote transparency in the recruitment process. Prospective applicants are advised to stay updated on the application procedures and deadlines to seize this opportunity for employment within the Punjab Police.

After a woman became the chief minister of Punjab for the first time ever in the country, another historic event occurred as the province welcomed its first Sikh minister. Ramesh Singh Arora, a member of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), became a minister in Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s cabinet.

Arora, who is from Narowal district, was given the job of looking after the affairs of minority communities. He’s been serving in the provincial assembly since 2013, making him the first Sikh lawmaker in Punjab. Additionally, Khalil Tahir Sindhu, another minority member, has also joined the cabinet, with responsibilities for human rights.

Over the years, different political parties have formed governments in Punjab. However, the PML-N is notable for including the first Sikh member in the cabinet.

After a decade of international growth and partnerships under the Belt and Road Initiative, China is working with BRI countries to embrace a second decade of golden development, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi while responding to a question by APP reporter during a press conference on March 7.

What does the next decade hold for Pakistani people and what is the development roadmap for Pakistan and other BRI countries? Here’s the breakdown of Chinese FM’s response.

🚀 ‘Hard’ connectivity: Focus on high-quality and sustainable global infrastructure network, digital Silk Road, and green Silk Road, etc.

💡’Soft’ connectivity: Emphasis on livelihood projects, connecting BRI with other strategic plans etc.

🌱People-to-people connectivity: More cultural communication and exchanges between countries, and peoples etc.

As we move forward, Pakistan’s participation in the BRI and CPEC will focus on pragmatic outcomes that contribute to national progress and regional prosperity.

During the LEAP tech exhibition in Riyadh, Pakistani IT companies have made multiple important agreements with big companies in Saudi Arabia and other places. This event, which shows the latest technology and innovations, is happening from March 4 to March 7. More than 1,800 exhibitors and 600 startups from all over the world are participating.

The chairman of P@SHA, Muhammad Zohaib Khan, said this year’s conference is very important. Last year’s LEAP 2023 was successful, with Pakistani companies getting $9 billion in IT contracts. Pakistani companies got leads worth more than $100 million last year, and this year, 70 Pakistani companies, including 20 startups, are taking part, which is the most ever for Pakistan in this sector internationally.

The Pakistan Pavilion has 27 companies, and other Pakistani participants are getting attention from important global IT companies and government officials from the Gulf region. P@SHA has made its biggest agreement ever with the IT association of Bahrain to increase business engagements. Some important deals include Abacus Consulting’s agreement with Saudi digital solutions company Elm, and Inbox Technologies’ partnership with GISSAN of Saudi Arabia.

Pakistan’s envoy to Saudi Arabia, Ahmed Farooq, opened the Pakistan Pavilion, where SuperNova Solutions signed an equity partnership with Saudi investors. Farooq said there is a lot of potential for better cooperation between Pakistan and the Middle East in the IT sector, especially because of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to make its economy more diverse. Pakistani companies are showing solutions in artificial intelligence, blockchain, cybersecurity, and more.

This strong presence of Pakistani businesses at LEAP 2024 is important for expanding Pakistan’s IT influence in the Middle East, especially in Saudi Arabia. The event also had the Saudi-Pak Tech Forum to bring Pakistan and Saudi Arabia closer in the IT sector.

With Pakistan’s IT industry growing a lot and being among the top five export sectors, the LEAP exhibition is a good chance for Pakistani companies to show what they can do and find new opportunities in the region.

Vinky Bashir is a remarkable figure in the predominantly male IT industry, where she has forged an inspiring path from business development manager to accomplished entrepreneur. Her journey is a powerful testament to resilience and determination, as she navigated through gender biases and obstacles to achieve her goals. By breaking barriers and defying norms, Vinky has become a trailblazer, paving the way for ambitious women entrepreneurs to follow in her footsteps. Through her unwavering dedication and commitment to talent development, Vinky is not only advancing her own career but also inspiring others to pursue their aspirations. Her story serves as a beacon of hope for women aspiring to enter the business world, demonstrating that with perseverance and hard work, any obstacle can be overcome. Vinky’s success is not just a personal triumph but also a source of motivation for women everywhere, reminding them that they have the power to shape their own destinies in spite of societal challenges.

Bayer Pakistan’s Consumer Health division recently initiated the EmpowHer program through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony and a “Train the Trainer” session in Karachi. This partnership with Greenstar Social Marketing aims to address the prevalent issue of intimate health problems among women in low-income communities in Pakistan. The program seeks to overcome barriers such as limited healthcare access and social taboos surrounding intimate health topics, which often lead to unnecessary suffering among millions of women in the country. With statistics indicating that a significant portion of women may experience conditions like vaginal yeast infections (VYI), the EmpowHer program is designed to raise awareness, improve diagnosis, and provide effective treatment for such conditions. By training and empowering Lady Health Visitors and other healthcare providers serving women from marginalized communities, the initiative aims to reach approximately 10 million women, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to better manage their own health. This collaboration between Bayer and Greenstar represents a significant step towards addressing overlooked women’s health issues and promoting self-care in underserved communities.

Students from Osaka Public University in Japan have achieved a remarkable feat by creating a flying bicycle named Tsurugi. This innovative invention represents a significant step forward in the pursuit of eco-friendly and sustainable modes of transportation. Equipped with wings and a large fan, Tsurugi is propelled by pedaling, offering a unique blend of cycling and flying. The successful test flight conducted at Nanki Shirahama Airport garnered widespread attention, captivating audiences worldwide. Spearheaded by the Sakai Windmill Association under the leadership of Fusha Sakai, a group of passionate students dedicated to constructing and piloting human-powered aircraft, the project has been in development since 1994 and has secured numerous accolades, including six competition victories. While some may perceive the continuous pedaling requirement as challenging, the achievement marks a significant milestone in aviation innovation, showcasing the potential for fuel-free flight and inspiring future advancements in transportation technology and sustainability.

A school in the Indian state of Kerala has introduced “Iris,” the country’s first generative AI teacher. Iris, equipped with an Intel processor, is set to revolutionize the education sector with its innovative approach. Developed by Makerlabs Edutech Private Limited, Iris boasts proficiency in three languages and the ability to tackle complex queries. Demonstrated through a video shared on Instagram, Iris showcased its interaction with students in a classroom environment, signaling a significant advancement in educational technology.

Pakistan has emerged as a prominent player in the global potato market, showcasing a remarkable increase in production output. With an annual yield surpassing eight million tonnes, Pakistan has witnessed a substantial rise in potato cultivation, attributed to expanded farming acreage and improved agricultural techniques. Over the past three years alone, the country has experienced a remarkable growth rate of over 35% in potato production.

While China maintains its position as the world’s leading potato producer, followed closely by India, Ukraine, Russia, and the USA, Pakistan has secured the ninth spot on the global production scale. Notably, Punjab province stands as the primary contributor to Pakistan’s potato production, accounting for approximately 80% of the total output. The province has witnessed a notable surge in potato farming activities, reflecting the industry’s robust expansion.

Maqsood Ahmad Jutt, President of the Potato Growers Association, lauded this surge in production as a significant milestone for Pakistan’s agricultural sector. He emphasized the country’s successful endeavors in potato exports, with Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, the UAE, the Russian Federation, and Qatar emerging as key export destinations.

Despite the uptrend in export volume between 2015 and 2019, the export value of potatoes experienced a decline during the same period. Nevertheless, Pakistan’s potato exports have demonstrated a consistent 3% annual growth rate, underscoring the nation’s enduring presence and competitiveness in the global potato market.

In the ongoing cricket match, the Quetta Gladiators faced a setback as they were bowled out, managing to score a total of 119 runs. Now, the Karachi Kings will have the opportunity to pursue this target and strive for victory in the game. The pressure is on the Karachi Kings batsmen to perform effectively and chase down the required runs within the stipulated overs to secure a win for their team.

Shabnim Ismail, a trailblazing cricketer from South Africa, recently etched her name in the annals of cricket history by bowling the fastest ball ever recorded in women’s cricket. During a Women’s Premier League match between Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals in India, representing Mumbai Indians, Shabnim unleashed a lightning-fast delivery clocked at an astounding speed of 132.1 kilometers per hour (kmph). This remarkable feat occurred at the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium in Delhi, where her delivery struck the pads of Australian captain Meg Lanning. Notably, this isn’t the first time Shabnim has set such a record; previously, she achieved speeds of 128 kmph against West Indies in 2016 and 127 kmph twice during the ICC Women’s World Cup. At 35 years old, Shabnim’s achievement underscores her exceptional skill and dedication to the sport, cementing her status as a pioneering figure in women’s cricket.